This was very helpful information. I understand the difference, and would love more explanation between the risks and benefits of diagnostic mammograms versus screening mammograms. It sounds like you are saying screening mammograms for all healthy women is unfounded, as when a lump is found it is treated as cancerous...whether it is or not. Diagnostic mammograms should be the focus, for women who have specific symptoms or other risk factors. I see the difference, but need to review some of the literature again, as something tells me there is a piece of information missing in all of this. There must be a large group of "healthy" women with no prior family history of breast cancer that a screening mammogram is beneficial for; however, I see your point that these women are being treated needlessly.
I do not understand how a screening mammogram would lead to a woman losing her breast? Wouldn't a diagnostic mammogram then be performed? A biopsy to test for cancerous cells? Isn't there a "waiting period" to see if the cancerous cells shrink or spread?
As your resource (NBCC) states on their site:
"...a woman's decision to undergo a screening mammogram must be made on an individual level, based on quality information about her specific risk factors, and her personal preferences. Women who have symptoms of breast cancer such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge should seek a diagnostic mammogram. Ultimately, resources must be devoted to finding effective preventions and treatments for breast cancer and tools that detect breast cancer truly early."
From my understanding, many cancers are asymptomatic, so waiting for a symptom means that it is not being caught in an early, more treatable, stage.
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This was very helpful information. I understand the difference, and would love more explanation between the risks and benefits of diagnostic mammograms versus screening mammograms. It sounds like you are saying screening mammograms for all healthy women is unfounded, as when a lump is found it is treated as cancerous...whether it is or not. Diagnostic mammograms should be the focus, for women who have specific symptoms or other risk factors. I see the difference, but need to review some of the literature again, as something tells me there is a piece of information missing in all of this. There must be a large group of "healthy" women with no prior family history of breast cancer that a screening mammogram is beneficial for; however, I see your point that these women are being treated needlessly.
I do not understand how a screening mammogram would lead to a woman losing her breast? Wouldn't a diagnostic mammogram then be performed? A biopsy to test for cancerous cells? Isn't there a "waiting period" to see if the cancerous cells shrink or spread?
As your resource (NBCC) states on their site:
"...a woman's decision to undergo a screening mammogram must be made on an individual level, based on quality information about her specific risk factors, and her personal preferences. Women who have symptoms of breast cancer such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge should seek a diagnostic mammogram. Ultimately, resources must be devoted to finding effective preventions and treatments for breast cancer and tools that detect breast cancer truly early."
From my understanding, many cancers are asymptomatic, so waiting for a symptom means that it is not being caught in an early, more treatable, stage.
August 2, 2009 - 7:44pmThis Comment
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