Disadvantages Of Using Mammograms To Diagnose Breast Cancer

The number of people affected by breast cancer is rising in the western world. Breast cancer is caused by the unusual growth and division in cells that can destroy normal tissue in the breast. The cancer cells have the potential to spread throughout the body (“Breast Cancer,” 1999, p.518). Breast cancer is found typically in older women or around the time of menopause but it can also be found in men. Breast cancer is defined by the mammory glands and the growth of malignant cells within these glands. (“Breast Cancer,” 2015, para 1-2). This essay will briefly outline the methods of detecting breast cancer, and then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using mammograms to detect or diagnose breast cancer, and discuss a range of possible …show more content…
Mammograms are used to help detect breast cancer in the early stages to increase survival rates among patients. Eltoukhy (2012, p. 123) says that digital mammography play an effective role in breast cancer survival. As causes of breast cancer are still widely speculated, early detection helps with cancer treatment. Although Depypere (2014, p. 482) states that mammograms are more effective for women over 50. With a study showing that out of 1000 mammograms 3 breast cancers will be detected and only one missed (Depypere, 2014, p. …show more content…
(breast cancer, 2015, para. 3) Inherited mutations can increase a women’s chance of breast cancer. 12% of the public develop breast cancer, a woman who has the inherited gene BRCA1/BRCA2 has a 60% chance of developing the disease. Hilgart (2012, p.15) states that there is a 40%-60% chance of developing breast cancer for women who have inherited the BRCA 1 or 2 mutation in their lifetime. Kay (2013, p. 1) states in younger women having a familiar risk of breast cancer is the leading cause of cases. This is contributed by BRCA being passed through generations. However there are different risk levels such as severity, age and the kind of cancer among