Mammogram Myths
A mammogram is radiation! Doesn't that cause cancer?
While prolonged radiation exposure is certainly dangerous, radiation dose for a mammogram is extremely low and not a cause for concern.
Don't they hurt?
Some pressure on the breasts is needed during the mammogram in order to get an accurate picture. However, the pressure is very brief, and a woman can tell the mammography technician to decrease the pressure if necessary.
I do breast self-examination monthly. If there's anything there, I'll find it!
Good for you! By all means, continue to do this. But mammograms can detect suspicious spots long before they can be felt...even two years before anyone could feel a cancerous tumor. Those two years can make a big difference in terms of ease of treatment and perhaps even survival.
I’m scared they’ll find something to "keep an eye on" and I’ll live in fear.
The vast majority of lumps and spots are benign—i. e., perfectly harmless. 8 out of 10 lumps are NOT cancerous. But again, early detection can make a big difference in ease of treatment.
My insurance doesn't cover things like that.
Call your insurance company or check your policy. Most insurance companies do cover screening mammograms. Your co-pay is likely to be about $20 or so. If it's not covered, discuss payment options with the center that does the mammogram, or call the American Cancer Society for resource information 1-800-ACS-2345 or (337) 237-3736.
I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family.
While some forms of breast cancer are hereditary, about 90% of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
I don't have any of the risk factors.
If you're a woman, you have a big risk factor. The risk increases with age. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Additional risk factors include: family history or personal history of the disease, early menstruation, late menopause, late age at first pregnancy or no pregnancies, obesity, and alcohol consumption.
I lead a healthy lifestyle and eat a strict diet to minimize cancer risk.
While a healthy lifestyle is a factor in diminishing some of the risk factors, it by no means prevents cancer. Research shows that breast cancer is caused by a combination of factors. Some of those factors are
uncontrollable.
If a mammogram doesn't prevent breast cancer, why should I have one?
A mammogram won’t prevent your having breast cancer. HOWEVER, it can make a big difference. The earlier that cancer is discovered, the smaller—and more treatable—it is. If breast cancer is discovered early enough, a simple lumpectomy and radiation might be all that is needed for treatment. In terms of survival, the earlier the cancer is discovered, the better the chances for long-term survival.
Mammograms aren't perfect. I know a woman whose cancer never did show up on her mammogram.
You're right, nothing is perfect. But research over the years has shown that mammography is the best screening tool we have for early detection of breast cancer. The effectiveness of mammography has increased greatly over the years, and has saved countless lives.
We hope you never have an abnormal mammogram and never have to experience the anxiety of waiting for news about a lump in your breast. But if you do, please bear in mind that:
- 80% of breast lumps are harmless!
- If it is cancer, early detection is your best ally.
- Early detection means easier and more effective treatment.
Do something for yourself and for those you love. Get a yearly screening mammogram. If you're due for a mammogram, call your doctor and have him/her schedule a mammogram for you.
If you have questions about mammograms or breast cancer, email us at laonc@laonc.com. | 
