The Pros and Cons of Mammograms

Fact Boxes can quantify benefits and harms in a clear and accessible format.

This wraps up my series on mammograms, the rest is up to you. How important are false-positives or overdiagnosis to you? That’s something you have to answer for yourself. To review any of my in-depth mammogram series, here they all are:

I’ve got tons of videos on diet and lifestyle approaches to preventing and treating breast cancer, just stick it in the search bar up top and all will be revealed.

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

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[kemu-G]

I don't know how many times I have commented towards Dr. Greger's tireless work on the better understanding of medical studies....but once again, THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! May your grandmother rest in peace knowing her grandson is doing more good in the world than harm!! THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

[tamcon]

1:29 Holy God! This is outrageous, and that the outcomes for mammograms isn't much more ethically driven, it's no wonder this series was necessary! TFP.

[Benighted.]

Thank you, Dr Greger. This series is telling us more than just about this type of screening: how investigative procedures are used on the current medical paradigm.

[patty-cfjj]

At my last Pap smear I was told they don’t perform pelvic exams any longer and after a certain age only a Pap smear once every three years and since I had a negative papilloma virus test I only need one every 5 years. What happened to stressing for decades how important it was for every woman to have a yearly Pap smear no matter her age. Well, they find it only leads to unnecessary procedures and too many false positives. I keep thinking the day will come when the yearly mammogram will go the same route.

[OldmanXan]

I believe my sister was one of those that got breast cancer from the screening. She went for her mamography as usual like she was told to by her doctor and was told that it was negative, then 6 months later she had a huge breast tumor. She then had the breast completely removed but the cancer had spread to her brain and she had part of her brain removed but then died anyway. I will NEVER let my wife get another mamogram. By the way I attened radiation safety meetings at one of the hospitals I worked in as a radiology engineer and the physicist that held the meetings told us that it was possible for a person to get breast cancer from a mamography so this is not new information to me. Thank you for letting others know.

[ArtyAntics]

I think you need to be nominated for the noble prize for your contribution to telling the truth in the medical field.

[TracyUnplugged]

I have your book ‘How not to die’ along with the cookbook. Thank U so much for this information.

[Caroline_T]

I am glad that instinctually I have stayed away from mammograms (aside from one just before my implants. ) I eat a healthy mostly raw vegan plant based diet. Feeling good at 49! Thank

[iuiui-iuiui]

could you do some fact-boxing about vaccines? especially the ones against flu?

[risafey]

"saving the lives of women..." by...switching to a whole food plant-based vegan diet!! (8

[dianegrace.]

He has many videos as every single woman in US is always told they MUST get mammogram screening. Much like the vaccinations that were a must have for kids for many years. What he is sharing is very important for it impacts every single woman and the population of women is large. So sorry guys - important if you have children and if you have a mother

[maureenk]

Another great video. Thank you so much.

[dawnrobbins]

Excellent. Thank you. I appreciate your efforts!

[mirschultz]

My first mammo at age 35 showed a mass. I had surgery. Benign. I stopped having mammos some years back after researching pros/cons. My family has not one woman who has ever had breast cancer. My older sisters (19 and 12 years older) don't have any incident, currently. The mammos pre-menopause were horribly painful due to my fibrocystic boobs. I mean, horribly painful--tears, painful. And I'd have bruises after. I have G-cup boobies. When they get smooshed, it hurts like hell.

The stress of that first mammo with my husband terrified I'd have cancer was scary enough, thanks.

[TheRealDannAlexander]

If you are “tired” of this series, then don’t watch it. You complainers just enjoy being miserable.

[christianthomsen]

In the east there are not many who gets breast cancer compared to the west, i read someting about it was because they use much tumeric and dont eat so much meat as we do in the west.

[Melanie____]

If you find a fibroadenoma they want to do mammograms even after ultrasound gives result as fibroadenoma. What are the risks benefits in these cases?

[JHancock]

I get so angry. This series has made me soooo livid. Thanks Dr. G. at least there is one Doc out there that actually gives a sh*t about human (and animal) life.

[laurenbeckerle]

So...am I understanding this right...women who have no risk factors should make their own decision about getting mammograms. But women who have risk factors should still get them? I’m 33, I’ve gotten mammograms since I was 31. My mother had breast cancer at 41. I had to cancel my mammogram recently because of schedule issues, I’ve rescheduled....but your videos are making me skeptical and second guess the yearly mammogram. Not to mention the $330 bill I just got for last years mammogram/ultra sound for my super dense boobs.

[RD-hvhp]

So what should people do to screen themselves for Cancer if mammograms don't help?