Can radiation from mammograms cause cancer?

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cp418
cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
edited January 2016 in Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/02/ca...

Can radiation from mammograms cause cancer?

Radiation from CT scans, X-rays, and even mammograms can increase the risk of breast cancer

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This is that time of year where we see the continued discussion/disagreements over screening mammography. I came across an article the other day (which I cannot find now) that discussed the stats of repeat mammography induced breast cancer. Now how they determined it was mammography that caused the development of breast cancer - - ????? My question regards the continued monitoring for those of us previously diagnosed with breast cancer and getting yearly mammograms. We already are at risk so I'm wondering if some of us may return to getting a mammogram every 2 years instead. So many imaging technologies expose us to high doses of radiation plus contrast dye injections that are not always removed from our bodies. We try so hard to eat organic and avoid toxins in our food and body products yet get this repeated radiation exposure - - sometimes at very high levels. I realize this is that time of year for me where I get really stressed about my yearly scans are coming up. MRI with contrast dye for panceatic cyst, dexa scan and mammogram. Anyone else share these concerns and questions? Do your doctors have a different view?

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  • Fallleaves
    Fallleaves Member Posts: 806
    edited January 2016

    It is ironic that those at most risk (like women with a BRCA mutation) might end up getting more mammograms, increasing their risk. I would think ultrasounds would be better for those women, and MRI's (although they are much more expensive).

    I've also been thinking perhaps they should change the guidelines to mammograms one year and ultrasounds the next. That would reduce radiation exposure. And there has been recent research showing mammograms are better at finding micro-calcifications, and ultrasound is better at finding intraductal carcinoma, so why not alternate?

    Also, women with dense breast tissue (in which mammography is much less effective) should be able to have an ultrasound without having a mammogram first (drives me nuts that I have to go through a mammogram to get to an ultrasound).

    Here's another idea. Since ionizing radiation generates reactive oxygen species, maybe we should be taking antioxidants like turmeric or melatonin when we get a mammogram, or any other scan using radiation, to counteract the effects.

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited January 2016

    Some of these "scan" protocols I fear are being dictated by the insurance companies. Fallleaves - I really your suggestion of alternating Mammogram and US each year. Certainly like a plan for some of us.

    JO5 - I have the same feeling about full mouth dental Xrays too. I put off until 3rd year or unless something questionable needs to be viewed. Three years I was dx with hypothyroid and wonder where that came from. Now on medication for that condition too. I insist on wearing a shield for thyroid when getting dental X-rays. Maybe too late now.....

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