Menstrual Cycle May Affect Mammogram Sensitivity and Accuracy

No woman wants to hear that she has breast cancer, but every year in the United States, over 260,000 women will discover that they have breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), and it is the second leading cause of death among women. (Lung cancer is the first.)

Because of the high breast cancer statistics, doctors and healthcare professionals recommend that women undergo regular mammogram screening to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. According to a new research study, published in last month’s issue of Radiology, women should consider scheduling their mammograms for the first week of their menstrual cycle – i.e. the week that you’re bleeding.