Mammography Reduces Breast Cancer Mortality
Regular mammograms contributed to a whopping 63% decline in breast cancer deaths according to a study that looked at this issue in two Swedish counties over a 29 year period.
This particular study (published in the journal Cancer 91 [9]: 1724-31, 2001) was based on data from 1968 to 1996. This spans the time periods before mammograms were readily available through the last twelve years, when they were offered and encouraged regularly to women between the ages of 40 and 74.
Fewer deaths related to breast cancer are about 70% due to earlier detection and 30% due to improvements in therapy.
Some women worry that the exposure to radiation that is associated with a mammogram, or the pressure on the breast tissue during the procedure could contribute to the development of cancer. Others avoid mammograms because they do not want to know if they have a problem or because they do not want to subject themselves to the discomforts of the procedure. However, it appears that avoiding mammograms significantly raises a woman's risk of dying of breast cancer.
Regular self breast exams and mammograms at least every two years after the age of 40 could save your life or the life of a woman you love. Be brave and take care of yourself and your family!