Effectiveness of Mammograms

The number one concern of women is breast cancer breast cancer and mammograms can help alleviate finding a breast mass on exam.

The American Cancer Society has long reported a need for routine mammograms to start at age 40. Then mammograms continue every 1 or 2 years following.

It is thought that for women under age of 40 it takes 1900 mammograms to save 1 life

The improvement increases after age 50 to 1300 mammograms to save 1 life.

Others argue that the risk of false positive or non-breast cancers that are diagnosed as breast cancers are a huge concern.

Others reports that mammograms are one step in breast cancer identification. Breast biopsies help confirm or enhance the diagnosis.

Some women report that mammograms have saved their lives and more importantly their confidence.

Robert Smith, director of cancer screening for the American Cancer Society, says his organization also is sticking with the current guidelines "because we not only looked at the evidence that the task force looked at, but we also looked at newer, modern data."



Recent Update

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in a given statement, reported that the new guidelines had "caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country," and she stressed that they were issued by "an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who . . . do not set federal policy and . . . don't determine what services are covered by the federal government."

This statement appears to challenge the previous statement by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Aside from the American Cancer Society, others such as the American College of Radiologyand some members of congress have questioned the new guidlines.

Sebelius added: "My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important life-saving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years -- talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you."

Mammograms are a key way to diagnosis breast cancer. Mammograms have been a consistent topic in "Facts about Breast Cancer". Mammograms have been an important theme and has been promoted during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mammograms are a specialized X-rays that looks at breast tissue. Can be done as a routine screening or following a breast exam finding a concerning nodule.

The American Cancer Society has long reported a need for routine mammograms to start at age 40. Then mammograms continue every 1 or 2 years following.