A newly released British study has found that for every woman who gets an unnecessary work-up as a result of something found on mammogram, two women are found to have breast cancer who would not have known that they had it otherwise. The findings of this study are important considering the ongoing debate of whether women between 40 and 50 should have regular mammograms. Knowing that breast cancer is generally a more aggressive disease in younger women, it is important to pay attention to these findings.

Many women do not like having mammograms. They are generally uncomfortable and the breasts are exposed to a small amount of radiation. However, in my opinion and the opinion of many experts, the risk is small compared to the benefits. In recent years, most of the breast cancers I have diagnosed in my patients have been found on mammogram. No mass was felt and the patients had no symptoms.

 In addition to having a yearly mammogram, I believe it is important to eat a healthy diet and remain thin, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. It is estimated that as many as 30% of breast cancer cases could be prevented if women follow these three simple behaviors.

The risk of breast cancer is one in eight over a woman's lifetime. As we get older it is important that we do what we have to do to achieve optimal health. A healthy lifestyle and regular preventive tests and exams are not just essential but an absolute necessity.