You probably saw the recent article in the news that "mammograms may increase the risk for breast cancer in some women", for example http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/mammograms-boost-breast-cancer-risk-women/story?id=17181774#.UFnZxELDPww. Many women have asked me about it.
This "news item" paraphrases a very interesting study reported in the British Medical Journal (open access) http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5660?g=widget_default#ref-1.
The study included 1993 women >18 years with either BRCA 1 or 2 mutations from France, UK and the Netherlands. They found that radiation, even from a mammogram, increased the risk of breast cancer by 43%, if performed before the age of 30. Importantly, there was no increased risk associated with mammograms after the age of 30 years.
We have known for some time that radiation, in women, at a young age increases breast cancer risk http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15642178?dopt=Abstract&access_num=15642178&link_type=MED, but this new study suggests at a lower dose than previously thought. It is important to note that these were women with a genetic mutation who may be more sensitive to radiation effects. For whatever reason, mammograms before the age of 30 may not be the best option for BRCA 1 and 2 mutation carriers.
Fortunately we now have other options to offer these women and can give each an individualized breast health plan for screening and risk reduction! We can determine whether whole breast ultrasound, MRI or other screening is best, tailoring our recommendation to each patient.
Together we can prevent 86,000 breast cancer cases each year!
This content is general information and not personal medical advice, but if you know someone who is struggling with this issue, please have them call 512-451-5788.
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