Breast Cancer
Adding a mammogram to a routine of careful breast examination does not improve breast cancer survival rates. This was determined by analyses of large population studies from several countries:
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Review." Concluded very little or no reduction in the incidence of advanced cancers with screening. Gøtzsche PC, Jørgensen KJ. Screening for breast cancer with mammography. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD001877. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001877.pub5. Link;
- "Effect of Three Decades of Screening Mammography on Breast-Cancer Incidence." Concluded that mammograms have little to no influence in the reduction of the number of women who ultimately die of breast cancer. In 2012, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study by Dr Archie Bleyer, MD from The Oregon Health Sciences Center, and his co-author, Dr H. Gilbert Welch, M.D., M.P.H., from Dartmouth. Their findings challenged the validity of mammogram screenings. Bleyer A, Welch HG. (Nov 2012) Effect of Three Decades of Screening Mammography on Breast-Cancer Incidence. N Engl J Med 2012; 367:1998-2005. Link
- "Twenty five year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality of the Canadian National Breast Screening Study." Concluded that annual mammography does not result in a reduction in breast cancer specific mortality for women aged 40-59 beyond that of physical examination alone or usual care in the community. Miller Anthony B, Wall Claus, Baines Cornelia J, SunPing, To Teresa, Narod Steven A et al (2014) Twenty five year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality of the Canadian National Breast Screening Study: randomised screening trial BMJ; 348 :g366 Link
Almost half of women have dense breast tissue which shows white on a mammogram - - - as do tumors and calcifications!
Many states in the U.S. now require mammogram providers to inform women if they have dense breast tissue
For more details on dense breast tissue, see: What are the causes / risk factors of breast cancer
Dr. Johnnie Ham, MD, former Lieutenant Colonel of the US Army Medical Corps, is the Medical Director of Coastal Prestige Medical Services, Pismo Beach, CA. :
Health hazards of mammography have been well established.
Annual breast mammogram (4 x-ray films/breast) results in 0.4 mSv (0.04 rad) of radiation. This is 4 times the amount of a chest x-ray (0.1 mSv); although excessive radiation to the chest is a medium risk factor for breast cancer, we should consider that we are naturally exposed to about 3 mSv of radiation / year.
In his book "Criminal Indifference of the FDA to Cancer Prevention", Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition warns that the American Cancer Society has close financial ties to the makers of mammography equipment and their multibillion dollar mammogram screening industry.
• ACS commonly promotes the interests of mammogram machine and film manufacturers, including Siemens, DuPont, General Electric, Eastman Kodak and Piker
• Dr. Epstein and Rosalie Bertell, Ph.D. of the International Physicians for Humanitarian Medicine stated:
"The mammography industry conducts research for the ACS and its grantees, serves on its advisory boards, and donates considerable funds.
DuPont also is a substantial backer of the ACS Breast Health Awareness Program; sponsors television shows and other media productions touting ACS literature for hospitals, clinics, medical organization, and doctors; produces educational films; and aggressively lobbies Congress for legislation promoting the nationwide availability of mammography services."
Thermography involves using an infrared heat-sensing scanner/camera to graphically depict temperature variations of breast tissue using different colors. Available since the 1960's, the technology has now much improved.
• Painless
• Risk-free. No mechanical compression of tissue, non-invasive, no ionizing radiation.
• Early detection. Enables earlier healing protocols; detection as much as 10 years earlier than mammogram or physical exam;
Detects physiological / metabolic changes. As opposed to anatomical changes
