Do mamograms damage women's breasts?

Question

Supposedly most women have "densities" in their breasts. These densities could easily become cancerous. I have always wondered if the great pressure by which they compress them causes these densities or other damage. I've also heard that they are trying to do away with mamograms and replace them with MRI's. Is that why? Does the medical community also suspect this?

Answer 1

"Mammograms Add to Cancer Risk—mammography exposes the breast to damaging ionizing radiation." John W. Gofman, M.D., Ph.D., an authority on the health effects of ionizing radiation, spent 30 years studying the effects of low-dose radiation on humans. He estimates that 75% of breast cancer could be prevented by avoiding or minimizing exposure to the ionizing radiation from mammography, X rays, and other medical sources. Other research has shown that, since mammography screening was introduced in 1983, the incidence of a form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which represents 12% of all breast cancer cases, has increased by 328%, and 200% of this increase is due to the use of mammography.69 In addition to exposing a woman to harmful radiation, the mammography procedure may help spread an existing mass of cancer cells. During a mammogram, considerable pressure must be placed on the woman's breast, as the breast is squeezed between two flat plastic surfaces. According to some health practitioners, this compression could cause existing cancer cells to metastasize from the breast tissue.
... from "Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg"

And, also very interesting on: Effectiveness of Mammography
Is mammography an effective tool for detecting tumors? Some critics say no. In a Swedish study of 60,000 women, 70 percent of the mammographically detected tumors weren't tumors at all. These "false positives" aren't just financial and emotional strains, they may also lead to many unnecessary and invasive biopsies. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of all positive mammograms do not, upon biopsy, show any presence of cancer.
At the same time, mammograms also have a high rate of missed tumors, or "false negatives." Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, in his book, The Politics Of Cancer, claims that in women ages 40 to 49, one in four instances of cancer is missed at each mammography. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) puts the false negative rate even higher at 40 % among women ages 40-49. National Institutes of Health spokespeople also admit that mammograms miss 10 % of malignant tumors in women over 50.

And, with this info, the question is - what else we can do to check our breast health?

More about New Screening Technologies:
Many researchers are now looking for alternatives to mammography. Burton Goldberg totes the safety and accuracy of new thermography technologies. Able to detect cancers at a minute physical stage of development, thermography does not use x-rays, nor is there any compression of the breast. Also important, new thermography technologies do not lose effectiveness with dense breast tissue, decreasing the chances of false-negative results.

Some doctors are now offering digital mammograms. Digital mammography is a mammography system in which x-ray film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electric signals. Though radiation is still used, digital mammography requires a much smaller dose. The electrical signals are used to produce images that can be electronically manipulated; a physician can zoom in, magnify and optimize different parts of breast tissue without having to take an additional image. As far as I know, there are four known screenings: Ultrasound, mammogram, MRI, Digital Mammogram, Thermography.
From all that I've read and heard, the mammogram is the riskiest and the most dangerous...

... I just registered Cancer Survivors group.
Please check us out: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/canlive/ and help if you can, join, or spread the word. Thanks and hope my answer helps.

Answer 2

Some health practitioners think so, but they are not changing to MRIs because even though there's no pressure on the breast the radiation is more with this study. They are thinking in creating a new method called: Digital Mammography, where the x-ray films are replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electrical signals.

Answer 3

You're most likely alright. The mamogram is more uncomfortable than anything else. Mostly on an emotional level. You are doing the right thing.

Answer 4

What is not found from Lack of testing causes more damage.
They are looking at other testing methods to get an even closer more concentrated look.

While a mammogram does hurt if you have fibrous breasts, it is still a necessity.

An MRI runs about $1000.00 A mammogram considerably less.

Answer 5

no they don't damage women's breasts, but if you want to get ready for your mamogram, freeze two 150 pound anvils and lay on a cold concrete floor while your hubby lowers them onto your boobs. Ha ha not that bad really.

Answer 6

They're not supposed to. "squishy squishy"