Starting at 40, women should have a mammogram each year. Why? What are the down sides to having your breast cancer checked each year?

The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend that every woman get a mammogram every other year, starting at age 40. This will save the lives of most people. According to the ACR, women should undergo a risk assessment before they turn 30 in order to determine if screening is necessary earlier than 40.

According to National Cancer Institute records breast cancer deaths have dropped by more than 40% since mammography was popularized in the 1980s. Some believe this is due to better treatment. However, breast cancer deaths in men have not decreased despite being screened and receiving the same treatment as women. Better treatment is not enough.

Some organizations recommend waiting until you are 45 or 50 years old to get mammograms, and then having them done every two years.

One reason is “false positives.”

Doctors may ask women to have a second mammogram or an ultrasound exam if they notice something that isn’t right on their mammogram. If the second test is negative, the doctor may call the results of the first one “a good result.” “false positive.”

About 10 percent of women who have a mammogram experience this.

About two percent of women who are tested for cancer have their second scan not conclusive. They may be referred to a needle biopsy. The graphic shows that less than half of women who have a biopsy will be diagnosed with cancer.

Others believe mammograms detect cancers that won’t eventually kill you. This is called “Mammograms that find cancers that won’t ultimately kill you.” “overdiagnosis.”

Based on real women being tested, studies show that this is a rare form of cancer. Doctors cannot tell which cancers can quickly kill and which will not. You can only know if you don’t treat your cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer by starting mammograms later or less frequently won’t be reduced by doing them more often. “overdiagnosis.”

Only the next test could reveal a true overdiagnosed case of cancer. It would be up to doctors and women to decide what treatment to give. Because almost all cancers are fatal, it is important to not delay treatment.

Experts agree that women will die more from breast cancer if they are not screened annually starting at age 40.

One study suggests that this number could reach 13,000 more breast-cancer deaths each year.

Women over 40 should talk to their doctors about the risks and benefits of a yearly mammogram.

The following websites can assist: MammographySavesLives.org RadiologyInfo.org.

 

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* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.

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Fast payment policies are no longer luxury items of the past. It’s a necessity. It’s vital to have funds readily available for serious illness or injury. You should ensure that your insurance company can move at your pace.

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