Mammogram Recommendations: Why the Conflicting Guidelines?

When women are fully informed about the risks and benefits of mammograms, 70% may choose not to get screen, but you may be in that 30% and have a right to decide for yourself.

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

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Image credit: Rhoda Baer / Wikimedia

[mymanson]

Thank you Dr Greger, this could not have come at a better time. This week my new doctor sent me off to get a mammogram when she saw that I had recently turned 40. When I refused, she made me feel guilty and made quite unethical remarks about how I could have cancer. I had to repeat 4 times that I did not want a mammogram at this point in my life. She just rolled her eyes in disbelief. I find it so disrespectful that doctors do not allow the patients to make the decisions about their own body. My body my business!

[omeboy]

mom had a mammogram. didn't show anything. 3 months later stage 4 breast cancer. thanks mammogram.

[ExpressionsofAwakening]

A couple of months ago I asked a surgeon about the details of my upcoming surgery, and he looked over my face and said, okay you look like a smart lady I do my best to explain it. Thank God I had the smart look for this guy, I guess.

[hammypie]

I had heard something about this in one of Dr. McDougall's webinars. Cancer screenings in general - do your research before you do it!! Cons may outweigh the pros. Thank goodness I have my WFPB diet for preventative measures:)

[kuriosites]

I've had these same questions about colonoscopies.

[pawlet]

Thanks for the scientific explanation for why I don't have a doctor. WFPB!

[skinsparx]

Thank you Dr G for putting together theses very informative and important videos. At 55 I have chosen to not have mammogram but rather do thermology for screening. This didn’t stop Kaiser from hounding me about getting a mammogram. They sent letters and called every month for 3 years urging me to get it done, even though I told them repeatedly I didn’t want the procedure. I finally cancelled that insurance. Women need to make informed decisions about their own bodies and stop following along like lemmings.

[JenDoe]

Thank you so much for this series!! I’m going through this right now - just had a mammogram (that I didn’t want), I was told by the Radiologist it was good, however I received a callback 1 week later asking me to come back in for a “closer look” - just like the last time, 1 year ago.

[eelkeaptroot]

Industries treating women like toddlers, why am I not surprised...

[mLify]

"It is virtually impossible for organizations to claim that they engage in 'evidence-based' medicine when they also must be sensitive to advocacy groups and public sentiment because they depend on the opinions of these groups for their very existence." This is exactly what is wrong with cancer research right now. I know because I did said research for years.

[vtonyvicente]

I see what you did there at the end of this once again informative vid. Brilliant. I'll spread the news.

[yaelv]

Thank you. Now I am curious about the risks. False positives? Possible spreading cancer through squashing already existing tumors? Relying on mammography and neglecting self-examination? I have never done it and the more I investigate the finer I am with my decision... "until now".

[Esther_]

very excited for this new series! thank you!!!

[temperateortropical]

Thermography, not mammograms. Radiation causes, not cures, cancer.

[JoJo-rgkt]

The Gregster!!! Tackling all them social justice issues! Animals, women, corruption..! Bam

[pmw]

I am 66 and am getting surgery next week for a “grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+, high grade DCIS apparent over an area of 4cm with 1.5 cm area of pre-cancerous change on ultrasound assessment. HER2 awaited”

The treatment will be a “ Quadranectomy right breast associated with chest wall perforated flap (LICAP) and sentinel lymph node biopsy”.

Surgery to be followed by radiotherapy. Today, I had a Magtrace injected into the lump. It hurt. The surgeon said I didn’t need a Magseed because he colour easily fee, the lump.


A lump the size of a walnut appeared overnight in my breast about a year ago. There was no pain or tenderness, so I ignored it. I have been a whole-food vegan for 2 years.

I had a routine mammogram about a month ago and I mentioned the lump. The mammogram showed calcification in the breast tissue. I was called back for another screening which was followed by ultrasound and a biopsy.

The lump is now very tender due to all the mauling it has received. I don’t know what to think.

[tacticallala]

If doctors intentionally keep patients in the dark patients will start looking for answers elsewhere.

[farzanatasneem]

Screening is done for patients who are too worried for some disease such as breast cancer which is quite common and there are high risk people who may get cancer at the age of less than 40.
Some patients do not like to ne screened, fine!!
The problem with the doctor is that if u don't advice it, and the patient gets the disease later on, you will be sued for not advicing.
Patients are of different types and even an apparently docile patient may drag you to court.

So all the investigation need to be SUGGESTED and if refused, should be recorded in proper manner.

[CallaLily]

love these videos and will watch the whole series. i saw my doctor last week and was given a script to get a mammogram

[BonnieBlueA]

If men had to be scanned for testicular cancer by squeezing their ‘boys’ in a machine the same way mammograms are done, this type of scanning would end/be improved in months.

Between the ages of 20-48 I had a yearly mammogram because my physician believed I was at a high risk for breast cancer. Just had a 3-D mammogram after not having any mammogram for at least 3 years. Still all clear.