Written By Robert A. Eslinger, D.O., H.M.D. |
A growing body of research now suggests that x-ray mammography is causing more harm than good in millions of women who subject themselves to breast screenings annually–they do this without knowledge of their true health risks. The primary focus has been on the harms associated with over-diagnosis and over-treatment, not on the radiobiological dangers of the procedure itself.
In 2006, a paper published in the British Journal of Radiobiology, titled “Enhanced biological effectiveness of low energy X-Rays and implications for the UK breast screening programme”, revealed the type of radiation used in x-ray-based breast screenings is much more carcinogenic than previously believed!
Recent radiobiological studies provided compelling evidence that low energy X-rays, as used in mammography, are between four to 600 percent more effective in causing mutational damage (genotoxicity/carcinogenicity) than higher energy X-rays!
This is not the only study to demonstrate that mammography X-rays are more carcinogenic than atomic bomb spectrum radiation. Current risk estimates for radiation-induced cancer (principally derived from the atomic bomb survivor study) are based on the effects of high energy gamma rays.
A more recent study published in the British Medical Journal in 2011, titled “Possible net harms of breast cancer screening: updated modeling of Forrest report”, not only confirmed the previous findings but also found the situation likely worse!
What are the legal ramifications for all the “pink” stuff out there–and the doctors who continue to recommend radiation-based screening in the face of this peer reviewed, published medical research (known since 2006!)?
With the advent of non-ionizing radiation-based diagnostic technologies such as thermography, it has become vitally important that patients educate themselves about the alternatives to x-ray mammography that already exist. Until then, we must use our good sense–and research like this–in order to make informed decisions. As far as the unintended adverse effects of radiation go, err on the side of caution whenever possible.
Please share this article with someone you know or love. Also, share it with your doctor and maybe bring him/her up to date.
References:
1. The Dark Side of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, http:www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/featured-october-article
2. Possible net harms of breast cancer screening: updated modeling of Forrest report. British Medical Journal 2011; 342:d7627. Epub 2011 Dec 8. PMID:22155336, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22155336
For more info, contact Reno Integrative Medical Center at (775) 829-1009, or visit online at www.renointegrativemedicalcenter.com.
I’m a huge fan of Integrative medicine but thank Buddha (or God or whomever you choose) that we have mammograms…they have come a long way in terms of technology and if it wasn’t for the annual mammogram, my breast cancer (and millions of other women’s) would have never been caught until it became perhaps a very difficult stage/grade to treat !
Today, there is nothing out there that has been of greater help for diagnosing breast cancer.
Fortunately the amount of radiation dosage given today using digital machines is really quite minimal..Show me where it is medically or scientifically documented whereby the amount of radiation given in today’s mammograms has been attributed to cancer ..unless one is receiving an abnormal number of mammograms annually.
I worry more about the air we breathe, the fact it’s too easy to get guns, and the pesticides found in our foods; not to mention the many recalls, then I do about the potential risk of the mammogram…which greatly outweigh those minimal risks…. The mammogram has and continues to, saves millions of lives.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms
Thank you for your comment Jude. We’re glad you seem happy with the mammogram process. Many people do not feel that any amount of radiation is safe. We all have the right to make our own health care choices. Best in health and happiness, Healthy Beginnings Magazine
I agree….. How we choose to handle our health care is our own choice. It’s just after a tremendous amount of medical, scientific, and holistic research…cooresponding with many renoun people in the medical world as well as those battling or who have survived cancer, all I want folks to do is do the work…research thoroughly. Make your choices educated ones.
Personally, I would rather have the tiny amount of radiation once a year that is used in a digital mammogram than perhaps using another less proven exam method (i.e.THERMOGRAPHY) than to potentially have the cancer missed altogether !
Yes….our health care choices are our own….I fully support this choice. I just want women to do the research before making a choice that they could potentially regret. Talk to people…do the research…read, study the facts and make wise choices that’s all.
Mess around with alternative methods too long and when you find they don’t truly work for cancer, hopefully it won’t be too late to switch back to the conventional.
I would love to see safer or better diagnosis and treatment options for all forms of cancer but unfortunately there just isn’t the amount of scientifically documented material out there to say another diagnosis method is better or has done a better job of detecting breast cancer. Even the tiniest of micro-calcifications are seen in a digital mammogram image and never picked up using other methods. No matter the exam method we chose, what if diagnosed with breast cancer and the best treatment option offered for your type of cancer is 6-7wks of heavy duty radiation…or worse yet, chemo ????
Do the research…there is absolutely nothing out there from a treatment perspective (including holistic, ayurvedic, etc…) that will kill cancer cells like the traditional methods currently offered. Maybe one day when ample research is funded, and tested but until then the old tried and true has saved more lives than not.
Here’s to your health as well ! _/l\_
Thank you Jude. If this is what you believe than it is the best course of action for you. Many people do not believe as you do and want to know about alternative health measures. What we believe is powerful medicine when it comes to healing.
Good Day to you, Dawn Gowery