Mammograms can Rupture Tumors - Breast Cancer Patient Dies...that's a terrifying headline!
Did you know that mammograms can rupture tumors and spread malignant cells? I had no idea this was possible until I saw the consequences. One of the gals at my cancer clinic passed away last week. She had breast cancer, diagnosed in January 2017.
She went the conventional route for treatment initially including radiation therapy. The conventional treatment didn't help and she started treating naturally at the clinic I attend where I was able to get to know her during our IV treatments together.
When she started treatment she looked healthy and young. I was shocked to learn that she was in her early 50's, she looked like a young 45! She was so strong and had a great chance of living a long healthy life.
She took a turn for the worst when she went in for a mammogram to check the progress of her treatment. The compression of the mammogram was so powerful, it ruptured her tumor causing her cancer to spread into the pleura of her lungs. Since she had also had radiation therapy her lungs were damaged and weeping fluid. The combination caused fluid to build up in her lungs and difficulty breathing. Over the last couple of months, she has been on oxygen and was going in every 14-19 days to have her lungs drained of fluid.
In early January she stopped her natural treatments and the doctors could no longer find any fluid in her lungs. However, she still had difficulty breathing. She was hospitalized and two weeks later passed away.
Mammograms can Rupture Tumors and Spread Malignant Cells
Not only do mammograms hurt like hell, but they can cause serious issues if you have cysts, breast implants, or tumors.
Mammography involves compressing the breasts between two plates in order to spread out the breast tissue for imaging. Today's mammogram equipment applies 42 pounds of pressure to the breasts. Not surprisingly, this can cause significant pain. However, there is also a serious health risk associated with the compression applied to the breasts. Only 22 pounds of pressure is needed to rupture the encapsulation of a cancerous tumor (14). The amount of pressure involved in a mammography procedure, therefore, has the potential to rupture existing tumors and spread malignant cells into the bloodstream (15). Source
Mammography Radiation May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer
The radiation involved in mammography screening can cause cancer and women are usually not informed of any of this prior to their medical professional ordering the tests.
The cumulative effect of routine mammography screening may increase women's risk of developing radiation-induced breast cancer (11). The current recommendations for mammography screening have led women to start screening at a younger age and also to receive more frequent screening; this has amplified the amount of radiation to which the breasts are being exposed, and the effects are not trivial. In addition, women who are exposed to radiation for other purposes or women who are carriers of the BRCA (breast cancer susceptibility) gene are at an even higher risk of experiencing adverse effects from mammography radiation (12).
While not a direct reflection of the impact of mammography on breast cancer risk, other studies examining the effect of diagnostic chest x-rays on breast cancer risk have found that medical radiation exposure increases breast cancer risk (13). Source
One patient that I sat through IV's with was a radiation nurse who had a crack in her steel apron. She developed a tumor directly under the crack. Coincidence? Yeah, I don't think so.
The research used to develop recommendations for mammography screening is biased and is not a true representation of the efficacy of mammography for reducing breast cancer mortality. The data is tortured to suggest whatever outcome the stakeholders are interested in, and as I've learned through my own journey, this is a very common issue in the business of treating cancer.
Unfortunately, due to the rampant fear of cancer, it's been extremely easy to use biased research to drive millions of women to subject their bodies to this torture every year.
Potential Mammography Alternatives
Think twice before going in for that mammogram and do your research. Unfortunately, there aren't very many alternatives available for screening. But there are a couple of options including ultrasound and thermography. Safer and less invasive. No flat green boobs involved.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is the original screening mechanism for breast cancer. However, it is not used on its own for screening since mammography became the standard of care. You can, however, ask for an ultrasound only at independent imaging facilities and through a naturopath or functional doctor
Ultrasound is an imaging test that sends high-frequency sound waves through your breast and converts them into images on a viewing screen. The ultrasound technician places a sound-emitting probe on the breast to conduct the test. There is no radiation involved.
Thermography
The use of Digital Infrared Imaging is based on the principle that metabolic activity and vascular circulation in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding developing breast cancer is almost always higher than in normal breast tissue. In an ever-increasing need for nutrients, cancerous tumors increase circulation to their cells by holding open existing blood vessels, opening dormant vessels, and creating new ones (neoangiogenesis). This process frequently results in an increase in regional surface temperatures of the breast. Screenings use ultra-sensitive medical infrared cameras and sophisticated computers to detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution images of these temperature variations.
Breast Self-Exam
Self-examination isn't a replacement for imaging, however, it can absolutely help you detect the presence of abnormalities early and reduce your risk of complications from a mammogram.
I think it makes logical sense that if you are very in-tune with your breasts that you will reduce the likely hood that mammograms can rupture tumors if you keep a close watch on things.
I encourage all women to be diligent about breast self-examination on a monthly basis. It's easy and if you involve your partner it can be fun.
This video from the National Breast Cancer Foundation outlines all of the types of breast exams as well as signs and symptoms to watch for and other good information about breast cancer.
Rest in peace Deidra, you will not be forgotten. <3
annette oker says
in our health care industry, many of us have zero choice. I had a mastectomy in 2007. The surgeon did a half ass job . he was to do a totally removal of the whole right breast . but did only a partial removal. So of course my implant was way to big. My plastic surgeon told me late after I removed that he would replace the implant. but by his calculations that was the sz i would have needed if I have had a whole breast removed. So then 2 yrs later more tumors in my breast. Different surgeon removed those. Put in a clip for radiation which I turned down just like I refused chemo. I moved to Wisconsin from Illinois. Over the yrs I have repeatly told my primary doctor I felt a pain lump where my bra rub my body next to implant. I was told over an dover I was imagining it. Theyd order a mammo. Id let them do the left breast. But refused the right. Which mad the tech and doctor very upset with me. So its 2019 . last yr 2018 my breast swelled up. So I went in to my primary. same old crap mammo. the left only I refused the right. Worried it would rupture my implant. In my file it states Im a difficult person. Well the ultra sound last yr did show a mass the sz of a lima bean. Finally i thought I would get a surgeon to remove it. Thanks god. So i met with MAry Longford the surgeon. Being a woman I thought great someone that can relate to me. Boy was I wrong. She looked at my chart. saw I refused mammo fo right breast. She told me first off Im to old to even have a implant, next without a mammo she was NOT got to cut me open to go on fish trip for nothing. She said it was nothing there. I explained my concern for the implant . once again I was told Im to old to even have one. She refused to be my surgeon. I left there almost in tears. she was the only lady Surgoen on staff. An if the men surgeon read my file well.. they would follow her lead. So I never went back. I have been just living scared and feeling my lump growing. I change health care providers. hoping to find a friendly caring primary. Well I did get a older lady. she is kinda nice. But sje ordered a mammo once again, im sure she saw in my chart how many times Ive refused it. she stated it si the standard of care that they follow there. First mammo, which by the way ive had 4 tumors and the first one never showed up in the mammo. the other three where found with ultra sound. I didnt say anything to the primary care lady. Ewing.. i dint want ot be looking at as a trouble maker. Yet this is my body my life on the line. my tumor is now the size of a golf ball. I cant just let them squeeze that breast with implant and tumor. I know something is going to rupture. Yet if I dont they will turn me away. I dont understand how this is okay. I am never told the dangers of any of these test. never.. how it that right. why cant they just do a ultra sound. but they wont if I dont have a mammo first. standard of care if not about my rights or whats best for me . its about changing the insurance company for as many test as possible. Im 61 and just feel so lost and alone in this. I need this tumor remove and the implant can go to. its been in there long enough. thanks for letting me unload.
Heather Cooan says
I've heard so many stories like this one over the years. I'm very sorry for your experience and I hope you continue to take care of yourself from the inside out.
Pearl says
Annette Oker,
Fight! Contact news channels via email or even direct calls. "6 on your side" or whatever channels offer public aid in their struggle. Tell them your story.
Write newspapers too. The more you expose those practitioners and bring public awareness to your dilemma, the greater your chances of someone stepping up and saying they'll help and aiding others facing your struggles.
This is YOUR LIFE your trying to save and your requests are not unreasonable.
God bless and good luck,
Pearl
Susie says
Finally forcing people to get mammograms is how they pay for the mammogram machines, usually they can just brainwash enough people. I never realized that they wouldn't do surgery without a mammogram crushing a possible tumor. I have had one in my life and it left me bruised pretty badly, that means they were bursting blood vessels under the pressure. I always thought that if I felt a lump I could be tested by ultra sound or thermographic means. I hope you were able to find a surgeon to help you in the way you preferred.
Heather Cooan says
Hi Susie, unfortunately my friend passed away. That's why I shared her story in this post.
Geegee says
I had lump in left breast. They said there was also one in the right, mirror image. Doctor insisted on mammogram, once they did both sides, the doctor who read the results insisted a bunch of angles had to be redone. This time they flatted my breast, each side, to 50 pounds of pressure. It read 50. I will never forget that. Each time there was a bad pain, in the same place on each side, where the tumors were. When I later looked at the pictures, there was a little bit squeezed out of the tumor, the same place on each side. I was convinced that the Mammo had ruptured the tumors. The rupture was in exactly the same place, but mirror image. It would have been pretty simple otherwise. This complicated everything. And they take no responsibility. And they treat you like you are going to die. More like their care may kill me.
Heather Cooan says
I'm so sorry you had this experience. I hope you're journey is going in your favor. Sending love and healing.