Mammogram Dangers

[eliza61]

I just got a letter today from my health insurance reminding me to make an appointment for my annual mammogram. I'll be calling tomorrow.

 

[LisaR]

I am not here to support or not support mammograms. I am just thankful that I live in a country where I get to decide what I want to do with my own body.

I will say that both my regular doctor and my Gyn have both cut back on how often they recommend mammograms. My Gyn believes ultrasounds are far more beneficial than mammograms are. In discussing this with a friend that lives in another state who is a breast cancer survivor, her Gyn also believes the same thing.

There is a good article in Reader's Digest this month that discusses mammograms that is worth the read.

 

[Feralpeg]

I am not here to support or not support mammograms. I am just thankful that I live in a country where I get to decide what I want to do with my own body.

I will say that both my regular doctor and my Gyn have both cut back on how often they recommend mammograms. My Gyn believes ultrasounds are far more beneficial than mammograms are. In discussing this with a friend that lives in another state who is a breast cancer survivor, her Gyn also believes the same thing.

There is a good article in Reader's Digest this month that discusses mammograms that is worth the read.

I totally agree that an ultrasound is better than a mammogram. It is usually the second step if a mammogram comes back showing a problem. Unfortunately, most insurance companies totally cover a yearly mammogram. Ultrasounds are not covered in the same way and are more expensive. That alone will keep most woman going the mammogram route, but any form of exam is better than nothing.

 

[anniemae]

If ultrasound is more accurate and poses no health risk, why don't they make that the yearly test instead of mammograms? Like another poster said, ultrasounds are usually only ordered if a mammogram comes back suspicious.

 

[crashbb]

I totally agree that an ultrasound is better than a mammogram. It is usually the second step if a mammogram comes back showing a problem. Unfortunately, most insurance companies totally cover a yearly mammogram. Ultrasounds are not covered in the same way and are more expensive. That alone will keep most woman going the mammogram route, but any form of exam is better than nothing.

Ultrasounds work really well as a follow-up - when one knows the area to search. They do not work well as a screening tool - especially not at a population level.

MRIs are another possible screening tool (due to a family history, I get both a mammogram and an MRI every year - mammograms started at 25 and MRIs at 30). They are very sensitive, which is good for lack of false negatives, but bad in terms of false positives.

From a comfort point of view, I actually find it a wash between the two. MRIs have no squish (or only a very slight one) but take much longer and do involve an IV (for the contrast).

 

[TJ's Mom]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32. I found the lump accidentally. I was too young for mammograms. My treatment would have been easier if my tumor was found earlier. I am blessed to be here still - almost 10 years cancer-free. I never missed a mammogram after that.