Your Health: Study Questions Value of Mammograms

By: Melissa Randall

mrandall@abc6.com

@MRandallABC6

A new study by a New England researcher questions the value of mammograms for breast cancer screening. Local survivors are outraged over the suggestion saying it will confuse women.

Johnston native Christina Andrade shared her story with ABC6 News. She says a routine mammogram forever changed her life.

"I figured I was walking in, having a mammogram because that’s what you do at 40 and then walking out saying I’ll do that again next year. But that did not happen," she explained.

The initial scan revealed a non–invasive breast cancer, and a follow up mammogram turned up another, more aggressive tumor.

"At that point I changed my course of action with surgery. I had a double mastectomy.

Andrade credits early detection with saving her life." Said Andrade.

Other survivors too, like Carol Ann Donnelly with the Gloria Gemma Foundation, are extremely upset that anyone would try to discredit a test that she says saved her life.

"It’s incredibly misleading and as women we should be outraged," said Donnelly.

The report suggests that widespread screening for breast cancer might lead to more worrying, and perhaps unnecessary treatment.

"It raises the question about how many of the breast cancers we’re finding may never have been a threat to a woman’s life," explained Dr. Martha Mainiero, M.D.

Dr. Mainiero is the director of the Anne C. Pappas Center for Breast Imaging at Rhode Island Hospital. While she personally disagrees with the study’s findings, Mainiero says if a woman is uncomfortable getting a mammogram there are other, newer tests.

"They haven’t had as much research as mammography has in the general population, but they’re very promising," she said.

As for Andrade, it’s been 2 years since her initial diagnosis. She’s feeling good and sharing her story in the hopes of help others.

"I absolutely tell every one of my peers that they need to get their mammogram at age 40. If not sooner!" she said.

It’s advice the American Cancer Society agrees with. The organizations recommends women start annual screenings between 40 and 44. They encourage women continue until age 55 when bi–annual mammograms are thought to suffice. Ultimately though, the decision needs to be made between a woman and her doctor.

(C) WLNE–TV 2016