October 17th is National Mammography Day!

Mammograms detect 80 percent to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms, and all women 40 and older should get a yearly mammogram, says the American Cancer Society.

Many of my patients are concerned about the radiation exposure to their breasts and often question whether they need to go EVERY year.

"Dr. Jones - I don't feel a lump."
"Nobody in my family has breast cancer."
"I'm pretty healthy, I think I would know if I had breast cancer."

These are quotes I hear all the time. Then, of course, they want to know my opinion.

Well here goes.

Yes, I know you do not have breast cancer in your family and yes I realize you will be exposing very sensitive tissue to some radiation however right now there is no perfect test and if you do not have a palpable lump yet mammogram picks it up and it's cancer...there is a very very good 5 year survival rate.

For example, a Stage 1 breast mass is about 2 centimeters or less. If you have larger breasts, there is a good chance you will not feel it when you do your breast exam. A stage 1 breast mass that is addressed has a near 100% 5 year survival rate.

Here's the other kicker, 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer had NO KNOWN RISKS other than being a woman. How's that for statistics!

I also realize that not all breast masses are cancerous and may show up on a mammogram causing some concern...but what a relief when it's just a cyst or fibroadenoma!

There are other additional breast options such as thermography. It's a pretty neat tool to be used along with mammograms and may be able to detect hormonal changes or cancer years before traditional screening.

I'm also going to advocate for healthy diets and lifestyles, good functioning livers and bowels to clear out toxins and stress reduction to save your sanity.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.