Mammogram Radiation

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

I have looked at literally hundreds of web pages concerning this subject.

Many articles show concern for the amount of radiation absorbed (especially when re-testing is required), while others downplay the concern.

My question concerns how localized the radiation concern is. Is it confined to the breasts, or does it involve the thorax, lungs, other organs, or the neck?

MomG · Regular Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Va

That's a good subject Mike, I have often wondered this myself & since I haft to have two Mammograms a year now, I am wondering what effects it will have on my other organs & how long will it take to show up somewhere. On to a more positive note....I am ONE year cancer free as of January 6th. Very Happy

_________________
MomG DX 11-23-05 @ 65 yrs. old. Simple mastectomy RB 0.7 cm 1-6-06ER- 3+PR- 3+HER2/nev (herceptest) Negitive, 0+Main Sentinel Node - NegetiveArimidex 1mg. for next 5 years. Onc. Stopped the Arimidex, too much pain & side effects. Evista 60mg. a day. No osteoporosis.
Mother, lung, liver cancer, Aunt, BC

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

MomG

Congrats on the one year milestone!

With all of the cautions on radiation overdose from too frequent mammograms out there, I am amazed that no one specifies where or what the specific danger is. There are so many warnings with no explanation of what bad things can happen. Why?

Since there is no physical shield to the rear of the human breast, what is to keep the radiation from going into the thorax?

Have any actual studies been done? If so, where are the results?

As far as I am concerned, this is very serious business that deserves much more attention, and a reasonable explanation to the public from the medical profession.

Mike

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

So far, nobody seems to have an answer for this. I was hoping that one of the doctors on this forum (Dr. Leo?) would have an answer.

Meanwhile I sent the question expressed in the original post on this thread to:

DRMANNY@FOXNEWS.COM which is supposed to be a place to send such questions.

I really would like to know the answer to this question. How can there be so many warnings with no explanation from the medical profession.

brainman · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Mammogram Radiation

Mikes, radiation is dangerous: radiation techs where lead aprons for a reason. However, you have weigh the dangers against the benefits. I cannot give you any specific numbers, nevertheless, there is a total amount of radiation that doctors feel is “safe.” This total amount is different for different organs. So, ask YOUR doctor. Dr. Leo may or may not be able to give you an answer that will be helpful.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 143

Hi Jim,

I am not sure I'm asking the question the right way, or perhaps you misunderstand.

Most of us are aware that radiation is dangerous. I don't undersatnd what anyone's own doctor would know about a general case as compared to the medical community as a whole.

What I am getting at is the fact that each mammograph machine puts out a particular radiation patern. This pattern may be influenced by the technican's setup, the internal and external adjustments and calibration of the machine as well as dosage/time settings.

Most explanations of my question (when they can be found) readily state that one risk is that of getting breast cancer.

Since there is little (if any) information available to the public on the radiation pattern(s) involved, it begs the question, for example, can this procedure wind up exposing the lungs since they are in very close proximity to the breast. Likewise for the stomach, esophegus, gall bladder, thymus, or pancreas.

Mike

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Breast Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others