- checking login information
The Health Policy Cause
628,219 people care about Health Policy
Loading...To Mammogram or Not To Mammogram, That is the Question
Breast Cancer in the News
A new study indicates that breast cancer screening has not been a big factor in reducing breast cancer deaths. But there’s more to the story, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the new research concluded that in countries where breast cancer screening has been implemented, it has not had a direct part in reducing the number of deaths, and attributed the lower mortality rate to better treatment.
Otis Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer of the ACS, released a statement that said, in part:
“First, the study does not measure how many women were actually screened.
“Second, just because two countries seem to share similar geography, doesn’t mean that their breast cancer mortality trends are easily compared. For example, Sweden had about 10 percent greater breast cancer incidence than Norway during the study period. Higher incidence would clearly influence mortality rates over time. Also, while Sweden began introducing screening in 1986, not all counties introduced it in that year, and of course, not all women received a mammogram in 1986. It takes time to invite the population to screening, and full implementation didn’t occur until 1992-1993.
“Third, and most important, many of the deaths attributable to breast cancer during the time period were diagnosed long before screening was introduced. In other words, there was not enough time to measure a population-wide effect in this study.
“Finally, we don’t know how effectively mammography is functioning in the countries in these comparisons. The effectiveness of mammography on a population-wide basis will be influenced by how many women get screened and the accuracy of the screening.”
Dr. Brawley believes that a combination of better treatment and heightened awareness of breast symptoms have resulted in earlier treatment and a reduction in breast cancer deaths.
“The American Cancer Society continues to advise women age forty and older to get a high quality mammogram and clinical breast examination on a regular basis. [...] Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, be alert for changes, and when there are changes, seek expert help. Mammography is not perfect. It will not detect all breast cancers, and not all women are at an age when mammography is recommended. That’s why a heightened sense of awareness is an important complement to regular mammography screening.”
I am among those women who discovered their own breast lump. It happened to be during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 13 months since my previous mammogram. What does all that mean? I don’t know. What I do know is that some breast cancers, like mine, are very fast growing and aggressive. Early treatment is crucial.
If I had been less self-aware, my upcoming mammogram may, indeed, have been how my cancer was found. How aware are you of your own breasts? Will you continue to get regular mammograms? Please take a moment to answer the poll below.
Sources: BMJ; American Cancer Society
Living with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Series
#1 The Lump in my Breast: Meeting the Enemy
#2 Most Breast Lumps are Non-Cancerous: Would mine be?
#3 The Mammogram, the Ultrasound, and ‘the Look’
#4 The Biopsy and Breast Cancer Confirmation
#5 A New Twist: It’s Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
#6 Before the Mastectomy: Planning for the Future
#7 Mastectomy Day: What it’s like to lose a breast
#8 After the Mastectomy: Unveiling and Staging
#9 10 Odd Things to Say to Someone with Breast Cancer
#10 Cancer Battle Plan Phase 2: Chemotherapy
#11 5 Things I Love About my Very Expensive Health Insurance
#12 10 Simple Gestures of Kindness with Healing Power
#13 Half a Year on Chemotherapy and Taking Nothing for Granted
#14 Breast Cancer Treatment: Weighing Reward and Risk
#15 The Radiation Decision, The Long Road, The Badge of Honor
#16 The Healing Power of Nurses
#17 Grieving Son Recounts Mom’s Battle with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Access all posts in the Living with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Series
Follow on Twitter @AnnPietrangelo
Image: istockphoto.com
Read more: american cancer society, breast cancer, mammogram, TNBC, triple-negative breast cancer
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
bet he's happy to get off that thing.
You got that right to the core of the issue.Excelent work.Thank you for sharing!!
Fadi, you are no more vegan than I am, and believe me, I'm not vegan. If you eat EITHER fish or honey,…
meet our writers
46 comments
+ add your ownIn reading some of the comments, I see that breast screening with thermography comments include a reference to "lymph congestion." That would imply that the clinic performing and reading the thermogram was not within the FDA/HEW approval list for use of thermography. Thermography camera prices have come down significantly in the last couple of years enabling just about anyone to purchase one. There is no licensing, or regulation of thermography, only a list of approved uses. Consequently, it is definitely "Buyer Beware" when looking at clinics for thermograms. Often clinics will offer breast screening, then up-sell the patient into full body thermograms...seems like a good idea! Not necessarily. Breast screening with the proper protocol and adherence to environmental controls (two-series study with a cold challenge and specific temperatures shown within one screening in a 68 degree room is essential for the high level accuracy that has been researched) is particularly beneficial because the breasts are essentially a skin organ that respond to the environmental challenge, and contain specific vascularization for the mammary function that is interrupted when malignant tumors form. Thermography is effective for younger women with dense breast tissue. A questionable thermogram at low-level risk would be followed up with a 3-6 month repeat, a high-level risk score (should be numerical and list specific issues) should refer the patient to further testing, perhaps with mammogram and
Scares the hell out of me...
Noted with great interest. Petition signed.
From age 50, women should have a mammogram every two years. It is not a good idea, however, for pre-menopausal women to have one routinely from age 40. It can be ineffective in detecting cancer in many cases; can cause an existing cancer to spread due to the pressure exerted on the breast during the x-ray; exposes women to a high dose of radiation (two films of a breast in a pre-menopausal woman gives her about 500 times the dose of a chest x-ray). We must be very wary of the medical/industrial complex which promotes use of medical equipment such as mammography x-ray machines not out of interest for our health, but for industry's profit. I am speaking as someone whose breast cancer was detected with mammography at age 57. A family member, at age 37, was diagnosed with an aggressive tumor which was not detected by mammography but rather by ultra-sound. The approach of the cancer establishment and conventional medicine is early screening. We should be looking at true prevention and reduction of breast and other cancers by cleaning up our toxic environment!
To all of you who do not beleive in the value of getting mamograms, It is your choise. But I hope the decision does not cost you your life. If you are worried about incorrect diagnosis-get a second opinion. My mamogram was only the first test ---after it showed a possible problem, I had an ultra sound , then a biopsy to determine if it was in fact cancer.
I hope you will continue to see "pink ribbons "-- LET THEM BE A REMINDER TO KEEP CHECKING YOURSELF --- AND KEEP SEEKING TREATMENTS AND CURES FOR ALL KINDS OF CANCERS!!!
NO, there is not a "cure all" -probably there never will be--- but GREAT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE IN CANCER PREVENTION
I believe that they save lives.
ABSOLUTELY GET YOUR MAMOGRAMS !!! I do not need a study to tell me how many lives are saved. I KNOW MY LIFE WAS SAVED!!!!
Obviously, Breast self exams and periodic doctor exams are necesary. Of course exams are only effective if action is taken upon detection. But sometimes there may be no "lump" detectable by touch-- so mamograms are necesary to find the cancer.
I am 61 and I have a yearly mammogram. Is it a preventive measure, I am not so sure but I am always happy when I pass the test with flying colors.
thx.
Wether or not you decide to get mammograms do NOT stop doing self exams! I was horrified to read a couple years ago that the "experts" were saying that they were not useful to do. It is vital to know your own body--ask your Dr to show you how if you are not sure how to do it. I had a cousin who found a lump in her breast during a self exam but because she had just recently had a mammogram her Dr told her there was nothing to worry about! She insisted and only because she was one of the few to have good insurance she was able to get further screening to find that she had a dangerous form of breast cancer! She ultimately died from it after a few years of torturous treatment. She was a beautiful wonderful person in every way and is so missed by her family and friends. the screening and treatment might have given her a little more time but was it worth it? I don't know. The most scary thing to me is to wonder if the mammogram itself caused the tiny canerous growth to spread as she did not have a lump before the screening! I urge everyone to NOT support organizations that claim environmental toxins do not cause cancer(think pink ribbons!) but support those groups who are addressing the true causes of cancer--environmental toxins!
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment
20