Mammography Guidelines Are Raising Eyebrows Everywhere

Recent mammogram guidelines given by U.S. Preventive Service Task Force about mammogram screening for the women were released in November,2009. The task force viewed that doctors need not advice mammograms for women below 50 years of age, and for those above that age, screening should be done after two years. The reason behind this is that screening in the early ages can lead to unnecessary biopsies and false alarms. However, the American Cancer Society objected the Governments opinion and challenged them to support their opinion why women above 40 should continue being recommended for mammogram screening following these mammogram guidelines.

More questions on mammogram guidelines.

If a woman who is presently 60 years old had followed mammogram guidelines to have a mammogram screening after two years from when she was 40 years, she would have permitted to be exposed to radiation for a total number of 13 times. We all know that exposure to radiation creates a risk and can lead t developing of cancer cells. This makes one to question the number of women diagnosed and resulted to breast surgery or biopsies unnecessarily or the number of women in their 40s who have agreed to undergo through chemotherapy or surgery. Hence these mammogram guidelines should be clearly elaborated.

It has been established that breast cancer is among the highest rated cause of death for most women in America; hence mammogram guidelines may do when the cancer is detected early. In any case, testing recommendation should not only be principled primarily on ones age, but better mammogram guidelines should be developed so as not to mislead patients. The American cancer society panel said that breast-self examinations were not a necessity and women should be discouraged to undergo them. A mammogram is only essential when a woman's doctor is very concerned on an unusual breast lump or other symptoms, hence following these mammogram guidelines.

Preventive measures, ignoring the mammogram guidelines

When one tries to really ignore the mammogram guidelines, one should carefully take care of him or herself and weigh other options before settling for a mammogram screening session. This is because lately, patients are going into unnecessary tests as they are overtaken by uncertainity and fear. Weighing other options is a brilliant idea before settling for any medical procedure or following these mammogram guidelines. We should be aware that breast cancer does not choose a male or female therefore, when a family history of cancer is evident, patient should get various testing options and be allowed to choose with no intimidation.

It is quite devastating that for the last 20 years mammograms on women above 40 years are unnecessary performed. This raises questions about other mistakes being done unknowingly. Hence clear mammograms guidelines should be made so as not to mislead patients.

Sources

1. Doctors Divided Over New Mammogram Guidelines, foxnews.com/story
2. In wake of mammography guidelines, U.S. health task force faces new scrutiny, washingtonpost.com