Is the statement that mammograms save womens lives really true? Surely a widespread method of checking for breast cancer is a good thing, right? Surprisingly no one is certain how the guidelines should be structured.
Setting aside the issue of the added cost in health dollars there are other factors to consider. The primary concerns are the accuracy and safety of a mammogram. In fact when routine mammography was first suggested many people reacted in a negative manner. They voiced worries about the effect of long term radiation exposure and incorrect diagnoses and these concerns are still valid.
A false sense of security has also affected a majority of US females. Some women have even given up doing self breast exams because they have such faith in the mammogram results.
It is true that mammograms save womens lives each year, but only 1 in 2000 cases show any type of abnormality. The current recommendations being made by the US Preventive Services Task Force now state that females younger than 50 do not require annual screens unless they have a strong family history of the disease; started their period before age 12; or had their first child after the age of 30. Women ages 50 to 75 are being advised to have mammograms every other year.
Mammograms are very dangerous and not only is the ionizing radation harmful, but the compressions as well. No age is a good age for a Mammogram.