Ill-Effects Of Breast Mammograms

Of the factors causing death of women, the second in the list is breast cancer, which is next only to lung cancer. So, it has been a common practice to take breast mammograms, once in a year, for women who are above 40 years and people who are likely to develop this dangerous disease.

With a number of programs that are being hosted concerning this, it was expected by experts that there would be a drop in the rate, but it has not been the case.

It is well-understood that early detection is a good means to save lives but, there still is a hesitation to go in for yearly mammograms. They are taken up only because they have been instructed to do so to find lumps or any other symptoms just at their beginning stages, before they become troublesome.

However, the truth is that, some invasive cancers do not even show a sign, as brought out by a large Norwegian study concerning mammography screening. In the latest BMJ report, it has been cited that, 35% has been reported as over-diagnosis of invasive breast cancer.

This was based on a study of seven years before and seven years after the mammography-screening programs of the Government have been started, by taking UK, Canada, Australia, Manibota, Sweden, Norway and New South Wales. Over-diagnosis on the whole, by considering all cancers, has been marked at 52%.

It has also reported an increase in breast cancer incidences in the period after government screenings. The latest over-diagnosis has been reported in Copenhagen’s Nordic Cochrane Centre.

This shows that all cancers do not have to be treated as their growth might be slow or they might even deteriorate on their own. The BMJ editorial by a research professor explained how a woman tends to suffer due to the fear set in her by over-diagnosis.

However, no one or no screening can differentiate between dangerous cancers and others. But, surgery, chemotherapy and all other treatments cause physical and emotional stress.

This becomes a worst scenario in case of persons whose disease actually does not even require treatment. But, this study should not be used to while away yearly mammograms as the consequences might be severe.