Do Mammograms Actually CAUSE Breast Cancer?

John Gofman, M.D., Ph.D., has concluded that at least 66% of breast cancer cases are caused by radiation exposure (including that from mammograms). I don't know how he arrived at that number, but you can't argue with his credentials. Dr. Gofman worked for decades at Livermore (a foremost radiation studies laboratory). And he was chosen by the Atomic Energy Commission to head their studies on the effects of radiation.

It wouldn't be surprising if mammograms contribute to cancer. The female breast is highly sensitive to radiation. Compared to other cancer sites, the breasts are 2 to 3 times more vulnerable to cancer from radiation. But not only are mammograms potentially dangerous, they're also highly unreliable. In a Swedish study of 60,000 women, 70% of the "tumors" detected by mammograms turned out not to be tumors. And according to the National Cancer Intsitute (NCI), mammograms miss the real thing 40% of the time.

The NCI has been campaigning for women to get a mammogram every year, starting at age 40. But given their questionable benefit and proven risks, I would advise against it. Instead, consider a monthly breast self-examination (BSE), and see a trained health professional every year for a clinical breast examination (CBE).

- Jon Herring
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This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #1628, 01-17-06], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.