Reply #100: I hear conflicting info on mammograms. There's a DR;s column...

[kitty1]

in our local newspaper, and the last article written was questioning the benefits of getting a mammogram, or at least getting one too often.
He was stating statistics about the fact that 30% are missed and that there's a 50% chance of a woman requiring a biopsy at some time in her life, which for the most part turns out to be nothing.
Also, the major consideration being that a diagnosis by mammogram doesn't really impact the long term prognosis of the disease.
Again, this is info from a reputable DR who writes a health column every week. He also states that women spend sleepless nites worrying about tests that aren't necessary and also the fact that the accumulated radiation can actually up your risk significantly for the disease. What is a woman supposed to do? I think it's all about balance, and depends on each individual's history and health myself.