Breast Cancer Risk Can Be Lowered by Avoiding Unnecessary Medical Imaging

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120611193634.htm

ScienceDaily (June 11, 2012) — A report issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) last December reviewed all the available scientific data compiled to date about potential environmental risks of breast cancer -- factors such as pesticides, beauty products, household chemicals, and the plastics used to make water bottles.

Commissioned by the breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the IOM report concluded that there was not enough data to confirm or rule out that exposure to most of these factors caused breast cancer. However, the report did identify two factors that definitely increased risk: post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy and radiation exposure from medical imaging.

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She suggested that patients ask their doctors questions like:

Is this scan absolutely necessary?
Is it necessary to do it now?
Are there other, alternative tests?
How can I be sure the test will be done in the safest way possible?
Will having the scan information change the management of my disease?
Can I wait until after seeing a specialist before getting the scan?