Hm, interesting. The article does state that the recommendation is for those without a family history of breast cancer and in that light it would make sense not to have a yearly mammogram if there were no changes in breast health and no family history of breast issues. I wondered if there might be mention of the exposure to xrays during the procedure outweighed the benefits of getting a mammogram with no prior history but I didn't see that in the piece.
I do take issue with this statement from the article: "Instead of giving people elaborate instructions to do self-exams, we should educate them to pay close attention to changes in the bodies." First, a breast self-exam doesn't require elaborate instructions. There used to be little cards with three-step instructions that were plastered everywhere in the communal dorm showers at my college and those were pretty clear. Second, it's hard to detect a change in the body unless you examine the body. I think it would be more effective to educate patients on doing self exams and have screening mammograms every other year as this article suggests.
Yes, I found that sentence to not make much sense, as well. I'm all for people, especially women, taking charge of their own bodies and learning how it should work as opposed to how it does work given our penchant for not paying attention to things, but how can you detect a change if you don't examine yourself on a regular basis?
