Mammograms are a generally safe and effective way to help detect breast cancer. Although they do expose people to small amounts of radiation, they typically will not cause harm.
This article reviews mammograms and their relationship to cancer. It also looks at other myths and facts related to mammograms.
Mammograms are low dose X-rays of the breast.
Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer. The
Researchers behind a
However, the 2016 study and
In addition, although mammograms do expose a person to radiation, the amount of radiation is low.
The American College of Radiology notes that a screening digital mammography is equivalent to 26 days of natural background radiation, and a screening digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammogram) is equivalent to 33 days.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Mammography Quality and Standards Act, and other agencies regulate equipment and radiation exposure, helping keep exposure levels within a safe range.
The NCI also notes that the benefits of early detection outweigh the potential risks associated with mammograms. Regular mammograms have helped reduce the total number of deaths from breast cancer.
If a person is concerned about the risks involved, they can speak with a doctor.
Mammogram procedures are safe. They are a crucial tool in cancer detection.
The
In a practice bulletin from 2017, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that mammograms are generally safe for people with an average risk.
However, ACOG adds that higher breast densities may cause other issues, including false positives, that can have other health effects, such as overtreating a growth that does not require treatment.
The main benefit of undergoing mammograms is that they can help detect breast cancer early.
According to the
- more likely to have breast cancer detected early
- less likely to require aggressive treatment, such as surgery
- more likely to have any cancer cured
According to the
- False positives: These can occur when a radiologist notices an irregularity on the mammogram but no cancer is present.
- Overdiagnosis and treatment: The test could find noninvasive and nonthreatening tumors that do not need treatment.
- False negatives: These occur in about 20% of cases and can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
- Early detection might not reduce the chance of death: A fast-growing tumor may have already spread to other parts of the body.
There are no specific guidelines on when a person should begin getting mammograms. Suggestions from different agencies can differ.
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However, it is important for a person to consider their personal risk factors, such as family history or genetics, when they and their doctor decide when to start undergoing mammograms.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about mammograms. The following are some of the more common myths that a person may come across.
Myth: Mammograms are guaranteed to find all early signs of breast cancer
The reality is that no test is perfect.
In fact, mammograms can miss an average of
Myth: A person needs a referral for a mammogram
Starting at
They do not need a prescription, recommendation, or any other referral from a primary care doctor. However, the person may want to discuss their medical history with a doctor and talk about when they should begin breast cancer screening.
Myth: A person does not need a screening every year if they have a normal test
Many agencies, including the
If a test comes back with positive results, a person should speak with a doctor about the next steps for diagnosis.
Mammograms expose a person to small amounts of radiation. However, this exposure is limited. It will not cause cancer unless the person is exposed to frequent testing.
The potential benefits of earlier detection outweigh the concerns of exposure as well as other issues, such as false positives.
A person should discuss their risk factors for breast cancer with a doctor. They should consider undergoing screening starting at 40 or 50 years old, or sooner, based on individual risk.