5 Things All Women Should Know About Mammograms
One of the longest and largest studies conducted in the field of mammography that involves 90,000 women in 25 years finally concluded that mammograms have no impact on breast cancer mortality. The study revealed that the death rate from breast cancer is the same between those who did not receive an annual mammogram and to those who did while 22 percent that is screen-detected breast cancers were over-diagnosed that eventually leads to unnecessary treatments. The researchers also concluded that “the data suggest that the value of mammography screening should be reassessed.”
There is also a big question about whether mammography screening really benefits women. According to a Cochrane Collaboration review, it was found out that there is no evidence that mammography screening affects the overall mortality on breast cancer patients.
In the U.S., the American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women considered as average-risk starting at the age of 40. On the other hand, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammogram screening for women at the age of 50 at an interval of every other year.
These recommendations confuse women whether mammogram screening can really be of help or in contrary, be harmful. This is the reason why the Swiss Medical Board made a straightforward recommendation: no more systematic mammography.
Why Did the Swiss Medical Board Do Away with Routine Mammograms?
Based on the data they gathered, mammography appeared to prevent only one death for every 1,000 women that have gone through screening while causing harm to many more. This comprehensive review led them to recommend that no new systematic mammography should be introduced and existing programs should follow a proper time limit.
Sadly, many women are still uninformed that the science that supports the health benefits of mammograms is utterly lacking. Instead of being told of what the truth is, women are misled and guilt-tripped into thinking that it is a medical irresponsibility when they skip their annual mammogram. This tactic is really hard to go against, especially when you are overly concerned about your personal health.
However, when it comes to cancer prevention, doctors are just as confused and manipulated as the average person on the street because of the overwhelming industry and media propaganda that ignores or outright downplays any research that intensely contradicts their profit-based agenda.
Five Important Facts About Mammograms That Every Woman Should Know
1. Mammograms May Not Work if You Have Dense Breasts
Breast density laws have been passed in California, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Texas, making it mandatory for radiologists to inform their patients who have dense breast tissue that mammograms are basically useless for them. A law is now being considered at a federal level as well.
2. Mammograms May Offer Less Benefit Than You Think:
3. False Positives are Common (and Dangerous)
4. Mammography May Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer in Women with a BRCA 1/2 Mutation:
Women carrying this specific mutation were twice likely to develop breast cancer when exposed to diagnostic radiation (this includes mammograms) before the age of 30 as compared to those who did not have this gene. They further stressed out that the radiation-induced cancer was relative to the amount of exposure and dosage, meaning the greater the dose and exposure, the higher the risk of developing breast cancer.
5. There are Other Screening Options
Your Waist Size Is Linked To Your Breast Cancer Risk
It is reported in TIME magazine:
“An increase in skirt size was the single most predictive measure of breast cancer risk, the study concluded. When women went up a single skirt size over a 10-year span between their mid-20s and mid-60s, they were shown to have a 33% greater risk of developing breast cancer after menopause. Buying two skirt sizes up during that same period was linked to a 77% increased risk.”
The Sugar Connection
If health agencies really want to make a considerable impact on breast cancer, they need to focus on sharing the truth about sugar (including grains) and their role in cancer and obesity. Unfortunately, breast cancer is a multi-billion business, and mammography is one of its main profit carriers. This is the reason why the industry is fighting over just to keep it, even if it means downplaying or ignoring the truth.
Avoiding Sugar and Other Top Breast Cancer Prevention Tips
- Avoid sugar, especially fructose, and processed foods.
- Optimize your vitamin D levels.
- Limit your protein.
- Avoid unfermented soy products.
- Improve your insulin and leptin receptor sensitivity.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Drink a pint to a quart of organic green vegetable juice daily.
- Get plenty of high-quality, animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil.
- Pack up on Curcumin.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy, especially if you have risk factors for breast cancer.
- Avoid BPA, phthalates, and other xenoestrogens.
- Make sure you’re not iodine deficient.
- Avoid charring your meats.
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