The Hidden Danger of Mammograms – What Women Need to Know

Sep 20, 2024

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Did you know that over-diagnosis is increasingly recognized as a harm of breast cancer screening? This is particularly affecting older women.

In this segment of Insiders’ Minute, RoseMarie Pierce, B.Sc.Pharm, discusses a study on breast cancer screening in older women and the potential risks it uncovered. She talks about the hidden danger of mammograms, and what women need to know.

The Research

The study entitled “Estimating Breast Cancer Overdiagnosis After Screening Mammography Among Older Women in the United States” was published in Annals of Internal Medicine in September of 2023, and it suggests that a large percentage of mammograms in older women resulted in false positives.

The surprising results bring up the question: what are the limitations of this popular screening tool? And are there better options out there?

While mammograms can be a helpful tool for early detection of breast cancer, they also come with some risks. It’s important to discuss them with your doctor and weigh them against the benefits, so that you can make an informed decision that aligns with your values.

Whatever you choose, know that your health and well-being are the most important factors and you should always trust your instincts and do what is best for you.

Take care of yourself and stay healthy!

RoseMarie’s Alternative Suggestion

I suggest using Breast Thermography as a safer, non-invasive form of breast screening. It is an early detection, infrared device that finds areas of inflammation and detects the growth of cancer cells prior to tumor formation.

I have had this process done twice now from the Thermography Clinic on Vancouver Island.