Trauma-induced Breast Cancer: Are Mammograms a Culprit?

Hello bOObs Bloggettes.

We’re kicking off the New Year with a new blog!

One doesn’t think about physical trauma leading to tumor formation but according to the literature sometimes this can happen. We’ll consider this today and look how mammography’s breast compression might fit in.

Consider this personal story: My late husband had a cigarette burn scar on his chest for years (a drunken sot at a party bumped into him, he lamented). A doctor told him upon examination that he really should have the scar surgically removed (creating a larger scar — figure out that logic) as trauma scars can eventually lead to cancer formation.

One medical paper stated this: “Models of epithelial cell generation indicate that a causal link between physical trauma and cancer is plausible…The most likely explanation of the findings is that physical trauma can cause breast cancer.” Further, it stated, “Women with breast carcinoma were more likely to report physical trauma to the breast in the previous 5 years than were the controls…”

So there is indeed evidence-based speculation about trauma-induced cancer. And yet we are still doing this to women on a regular basis: Up to 45 pounds of pressure is exerted on a woman’s breast during mammogram’s compression. 

Up to 45 pounds???? Good lord, ladies, no wonder it hurts!

The other thing the trauma from mammogram’s paddle compression creates in a breast is inflammation. Cancer is an inflammatory disease, as are many chronic diseases, so the one thing you don’t want to be doing is introducing something like trauma to sensitive breast tissue thereby creating inflammation year after year.

To expound on that, the National Cancer Institute succinctly says this: “Over time, chronic inflammation can cause DNA damage and lead to cancer.”

If you recall the last blog on DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ), this precancerous condition arises in the breasts’ ducts, which are made up of sensitive epithelial tissue. DCIS is found on mammograms through detection of micro-calcifications in the breast. It is noted in the literature that calcifications in the breast can arise themselves from past injuries, hence trauma. I would count squishing the breast between two paddles sometimes to the point of severe pain as a type of trauma and/or injury, wouldn’t you? A mammogram’s annual use is repeatedly radiating and compressing this sensitive breast tissue, which might — using simple common sense — create future trouble.

Here’s another consideration with regards to compression: What if the breast already contains cancer? Three doctors I interviewed were of the opinion that compressing an existing tumor could lead to the spreading of cancer — especially when a breast tumor has just undergone a needle biopsy (yes, they actually do this: compress the tumor after poking a hole in it. Again, where’s the common sense???)

So, in summary, is it really a good idea to put up to 45 pounds of pressure on sensitive breast tissue year after year, thereby traumatizing said tissue and inciting the cancer precursor of inflammation — while at the same time trying to detect cancer in said tissue? 

Blog at you soon, thanks for reading and helping to spread the word! (Please see the “share” links below). We welcome any comments.

Stay healthy,

Megan

Megan Smith, M.S.
Director, bOObs: The War on Women’s Breasts

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