Breast Cancer Screening Without Radiation
Mammogram use is decreasing because repeatedly exposing women to even small amounts of radiation is known to cause breast cancer, as well as detect it. Studies show that this non-invasive alternative form of screening could soon become the initial breast screening tool of choice for pre-menopausal women.
The use of mammograms has dropped following recommendations by a medical task force that women in their 40s may not need to get breast cancer screenings every year. Studies suggest that fewer physicians are recommending annual mammograms for women in their 40s, and that fewer patients in that age group are getting screened.
In November of 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a federal advisory board, said that yearly mammograms should not necessarily be automatic at age 40. They did recommend routine mammography screenings every two years for women ages 50 to 74.
CNN reports:
“Mammograms are less effective in detecting growths in younger women, whose breasts may be denser. The screening gets better with older women because breast tissues change over time. As a result, some women experience false positives, anxiety and unnecessary biopsies because of mammograms, according to data.”
Meanwhile, more and more clinical studies are showing that an alternative, noninvasive breast cancer screening test – thermography – could soon become the initial breast screening tool for pre-menopausal women.
Learn More:
Breast Health 101 offers dietary & environmental suggestions, as well as breast diagnostic tools information
Better Health Through Bra Free Living suggests how bras can contribute to a decline in breast health
See the Thermography Category of our Alternative Health Directory to find a practitioner near you
See the Women’s Health Category for additional practitioners
