Mammograms Pros & Cons

Mammograms are X-rays taken to detect breast cancer. Mammograms can be used either as a screening procedure or to diagnose existing lumps.

• The pink ribbon is symbolic of the fight against breast cancer.

Early Detection

• According to the Mayo Clinic, more American women as diagnosed with breast cancer than any other form of cancer. Mammograms can detect breast cancer in its early stages, so it can be treated.

Non-Invasive

• The mammogram is a non-invasive procedure that merely takes a scan of the breasts and is done as an outpatient procedure.

Radiation

• There is a small risk from the radiation of the mammograms, if a woman is subjected to a large number of them over her lifetime. Therefore, it is usually not recommended that you start getting mammograms until you are 40.

Missed Cancer

• According testimony given by Richard D. Klausner, M.D., before a Senate subcommittee meeting, mammograms can miss about 25 percent of breast cancer in women younger than 50, and between 10 and 15 percent in women over 50.

False Positives

• Mammograms have a 10 percent risk of a false positive, according to the American College of Physicians. After 10 screenings, the rate jumps to 50 percent. These false positives can lead to unnecessary biopsies.