More on Government Interference with Under-50 Breast Cancer Screening.

[alanesq]

My friend escapade52 raised some questions about my earlier post regarding the Obama administration changing the recommendations saying that women under 50 do not need mammogram screenings

Comments

[_nymphette_]

I actually asked my internist about this just 2 weeks ago, since as cancer patient, I am considered at risk, even at 31.

She said conflicting information - yes it's critically needed, no it's not critically needed - is a result of certain studies indicating that the radiation incurred during scans may actually increase the risk of cancer developing in younger women. they may be free and clear when tested, but repeated exposure could be the very thing that triggers breast cancer in younger women. The doc said that for younger women, monthly breast exams were still the best protection, and that only any abnormality or lump should prompt a scan before the age of 35, and that it was probably best left to the primary doctors discression in a woman's 40's, based on her personal medical history and risk factors (smoker, family history, etc).

Medical radiation exposure is currently the leading suspect in the unusual increase of thyroid cancers in women as well - this I know because my own rare thyroid cancer is non-genetic and origin unknown. We're still learning what kind of long term risks our high tech dianostic practices really pose. I guess I am not shocked or outraged by a recommendation that seems to recommend a little more caution. I'm not saying early diagnosis isn't the best way to save lives, but rather if the evidence implies that too much testing can CAUSE the condition itself, maybe we ought to at least consider the a more cautious approach in regards to younger women.