Breast Cancer Screening: Do the Risks Outweigh the Expected Benefits?

A 58-year-old female has had negative mammograms annually since the age of 40. During a visit to the Women’s Health Clinic, the woman asks the RN if monthly breast self-examination and an annual mammogram are still necessary. 
Initial Discussion Post:
Why is breast self-examination being replaced in the screening guidelines by mammography and breast magnetic resonance imaging?
What are the risks associated with breast cancer screening? Do the risks outweigh the benefits? Why or why not?
Base your initial post on your readings and research of this topic.
Evidence-Based Practice Marlon Saria, MSN, RN, AOCNS®—Associate Editor
Screening for Breast Cancer:
Evidence and Recommendations
Suzanne M. Mahon, RN, DNSc, AOCN®, APNG
Guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer vary across agencies. This article
compares available breast cancer screening guidelines for women of average or increased
risk, as well as for older women. Nurses are challenged to explain risk factors,
discuss variations in guidelines, and assist women in understanding the strengths and
limitations of various screening modalities for the early detection of breast cancer.
Suzanne M. Mahon, RN, DNSc, AOCN®, APNG, is a professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department
of Internal Medicine and a professor of adult nursing in the School of Nursing at Saint Louis University
in Missouri. The author takes full responsibility for the content of the article. The author did not receive honoraria
for this work. No financial relationships relevant to the content of this article have been disclosed by the author