A new study has shown that mammograms, often suggested for middle-aged women, are just as effective as the physical exam.
The findings of this research was published in the British Medical Journal. This study is considered to be one of the largest studies ever to be done about mammograms, according to The New York Times.
The same number of women died from breast cancer over the 25 year span that the research took place whether they underwent a yearly mammogram or not, according to Fox News.
Mammograms hope to give women early diagnosis of breast cancer, however, after the findings of this research have been released the effectiveness of this procedure is being questioned. Now it is largely debated whether the benefits of having a mammogram outweigh the overdiagnosis and the overtreament of some patients.
The study found that 22 percent of women who have a tumor detected by a mammogram are overdiagnosed, which means that the patient was diagnosed and treated for a tumor that would not have effected their health.
Mammograms have had a very deep division between those who believe women should get them regularly and those who don’t. This study will only deepen the division between the two groups.
While there won’t be any immediate changes to mammogram guidelines, there will likely be a change in who gets them and how often soon.