Mammogram Screenings: What You Really Need to Know

Before rushing to schedule your next mammogram it's important to know about the most recent research.  Studies are saying that mammograms may not be the best choice for breast health. ​The amount of radiation given to the body can actually increase your risk of getting breast cancer, especially if you’re getting a mammogram on the current recommended schedule.  Mammograms expose your delicate cells to harmful radiation!  I will hear the debate that "background radiation" is worse than mammography.  I say, ANY and ALL radiation is harmful to the body.  Why add extra radiation that is not in your best interest if there are other options?
 
We’ve been grilled for years on checking our breasts every month, and getting yearly mammograms. Guess what?  It hasn’t increased survival.  Do you know what does?  Prevention.  If you read my posts you know I’m a firm believer in “primum non nocere” or first, do no harm.  Mammograms are causing harm to your body that isn’t necessary to reduce breast cancer.  Unlike wearing highly profitable “pink” ribbons for a lobbied agenda, I’ve compiled information that has been proven to work and actually does what it intends to do, which is to save lives.

Breast Cancer over-diagnosis and over-treatment are the rule.  Unnecessary breast cancer treatment occurs at a ratio of 10 to 1 and results in unacceptably high levels of over-diagnosis which leads to millions of unnecessary treatments worldwide. It also leads to tremendous suffering, disability, and expense brought on by the unnecessary surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments. 
 
A Cochrane review performed by researchers in Denmark describes the tragedy of over-diagnosis and over-treatment with a simple numerical example. 
 
If 2000 asymptomatic women are screened for breast cancer using mammography, 1 of those women will benefit from cancer treatment.  This is good.  However, 10 other women in that group will undergo unnecessary treatment including mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy based on the limitations of the mammogram.  The researchers also noted that 200 women in the screening group will experience a false positive result and endure the emotional strain of additional testing required to disprove the initial error.  Altogether, 30% or more will endure some level of unnecessary testing and treatment in order to save 1 woman.  Clearly, we need a better way to diagnose malignant breast tumors without harming so many other women.
 
The first thing all women should do if they haven’t yet is get a thermography scan, or even better a NLS bioresonance scan (see HERE).  Thermography scans use a digital infrared thermal imaging to detect and record infrared heat from the surface of the body.  Abnormal cell clusters that lead to breast cancer have an increased blood supply that elevates the temperature of the skin over that area.  A thermography scan can catch breast cancer approximately 8 years before a lump is even present!  The NLS (non-linear system analysis) scan detects cell changes at a quantum level. If this sounds too science-fiction for you it's not.  We use this technology already in MRI or EEG tests.  NLS bioresonance is used without the negative side effects that mammograms or x-ray technology gives.  
 
Just like every other disease prevention strategy, diet and lifestyle changes are required.  This is imperative for health-maintenance and healing.  Decrease or eliminate as many toxins that enter the body. This includes emotional or physical stress.
 
Next, adding the following supplements to your daily intake has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer:
 
Vitamin D3 - Increasing your vitamin D3 daily has been shown to reduce breast cancer by 77% within 4 years.
 
Turmeric – Increasing turmeric into your diet (or through supplements) can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50%.
 
Flax seeds – 3 Tbs for 3 weeks or more.  Decreased the size of breast cancer tumors in every woman tested.
 
Animal-based Omega 3 fats – (example: krill oil)
 
One thing to look into is your iron levels – Too much iron in post-menopausal women can increase risk.  If you have breast cancer and post-menopausal, have your Ferritin level checked.
 
We’ve heard it before, but yes, self-checks are important.  Check your breasts for any changes.  Get to know what they feel like and have awareness for anything new.  
 
This list includes:  

• A new lump or hard knot found in your breast or armpit
• Dimpling, puckering or indention in your breast or nipple
• Change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast
• Swelling or thickening of the breast
• Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
• Nipple discharge, especially any that is bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple
• Changes in your nipple such as tenderness, pain, turning or drawing inward, or pointing in a new direction
• Any suspicious changes in your breasts

 
If you find changes in your breast give your doctor a call.  If they agree an area is suspicious they will send you to get an ultrasound.  If the ultrasound detects something a biopsy is the next step.
 
A bit about radiation – In Dr. Christine Horner’s book, “Waking the Warrior Goddess” she mentions “a European study published in 2012 found that when those who have the genetic predisposition for breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation) are exposed to any diagnostic radiation before age thirty, their risk of breast cancer increases by 90 percent."
 
The study also found that a history of mammography before age thirty raised the risk by 43 percent. 
 
"A newer type of mammogram touted to be much better at detecting breast cancers, called tomosynthesis, takes a 3-D image of the breast. You definitely want to avoid this type of mammogram because it uses three times more radiation than the standard type!" 
 
It’s important to stay aware to the health of your breasts.  Does deodorant with aluminum cause breast cancer?  The truth is that the toxins in anything can cause bodies to react with abnormal cell development.  Just like my body reacts to pineapple, yours may not.  Nothing is a “cure-all”.  Remember that.  Every body requires different things.  The point is just to be aware of your body and subtle changes that happen when your body is in dis-ease.

A plethora of information about cancer is in our new book, the Handbook of Home Remedies:  Effective Natural Health Tips for Autism, Blood Pressure, Cancer, Depression, Pain, and More.  Find it HERE.

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Elaine Evenhouse