Do mammograms do any harm? If not, and if they have the potential to pick up some cancers, I would rather have one. I don’t think this report goes into enough detail about the pros and cons for me to decide to skip having a mammogram.
Also, the report shows “Translated into real numbers, that means screening mammography helps 4,000 to 18,000 women each year.” That is as the writer suggests definitely not an inconsequential number. Furthermore, the report goes on to say there are some “aggressive cancers, so-called bad cancers, that are deadly whether they are found early by screening, or late because of a lump or other symptoms.” The report doesn’t say whether finding the cancer early because of a mammogram might lead to a longer life expectancy. Certainly the woman might not be cured and might die because of the tumour found, but if they get even a year or two or more with their loved ones, that would be worth the inconvenience and discomfort of having a mammogram I would think.
“Screening is but one of the tools that we have to reduce the chance of dying of breast cancer,” Dr. Esserman said. This is my view too. It is one of the tools I have to hopefully keep myself healthy. I certainly don’t see it as a miracle cure-all. It is a tool. I think, until I hear there is a downside in terms of my actual health, the hour I have to spend in the women’s health clinic once every two years (we have a free mammogram every other year here) is worth the effort.