What is the Best Age to See a Mammographer?
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
Most people agree that women over age 50 should be given a mammogram even if they have no reason to suspect breast cancer, but it is debated whether a woman in her 40’s in the same situation should get a 
mammogram. This blog will focus on whether women in their 40’s would benefit from seeing a mammographer.
In the United States one of the leading causes of death in women in their 40’s is breast cancer. However, only 2 percent of women will get breast cancer in their 40’s. So, is it worth the risks of mammography for all women in their 40’s?
The risks of a woman starting to visit a mammographer in her 40’s are more that you might guess. First, a woman who does not have cancer may get cancer later due to the radiation involved in a mammogram. This has not been proven, but logic would indicate that it is possible. Next, false positives are extremely common, occurring 20-56 percent of the time. When a woman gets a mammogram and has a false positive she may suffer emotionally and she will also probably need a biopsy or other unnecessary procedure. Also, over diagnosis is possible. Over diagnosis is when breast cancer is found, but it is so small and slow growing that it would not have shortened the woman’s lifespan. Also, a woman may get a false positive from her mammogram, and as a result, she may not see a mammographer as quickly as she otherwise would when a lump is felt. This could result in more advanced breast cancer. Lastly, mammograms are painful for may women. Although, studies show that this does not prevent women from getting a mammogram in the future.
The benefits of a woman visiting a mammographer in her 40’s are plentiful too. It has been found that women in their 40’s may see as much as a 15% decrease in breast cancer mortality as a result of mammography if it is done every 1 to 2 years after 14 years. However, studies to determine this are very tricky and should not be completely trusted. Another pro of starting mammograms early is that if cancer is detected early, the treatment will be less aggressive to cure it, resulting is less damage due to treatment.
The conclusion is not clear. It has been shown that women in their 40’s will reduce risk of death due to breast cancer if they see a mammographer every year or two. However, it has also been shown that women in their 40’s who get regular mammograms are more likely to undergo unnecessary procedures due to false positives, anxiety due to false positives, extra radiation exposure, and unwarrented discomfort.
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Source:
- Armstrong, Katrina; Moye, Elizabeth; Williams, Sankey; Berlin, Jesse A.; Reynolds, Eileen (2007, April 3) Systematic Review of Mammography in Women Age 40-49 Years. Annals of Internal Medicine, 516-526 http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/pdf?vid=5&hid=13&sid=0c832abb-300d-47d2-be2e-d0ba0b23389b%40SRCSM1
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I’m glad to see that you’re pointing out the cons as well as the pros for women in their 40’s. Thanks for your research.