Why You Should Avoid Mammograms & What You Can Do Instead

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That’s why I want to shed light on a very important subject. The American Cancer Society currently estimates about 310,720 women will receive a new breast cancer diagnosis this year(1). That’s a staggering statistic! Many of these breast cancers end up being both aggressive and invasive. One aspect we can all agree on is that early detection of breast cancer is key to ensuring the best outcomes. 

For decades, mammograms have been a screening tool used to detect breast cancer. Does more screening equal better diagnosing? Do the risks outweigh the benefits? You may have debated getting your first mammogram and wonder, are mammograms safe? 

In this article, we will discuss why you should avoid mammograms and what you can do instead. I will share emerging alternatives to mammograms you may find helpful! Having received mammograms for 10 years, I wish I had known then what I know now. Today, I would always opt for QT imaging, but I’m getting ahead of myself. 

First, let’s go over how mammograms work, and why they’ve been so popular all these years. 

Understanding Mammograms

Before I answer the question of are mammograms safe, let’s look at how mammograms work. Mammograms are a medical procedure that uses X-ray technology to look for changes in breast tissue. Also called mastography, mammography aims to help with early detection of breast cancer. There are currently two uses for mammograms. One is for screening healthy patients who don’t currently show any signs or symptoms. The second use is for diagnosing someone who may already have symptoms of breast cancer.

The history of mammograms dates back to 1913, when a German surgeon named Albert Salomon proposed using radiographic imaging to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors in breast tissue 2. Over the following decades, scientists and colleagues experimented with different radio imaging techniques to create the mammograms we know and use today. 

For years, mammograms have been a beacon of hope for women concerned about breast cancer. These images help detect early signs of cancer and may even educe mortality risk. Many high risk women find peace of mind when scheduling annual mammograms. 

Even with these benefits, there are several mammogram risks and limitations to consider. There’s a documentary called Boobs, the War on Women’s Breast that I recommend you watch. It goes into great detail on some of the negative impacts of mammograms. For now, let’s talk about some of the mammograms risks women face. 

The Risks and Limitations of Mammograms

While touted as the gold standard for early detection of breast cancer, there are several mammogram risks to be aware of. Some of these risks are physical. Others have a negative impact on emotional and psychological health as well.

I have personal experience with all of these risks. In 2014, my annual mammogram showed calcifications that were not there previously. A breast biopsy soon followed, which was very painful. If you’ve ever had one, you know what I’m talking about. The biopsy also exposed me to even more radiation. To make matters worse, they usually insert a titanium clip into the area of the biopsy in case there is cancer. That way, they know where to go during surgery. Thankfully, I was able to convince my doctor not to place a titanium clip inside me. However, if you don’t know about this, then there’s no way to have that conversation.

I want you to have the power to avoid exposing your body to unnecessary risks. Let’s examine each mammogram risk below.

Radiation Exposure

Mammograms use radiation to detect changes in breast tissue. The FDA states these radiation doses are low and within government regulations. Even so, chronic exposure to “low” doses of radiation has compounding consequences. Whether you realize it or not, you are frequently exposed to some type of radiation. For example, microwaves, cell phones, and smoke detectors emit small amounts of radiation. Even cat litter and some foods contain naturally occurring radioactive particles in them(3). After a mammogram, the radiation is retained in the breast tissue where it accumulates and damages the DNA. Our bodies were not designed to endure a constant barragement of such wavelengths.

Experts use millisieverts to measure radiation doses. Typical 2D mammograms emit around 0.4 millisieverts, or mSv for two images of each breast. 3D mammograms tend to emit a little more or a little less than 2D mammograms. However, women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are at greater mammogram radiation risk. The same is true for those who undergo repeated screenings(4). 

Mammograms use 2D X-ray technology to create black and white images of breast tissue. Since both healthy tissue and cancer appear white, it can be hard to tell the difference between the two. It also has a harder time detecting cancers in dense breast tissue. Newer methods called tomosynthesis use 3D technology to create a more comprehensive image of breast tissue, including dense breast tissue. Many medical facilities offer both kinds of mammograms to patients.

Inaccuracies and False Positives/Negatives

One of the very real mammogram risks to consider is diagnostic inaccuracies. While scanning for abnormalities, mammograms often pick up non harmful masses. Examples include calcium deposits and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the breast tissue. Sometimes, calcium deposits are misinterpreted as the beginning stage of breast cancer. Likewise, DCIS is a noninvasive cancer that begins as an overgrowth of cells in the glandular tissue of the breast. These growths are often classified as cancers, even though they rarely become invasive. Thousands of women receive cancer treatments for DCIS when it’s completely unnecessary. These false positives create immense stress and anxiety for patients.

False negatives are also a major concern with mammograms. 2D and 3D technology may help with early detection of cancer. That said, it also misses a large percentage of developing cancers. In fact, women with dense breast tissue often receive an inaccurate mammogram reading. This is due to limitations in technology. 

Dense Breast Tissue

In general, breast tissue contains a certain ratio of glandular, connective, and fatty tissue. Up to 50% of women between the ages of 40-74 have dense breast tissue(5). This means they have more glandular and connective tissue and less fat. Both glandular and connective tissue appear white on a mammogram. Those with non dense breast tissue have more fat than breast and connective tissue. Fatty tissue appears dark or see-through on a mammogram.

Since cancer also appears white on a mammogram, it becomes more challenging to detect in women with dense breast tissue. Mammograms struggle to differentiate between healthy tissue and cancerous tissue accurately.  This makes it easy to miss the development of tumors or cysts or even lead to overdiagnosis. This is why I don’t recommend mammograms for women with dense breasts. 

Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment

Sometimes mammograms do detect active cancer in the breast. In some cases, though, these cancers grow extremely slowly, if at all. They often pose little threat and often require no intervention. These types of scenarios are common in women over the age of 70(6).  Due to technology limitations, it can be hard to know which cancers are noninvasive. Overtreatment can be time-consuming, costly, and cause a lot of unnecessary distress.

False positives and negatives are one issue. One of the other mammogram risks is overdiagnosis. As I mentioned earlier, mammograms can pick up on activity in the breast unrelated to cancer. A benign growth may initiate an overdiagnosis that requires biopsies, surgery, or chemotherapy. This can be completely unnecessary and cause women a lot of anxiety. It’s also very expensive, as insurance may only cover so much.

Discomfort and Psychological Impact

Perhaps one of the most common mammogram risks women face is physical discomfort. These procedures also have a negative mental and emotional impact. During a mammogram, you stand next to a machine with your shirt and bra removed. You’ll need to remove any necklaces or earrings. You can’t wear any deodorant, antiperspirant, or lotion that may contain metallic particles. The technician instructs you to place one breast onto the machine. The breast is then flattened or compressed with a flat, plastic plate for between 10 to 15 seconds. This can create pain and discomfort for many women if their breasts are swollen or tender. 

Women who are at higher risk may face a lot of emotional and mental turmoil. As they undergo repeat screenings, there is the uncertainty of what they’ll find. This can create a cycle of anxiety and depression as they try to come to grips with their current health.

As you can see, there are many mammogram risks you should consider. Are mammograms safe? Conventional medicine says yes, but I believe there’s a better way. After years of receiving mammograms myself, I came across better test options. In fact, I now choose these over conventional screening methods. 

Alternatives to Mammograms

It’s essential to be proactive when it comes to your health. You may be at higher risk, have a family history of breast cancer, or you are showing symptoms. Searching for the right screening and diagnostic tools can help you on your journey to early detection. I’ve come across several alternatives to mammograms: typical recommendations and new recommendations. Typical recommendations, however, have associated risks. 

Typical Recommendations 

If your healthcare provider suspects breast cancer, you can request a breast ultrasound. These alternatives to mammograms use high-frequency sound waves to create images of tissues. Medical professionals use breast ultrasound to guide biopsy needles. This helps determine if a mass is a solid tumor or a fluid-filled cyst. Breast ultrasound is helpful if you have dense breast tissue(7). It’s also gentle, noninvasive, and straightforward.

The drawbacks to ultrasound are that it isn’t usually covered by insurance. There is also the potential for human error when interpreting results. Size, shape, and how the edges look all play a role in determining whether something is cancerous or not. Ultrasound may also not be beneficial for those who are obese or have very large breasts. 

One of the other alternatives to mammograms are MRIs. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses contrasting agents and radio waves to create detailed images of tissue. It’s a great diagnostic tool that helps determine the size and stage of existing cancer. It can also help you find other tumors that may be present in the breast tissue. 

The downside to MRIs is that it requires an injection of gadolinium into the bloodstream. While your body filters most of it out, trace amounts can stay in your bones, brain, and kidneys(8). This leads to the potential for toxicity, which can trigger chronic inflammation. Inflammation can contribute to the onset of other diseases down the road.

New Recommendations

QT Imaging

An emerging technology for early detection of breast cancer involves QT imaging. It uses reflection and transmission modalities to create images of the tissue. Plus, it does this at the speed of sound! These alternatives to mammograms align with the microscopic anatomy of breast tissue. That means it picks up information on a cellular level, without the use of harmful radiation! QT imaging is a non invasive, gentle approach that’s comfortable and precise. It’s great for dense breast tissue. Plus, it's as effective as mammograms in detecting breast tissue abnormalities(9). QT imaging also saves a lot of time by reducing your chances of false positives and false negatives.

The downside is that due to the emerging popularity of QT imaging, many testing facilities don’t offer this as a service. You also have to pay out of pocket. Sessions can cost anywhere between $500-$600.  

The future of healthcare is preventative medicine. Prenuvo MRI uses non invasive, cutting-edge technology to help detect problems before they arise. You can schedule a full body scan that captures millions of data points in the body within 60-120 minutes. It can help with early detection of breast cancer. This scan can also identify your risk for metabolic disorders, autoimmune disorders, and more. 

Unlike MRI contrast dyes, Prenuvo uses advanced AI technology to detect tissue abnormalities. They also reduce feelings of anxiety within a spacious chamber and calming music. Still, those who don’t like small spaces might struggle with feeling claustrophobic. You will need a medical recommendation to schedule your body scan. Most insurance won’t cover these alternatives to mammograms. A whole body scan can cost as much as $2500. Still, women who are high risk may benefit from all the information Prenuvo offers(10). 

Thermography is a bit of a controversial method that is still being researched. It uses digital infrared thermal imaging to track heat patterns and blood flow to tissues in the body. Right now, it's a bit controversial. However, soon, these alternatives to mammograms may offer early detection of breast cancer. Thermography helps determine areas of increased heat which could indicate the presence or future presence of a tumor. There are also other benefits to thermography. For one, it's noninvasive with no physical discomfort. There are also no harmful contrast dyes or radiation exposure.

Conventional medicine doesn’t currently recognize thermography as a valid early detection tool. Even so, it holds a great deal of promise 11. It’s more often used as a diagnostic tool alongside mammograms. Thermography does have its drawbacks. Due to the nature of thermal imaging, there is a high risk of false positives. You will need to have several scans to compare. Follow up tests may also be necessary. Most insurance won’t cover thermography, so you will have to pay out of pocket. Sessions can cost between $250-$450.

What To Do If You Still Plan To Get a Mammogram?

If you are still planning to get a mammogram, there are steps you can take to protect yourself after radiation exposure. By taking strategic supplements that support optimal immune and cellular function, you can recover faster from mammogram radiation risk. 

In Dr. Jenn Simmon’s new book, she goes in-depth on the protocol for protecting yourself post radiation exposure. This includes Liposomal Vitamin C, fish oil or Omega-3, Vitamin D3/K2, Glutathione, and Melatonin. These supplements help protect from the free radicals generated when you are exposed to the radiation during a mammogram. 

Final Word on Are Mammograms Safe?

Mammograms use X-ray technology in early detection of breast cancer. It’s been around for a long time, and it has saved many lives. Yet, growing concerns have more women asking, are mammograms safe anymore? In my experience, there are far better testing options that won’t leave you anxious or in a financial hole. Some of the best alternatives to mammograms are noninvasive, and gentle, yet still effective.

Supporting your health is a multidimensional process. The benefits of mammograms may not outweigh the mammogram risks. That’s something we each need to decide for ourselves. Whether you’re high risk, or simply want to be proactive about your health, scheduling regular breast cancer screenings can be one of the best ways you take back your health! I recommend doing your own research and looking into QT Imaging for your next scan. 

If you’d like to learn more, check out my interview with Dr. Jenn Simmons. We dive deep into how the current screening paradigm often hurts more women than it helps. She also offers powerful insight on hormone positive cancers as well as the root causes of cancer. We also talk about the role of nutrition and lifestyle choices, and the revolutionary technology behind PerfeQTion Imaging.