Why Women May Not Need Yearly Mammograms

I've written about this before, but in the aftermath of the foment over President Obama's Healthcare Reform Bill, it bears repeating. Yearly mammograms may not be advisable for many women and there a healthier alternatives for breast scans. I've read the heated, angry comments about yearly mammogram caveat in the Healthcare Bill. Women are up in arms worrying that they may not be able to get breast exams covered under the new system. At the risk of angering anyone, let me just state that it may be a very good idea for some women to avoid getting mammograms and here's why.

Breast cancer is far more prevalent in families with a history of breast cancer. And the family indicated is immediate family, such as mother, grandmother or great-grandmother. If your sister or niece develops breast cancer for example, it doesn't follow that you will get breast cancer. So there are doubtless many women who are getting annual mammograms with no family history of breast cancer.

A mammogram is a colloquialism for a breast x-ray. X-rays employ the use of radiation. We know that exposure to radiation can be very dangerous. Radiation is major carcinogen. The delicate tissues of the mammary glands and breasts are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of radiation. For a women to breasts to be exposed to a regular blast of radiation, there should be a good reason. And there is a good reason, many women will say. I want to know if I have anything wrong with my breasts. And I agree, of course. But it might not be necessary to expose the breasts to the painful, harmful radiation of a mammogram.

First of all, the breast exam should always be the first line of defense. Mayo Clinic is now calling breast self-exams 'optional' but they do state that knowing your breast composition, density, and 'feel' is very important. Awareness of one's own body is essential.

It is pretty common knowledge also that women who have ecologically breast-fed their babies have far less risk of developing breast cancer. Ecological breast-feeding doesn't involve nursing an infant for the first few weeks of life. See my article on Cultural vs. Ecological breast-feeding if you need to know the differences. This is another factor to consider in whether or not to get a mammogram.

There are also safer methods of breast scans, such as MRI and thermography or ultrasound technology.See this article. Please note. I am not saying that women should not get mammograms. I'm stating that mammograms are not the be-all end-all. I am suggesting that we consider mammogram risks, weigh the alternatives and then make an informed decision.