Mammogram Radiation May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Boston (DbTechNo) - Results of a new study suggest that radiation from mammograms may actually increase risk of breast cancer in high risk women.

High risk women are those who may have a family history of the disease, or have genetic traits that predict breast cancer at some point in their lives.

With mammogram procedures, small doses of radiation are used, radiation that according to Dutch researchers can actually be more harmful than beneficial for high risk women under 30.

The researchers compiled data from 6 studies featuring more than 12000 women deemed to be at high risk of developing breast cancer.

More than 8000 women were subjected to mammogram procedures, and those who were, were more than 2 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Just recently new breast cancer screening guidelines were released, which should reduce the risk that high risk women face from mammograms.

Women were previously advised to begin yearly mammograms after they turned 40 years of age, but now the recommendation has been adjusted to 50 years of age.