A Danish study published early in January 2017 found that 1 in 3 women diagnosed with breast cancer, after a mammogram, may be treated unnecessarily. 

Experts have also found that women with low-risk, non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are receiving the same treatment as women with highly-aggressive forms of cancer. These same experts believe that DCIS poses such a low threat that it should be seen merely as risk factor for cancer, and not a reason to start aggressive treatments.

In a given year, about 40,000 women will die from breast cancer, and this has been a trend that has remained relatively stable in the past 13 years. Similarly, the chances of dying from breast cancer have hovered right around the 3 percent mark since the early 2000s. The overall lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer is about 12 percent. 

The point is that despite the improvements in mammogram technology, the death toll caused by breast cancer has been left relatively unchanged. 

While annual mammograms do lead to a 19 percent overall reduction in deaths related to breast cancer, there is a 10-year cumulative risk of 61 percent of a false-positive test result after a mammogram. While the scientific community is not arguing for the abolishment of mammograms, it is asking for a revision on how they are conducted. 

The American Cancer Society recommends that women receive annual mammograms from ages 45 to 54, and then screenings every other year after age 54.

But it was discovered that the risk of false-positives increases for people who are receiving mammograms annually. Studies have also found that 7 to 9 percent of women receive unnecessary biopsies after 10 years of annual screenings. The higher risk of false-positives after more screenings seems very logical. Doctors have said that the more you look for something, the more you will find it. In the case of breast cancer, you may find something like DCIS and unnecessarily treat it.   

Mammograms need to be conducted in a manner that is not one size fits all, so to speak. Several analysis models, such as the Gail model, have been developed to take a more individualized approach to determining the risk of breast cancer. 

The Gail model takes into account factors like age at the time of someone’s first period, age at the time of their first birth and how many relatives have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The revised Gail model also takes into account breast density as an underlying factor. 

Besides having a more individualized mammogram experience, it is important that women are knowledgeable and informed about decisions regarding mammograms. Women who make informed decisions tend to be more knowledgable, have an increased quality of life and have a more accurate perception of their individual risk of cancer. 

Some ways that doctors can ensure that women are making the most informed decisions possible is by providing resources such as educational videos or pamphlets. If doctors don’t provide adequate information, women should turn to scholarly journal articles to ensure they are well informed. 

While mammograms are indeed life-saving tools, they need revised to reduce the harm they are causing to more than 61 percent of women. Doctors need to do individualized analyses of patients to determine if mammograms are truly necessary at the time, and be more hesitant to aggressively treat benign growths. The over-treatment of breast cancer needs to be carefully evaluated. While some growths are harmful, nonessential radiation and surgeries come with their own risks.