The same newsletter reported on a study which looked at over 16,000 mammograms and discovered that calcification in the blood vessels of the breasts can be correlated with a 54% increase in ischemic stroke.
This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. The American Heart Association is recommending that mammograms be used for early stroke detection.
What about the pain of a mammogram? There is now a soft foam pad, called the Woman's Touch MammoPad that can be placed on the surface of the compression plates.
A study reported at a meeting of the Radiological Society of North America reported that 70% of the women said their pain was cut in half.
To find a facility near you that offers the pad call 866 460-4141.