New Mammo guidelines?

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

I just heard on the news that the American Cancer Society is saying women should hold off on getting their initial mammo till 45 years old.

Also, anyone who doesn't have any (family) history, can go every other year, starting at age 55.

I believe I heard them say that there was no reason for your Dr. to do a physical examination, but take that time instead to talk to you about your screenings (the new screening guidelines).

I have always been leary of the amount of radiation that we are exposed to in getting xrays of any kind.

But they aren't saying that's the reason for holding off till 45 and getting one every other year at 55 is because of radiation, but because of 'false positives'.

I didn't hear the whole segment, but I'm sure it'll be on all the morning news/talk shows in the A.M.

Lovethesea · ‎03-15-2010

Remembering the discussion that I initiated back in August...
http://community.qvc.com/t5/Wellness/Just-a-Reminder-That-Mammograms-Can-Cause-Cancer/td-p/2051433

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

So far the most important part of the new guidelines as far as I'm concerned is that family history is so very important. Waiting is not advisable for every woman, but for those without other factors waiting can mean not subjecting yourself to unnecessary surgery because of false positives.

Listen to the details, not just the headlines - and try to match those details with your own health history and that of the rest of your family. That's the only way to prep for a new conversation with your doctors!

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

Family history has always been important to the doctors I've gone to.

The doctors interviewed for the newscast (this was on the news--not a headline I read) were against the American Cancer societies new guidelines and disputed every part of it.

It will be interesting to see what my own doctor has to say about it.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@Lucky CharmSeveral of the doctors I heard did not seem to reject the report wholesale--that's why I feel e need to listen to the details and then talk with our own doctors.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

I feel this is nothing but the insurance companies getting their way once again - at the cost of women's health. They don't want to pay for so many mammos now that the vast majority of women get them yearly.

As for the family history provision - every woman in my mother's family has died from either breast or ovarian cancer except my Mom who died in a car crash. All my female cousins , my grandmother, her sisters and my great grandmother and her mother.But since my Mom did not die of breast cancer and I don't have any aunts - only uncles and no sisters - i am considered to not have a family hx. I have already been tested after I had my bout with cancer and I do have a + BRAC gene - but they still say i do not have family hx. on my chart. irregardless , they say only 5% of breast cancers are genetic anyway.

susan kay · ‎06-28-2011

Read the new guidelines. It's always confusing when they change their recommendations. Bottom line is that we all have to make a decision that is best for us. This is just one instance, but two days ago a woman that I work with....her sister, who is 60, had always gone for annual mammograms until last year, when she skipped it. This year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. No family history.

Each of us needs to decide when and how often to get their mammograms. I definitely won't be telling anyone when to get a mammogram, because nobody has the right answer!

Sawn · ‎03-17-2010

Do you all remember several years ago when "they" decided the average woman should start mammograms at age 50? Puhleeze, are you kidding me?! I am just furious as I am typing this. My breast specialist says that most women who get breast cancer have NO family history. My own neighbor went for her first mammo right at age forty. That mammogram saved her life, as it discovered a third stage, double negative cancer. She is alive many years later because of it. Her three children and husband would have lost her without it! Insurance companies are behind this latest guifeline, of that I am sure! Ugh! Ok, end of rant!

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

@151949 wrote:
I feel this is nothing but the insurance companies getting their way once again - at the cost of women's health. They don't want to pay for so many mammos now that the vast majority of women get them yearly.

When I first heard this I thought the same thing. It's all about money. Everything is about money.