No Need for Pregnant Women to Forego Mammograms, Researchers Say

While pregnant women may want to forego mammograms, especially in early pregnancy, there’s no need to do so when this screening test is clinically necessary due to symptomatic concerns. That’s the conclusion researchers made recently after testing the "scatter radiation" put out during typical mammogram screenings.

Scatter radiation is the inadvertent exposure to radiation in other parts of the body. Mammograms, although highly focused, do produce some scatter radiation. The amount of exposure, however, is highly negligible researchers found. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements has found that fetal abnormality risk is extremely low when doses of radiation are below 50 mGy. In regard to scatter radiation from mammograms, the researchers found the doses fell well below the thresholds described. The doses were as low as 0.011 mGy for the umbilicus and 0.025 mGy for the bridge of the nose. The sternum, not surprisingly, had the highest rate at 0.87 mGy.

Mammograms are a critical screening tool for breast cancer and other conditions that affect the breasts. While routine mammograms might be suspended during pregnancy, concerns about the development of cancer may prompt a desire for a physician to have this test performed. Women who are counseled to undergo mammogram screening during pregnancy may rest a little easier due to the findings.

Breast cancer affects an estimated 1 in 8 American women over the course of their lifetimes. In fact, about 246,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed annually. About 40,000 women die from the disease each year. While breast cancer is less common in younger women, the reality is it can strike at just about any age. It is not uncommon for this disease to be suspected and/or diagnosed during pregnancy.

Undergoing mammograms to confirm or deny the presence of breast cancer during pregnancy can prove crucial for opening the door to lifesaving treatment. While protection of the fetus will, of course, be a primary concern, the recent study shows there isn’t a need to skip screening when suspicions of cancer are high.

Women who are suspected to have breast cancer during pregnancy or otherwise should carefully discuss screening with their healthcare providers. The best recommendation will come from physicians with knowledge of the particular case at hand. Should breast cancer be diagnosed, women should follow through with their healthcare providers to explore all options to protect personal health and the health of the baby. Depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer, a variety of treatment options may be available.

Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group, a division of Choice Cancer Care – is an independently owned and operated oncology practice that is completely focused on unique, comprehensive patient care.

a href=http://lewisvilleflowermoundoncology.com/about-usLewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group, a division of Choice Cancer Care – is an independently owned and operated oncology practice.