TV personality Sandra Lee recently released an HBO documentary where she gave viewers an intimate, and graphic, look into her breast cancer journey. It was informative, heart-warming, and – at times – hard to watch. But more importantly, it raised really important questions about mammograms and when and how often women should be getting them.
When Lee pushes for early detection in her documentary, she’s entering the medical minefield of mammography screening recommendations. Several medical organizations, including the American Cancer Society, recommend that women begin routine mammograms beginning at age 45. Every woman’s situation and risk factors are different, but all of the official recommendations stop short of recommending mammograms for all women in their 40s. The official government recommendations from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force say women in their 40s should have a discussion with their physician to make an informed decision about when to start and how often to get mammograms. Under those recommendations, that a lot of doctors follow, mammography is not automatic.
Read MoreThe value in the documentary comes from the focus on early detection – and empowering women with the knowledge they need to make their own health decisions. The key takeaway from the documentary is that women need to pay attention to where their doctors stand on the mammography debate. The option of not having routine mammograms for women in their 40s is based on calculations of the cost vs. benefit, and the concern of unnecessary treatment.
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