Shocking! Docs IGNORING Cancer Guidelines

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

It’s a routine that millions of American women follow every year.

You get a reminder in the mail that it’s time for a mammogram… and you head in for an appointment.

But it turns out that lots of women are getting mammograms far more often than they should.

And the test could be doing more harm than good.

A shocking study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that physicians are routinely ignoring national breast cancer screening guidelines.

They’re over-testing women and exposing them to lots of risk (and radiation) for practically nothing.

Fortunately, there are a couple steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Breast cancer screening suggestions come from two major organizations.

One being the American Cancer Society, which recommends mammograms every two years for women ages 45 to 55.

And the other is the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends screening every two years from age 50–74.

However, a survey recently conducted by the Breast Cancer Social Networks study (CanS-NET) found that 81 percent of primary physicians were grossly disregarding these guidelines.

They were suggesting mammograms to women ages 40 to 44 years old, and telling women they should be coming in annually (instead of every other year).

Even worse, 52 percent were still recommending mammograms for women 75 and older, who shouldn’t be getting them at all!

This means your doc could be ignoring protocol and putting you in harm’s way every year!

And all this over-testing can lead to misdiagnosis, additional testing, and even radiation exposure — all good reasons to ensure your doctor is following protocol.

So, the next time your doctor suggests a mammogram, be sure to inquire whose (if any) guidelines they’re following.

Or if you’re in an age group that’s not suggested, let your doctor know and ask why they are recommending this test.

And finally, one of the best ways to detect breast cancer is with a monthly self-exam. Click here to find out how the self-exam works. 

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Clinicians Not Following Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

[2] Self Breast Exam

[3] Risks

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Mailbag: Science-Backed Strategies Target Belly Fat

“What is an effective strategy for gradually eliminating (white) belly fat?” —Slimming Down Hi Slimming, White fat is the most common fat in the body, and its primary purpose is to store energy. But belly fat isn’t just about appearances. Having too much of it is associated with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and...

Read This

Just 35 Minutes Could SAVE Your Brain

For years, I’ve told you exercise is non-negotiable for healthy aging. As you age you must move more to protect your body and brain. Now, groundbreaking new research confirms what I’ve been saying all along. Exercise can slash your dementia risk—but with a surprising twist that eliminates your last excuse for not moving more. Dementia...

Read This

The One Supplement I'll Never Stop Taking

Omega-3s are one of the few supplements I’ve continued to take ever since I graduated from medical school. And now, exciting new research confirms what I’ve suspected all along… This remarkable fatty acid doesn’t only support heart and brain health—it could, quite literally, slow down the aging process itself. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats your body...

Read This

Your Morning Tea Pulls DOUBLE DUTY as a Heavy Metal Detox

You don’t need another reason to drink tea, do you? You already know tea helps with everything from boosting heart health and metabolism to reducing stress. It’s packed with antioxidants, calms inflammation, and gives you a gentler caffeine boost than coffee. But now researchers have discovered yet another benefit of your daily drink—and this one...

Read This

Fiery Spice Cools Painful IBD Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s can cause inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine...

Read This

Ditch the Coffee Dehydration Myth and Enjoy Java Again

I can’t imagine starting my day without a delicious steaming cup of hot coffee. If you’re also a coffee fan, I bet you’ve been treated to well-meaning warnings by the non-Java drinkers… “Coffee is so dehydrating!” “It’s basically stealing water from your body!” “You need to drink extra water to make up for it!” Even...

Read This

Research Reveals Loneliness is “Poisoning” Your Blood

We humans are social creatures. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences—which help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. Yet, loneliness and social isolation are alarmingly common in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 25 percent of older people experience social isolation. But new...

Read This

Mailbag: Ease Invisible Pain and Fatigue NATURALLY

“Why isn’t there more research on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? It’s mainly a woman’s condition and too many health professionals tell us “It’s all in your head,” or words to that effect.”   —Fatigued and Fuming Hi Fuming, Your frustration over the lack of research and dismissive attitudes when it comes to fibromyalgia and...

Read This

Junk Food DOUBLES Risk of Embarrassing Leaks

Ladies, if you need another reason to think twice before hitting the drive-thru, I have one for you. A new study found that a fast-food habit can contribute to a problem most women would rather not talk about—urinary incontinence. That’s right, those embarrassing “oops” moments when you laugh, cough, or exercise could be directly linked...

Read This

Common Fungus Beats the Flu at Its Own Game

Big Pharma pushes annual flu shots like your life depends on it. What’s more, they insist expensive antivirals are your only defense against influenza. But Mother Nature is hiding a more effective solution right under our noses—or rather, under forest floors and in grocery store produce sections. There’s growing evidence that the humble mushroom is...

Read This