Mammograms?

Cancer experts agree that mammograms save lives. It is not clear how to balance the benefits of early detection against the risks of screening. False positive mammograms may lead to invasive diagnostic procedures that are expensive, cause worry and may cause harm. The majority of the current recommendations about mammography timing are age based. Women are not all the same; a more nuanced set of recommendations is being developed. A group of researchers from the University of California and other institutions consider other factors that influence risk when making decisions about mammograms: family history of breast cancer, breast tissue density, history of previous breast biopsies as well as a woman’s own preferences.

A spokesperson for the American Cancer Society notes that public health campaigns work best when they are simple. If there are too many considerations, it is difficult to convey an understandable message to the public. It is clear that periodic screening for breast cancer is important – every woman should have a conversation with her physician about what is right for her.