I'm looking for some input on your feelings about mammograms. I'm still a few years shy of the "recommended age" to start getting regular ones, but the topic has been coming up in conversation a bit lately. A couple of years ago I was reading Dr. McDougall's women's health book (think the title is "Program for Women") in which he discusses his belief that in many cases the negative effects outweigh any potential benefits. Here is a (very brief) summary of his philosphy:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/science/mammograms.html

Other sites with similar comments:
http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/updates/46.asp
http://www.pwgazette.com/kaggen.htm (layperson's perspective)

So, how are we to extrapolate a course of action from all this info, which contradicts that given by folks such as the American Cancer Society? Argh.

I don't plan on getting routine mammograms until I hit 50.

I thought the Mcdougall article was unconvincing making a case against them though.

I haven't had one yet. I am 31. I know I should have by now. Anyway, my mom had breast cancer ( she survived!) So, I think for me, it's risky not to considering that. :-/ I don't know. Seems sometimes you just can't win. If you don't have one, how are you going to know if you have cancer? I don't know all the facts, so don't shoot me. lol..I haven't read the articles yet, so maybe I'm jumping in too fast. Ok I'm gonna read them and maybe post back.



Stephanie

My mother died of breast cancer.

She had a rare form of it, though, which is almost always fatal. And there was no other history of breast cancer in her family.

It is not clear whether mammography would have helped her.

My brain feels like Swiss cheese, because I just can't remember stuff, but someone told me about some sort of infra-red scan that is non-traditional but supposedly as good or nearly as good as a mammogram but without the harmful side effects due to radiation. This might be worth looking into.

Stephanie, most of the recommendations (pro-mammogram) suggest a baseline at age 40. Is it different because of your medical history? If 30's the "new age", then I past it too. :(

I have been getting mamograms since I was about 35, because of my family history my doc said I should start getting them early. My grandma, mom, and her sister have all survived breast cancer. However, I do have some doubts about mamograms and I think the best way to protect yourself is by self examination. This is how my mom found hers and it is how I found two lumps in my breast. After I found them and the doctor confirmed them, she ordered mamogram to verify what we found, but the lumps did not show up on the mamogram. They told me it was because my tissue was to dense, so they had to do an ultrasound to determine the exact locations for surgery. They were benign.
I continue to get mamograms now (and ultrasoulnds) for insurance reasons, we are self insured and I have had to prove to the insurance company that I am OK so they will insure me. :rolleyes:
But self examination in my view is the best way to protect yourself because early detection can possibly save your life.

Very sorry about your mom Joe.