For decades, women have been told that mammograms are the gold standard for breast cancer screening. They’ve been positioned as life-saving, essential, and something you absolutely must do once you hit a certain age.

But what if I told you there’s more to the story?

This isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. It’s about knowing the full picture so you can make informed decisions about your health. Because here’s the hard truth: mammograms aren’t as safe, effective, or necessary as we’ve been led to believe.

 

The Risks of Mammograms

Mammograms come with significant risks that are rarely discussed in depth. Let’s break them down:

 

1. Radiation Exposure

Mammograms expose breast tissue to ionizing radiation, a known carcinogen. And with the introduction of 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis), the radiation dose has tripled or even increased tenfold for some women.

For women with dense or larger breasts, the machines automatically increase radiation levels to penetrate thicker tissue. This adds up quickly, especially for women who are screened yearly.

Here’s the math:

  • Mammograms cause an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 breast cancers annually in the U.S. alone.
  • Despite the risks, the benefits are marginal: only 1 life is saved for every 2,000 women screened.

 

2. Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment

Mammograms frequently detect DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), a non-invasive condition confined to the ducts of the breast.

  • DCIS cannot metastasize unless it progresses to invasive cancer, which happens in only 25% of untreated cases.
  • Yet, 40,000 women per year undergo mastectomies, radiation, or chemotherapy for DCIS, believing they are fighting life-threatening cancer.

The emotional and physical toll of these unnecessary treatments is staggering. Women lose their sense of femininity, endure long-term health complications, and carry the trauma of a cancer diagnosis that wasn’t necessary to begin with.

 

3. False Positives and Callbacks

Between 25-60% of women are called back for additional imaging after their first mammogram.

Many of these callbacks lead to biopsies or further tests, which can create unnecessary anxiety and expose women to even more radiation. In most cases, these findings turn out to be benign or irrelevant, but the stress of “what if” lingers long after the procedure.

 

4. No Real Impact on Mortality

Here’s a sobering fact: mammograms have not reduced the number of women presenting with aggressive, late-stage cancers.

The assumption that catching cancer “early” saves lives doesn’t hold up when you look at the data. Aggressive cancers grow and spread regardless of when they are detected, while slow-growing cancers often don’t require intervention at all.

 

The Better Way: QT Imaging

Now for the good news: safer, smarter alternatives to mammograms are finally available.

One of the most promising technologies is QT Imaging.

 

What Is QT Imaging?

QT Imaging uses sound waves—not radiation or compression—to create 3D images of the breast.

Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

  • No Radiation: Unlike mammograms, QT Imaging doesn’t expose you to harmful ionizing radiation.
  • No Compression: Say goodbye to the painful squeezing of traditional mammograms.
  • 40x the Resolution of MRI: QT Imaging provides highly detailed images without the need for gadolinium, a toxic heavy metal often used in MRIs.
  • Tracks Cell Growth: QT can measure cell doubling times, identifying whether a lesion is benign or malignant over time, reducing unnecessary treatments.

This is the future of breast health: safe, accurate, and empowering.

 

The Auria Tear Test: Another Revolutionary Option

Another breakthrough in breast cancer screening is the Auria Tear Test.

 

What Is the Auria Tear Test?

The Auria test is a simple, non-invasive screening method that analyzes proteins in your tears to detect biomarkers associated with breast cancer.

 

How Accurate Is It?

The Auria test boasts impressive accuracy:

  • 90% sensitivity: This means it accurately detects breast cancer 90% of the time.
  • 85% specificity: This means it correctly identifies when breast cancer is not present 85% of the time.

In comparison:

  • Mammograms have a sensitivity of 85%, meaning they miss about 1 in 8 breast cancers.
  • Their specificity is even lower, leading to more false positives and unnecessary biopsies.

The Auria test is completely safe, painless, and doesn’t require radiation or invasive procedures. It’s an excellent option for women looking for a low-risk screening tool, especially younger women or those with dense breasts.

 

Pros and Cons of the Auria Tear Test

Pros:

  • Non-invasive and painless.
  • No radiation or compression.
  • High sensitivity and specificity.

Cons:

  • Currently available as a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool.
  • May not yet be widely available in all regions.

If you’re interested in the Auria Tear-Based Test, my office can help! Simply contact us, and we’ll arrange for the test kit to be mailed directly to your home, making it easy and convenient to prioritize your breast health.

 

What You Can Do to Take Control of Your Breast Health

The first step is knowing your options. You are not obligated to follow the standard screening recommendations if they don’t align with your values or health goals.

Here’s how you can advocate for yourself:

 

1. Educate Yourself:

Learn about the risks and limitations of mammograms and explore alternatives like QT Imaging and the Auria Tear Test.

 

2. Prioritize Prevention:

Reduce inflammation through diet, exercise, and stress management.

Avoid toxins, especially endocrine disruptors, which can increase your breast cancer risk.

 

3. Know Your Body:

Regularly perform self-breast exams to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally feel.

If something feels off, trust your intuition and seek guidance.

 

4. Demand Better:

Push for safer, more effective options in your healthcare. Technologies like QT Imaging and the Auria Tear Test represent a shift in how we approach breast health—and it’s time to embrace them.

 

Final Thoughts

Mammograms have been the standard for decades, but they are not without significant risks and limitations.

As women, we deserve better. We deserve options that prioritize our safety and health over profit. With innovations like QT Imaging and the Auria Tear Test, we have the tools to make smarter, safer choices for our bodies.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to share this information with the women in your life. Together, we can change the narrative around breast cancer screening and create a future where prevention is rooted in empowerment, not fear.

 

Want to learn more?

Check out this incredible video by Dr. Jen Simmons, a breast cancer surgeon turned functional medicine doctor, who dives deep into these issues.