Dr. Mercola July 30 2003 1,210 views
Although routine breast screening is often recommended by public health programs to reduce mortality from breast cancer, women need to carefully evaluate whether the benefits of routine mammography outweigh the potential harms.
The effect of mammograms in reducing mortality from breast cancer is controversial--studies have found a reduction in risk of death from breast cancer that ranges from 63 percent to six percent among women who are screened.
Many women also suffer physical, emotional, financial or psychological harm as a result of testing. However, most women are not educated about such personal risks prior to the test.
Women must be given balanced information about the uncertainties, risks and limitations of screening so they can make an informed decision about routine mammography.
British Medical Journal July 12, 2003;327:101-103 (Full Text Article)
There is no solid evidence that mammograms save lives, yet the public is led to believe just that. The benefits of mammograms are completely controversial, while the harms of mammography have been established. Mammograms are x-rays so they expose your body to radiation and can cause cancer.
You can save yourself the danger and the expense by performing self-breast exams regularly, and getting a thorough breast examination if you discover any abnormalities.
In addition, below is the most current list of tools to avoid and treat breast (and prostate) cancer (causes and treatments for most prostate and breast cancers are very similar):
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