Ask The Hoff: Mammograms & Radiation

Dear Hoff,

My mom sent this to me -- Said this is from Dr. OZ -- what does The Healthy Hoff think? 

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms but you have to ask for it – they don’t offer it to you.

Thanks,
Yo!


Hey, Yo!

I'm glad this message is starting to reach the masses, it's an important one that affects us all.

I will start off by saying that this is an area that I know little about, so I will share what I do know and don't take it as medical advice but rather a starting point for your own research.

While attending a health conference recently, I learned that the "experts" and no one else for that matter truly knows to what degree the radiation we are being exposed to through various x-rays (dental, mammogram, airport screening, etc.) is having on our overall health, cumulatively, overtime.  

I for one avoid x-rays unless absolutely necessary.  I feel that these doctors lump us into "standard procedure" with little regard for the longtime affects.  So, I will refuse dental x-rays on a yearly basis, unless I am experiencing an issue.  And when my doctor asked if I wanted a mammogram this year, I said, "Hell No!," I'm too young for that!  You must bear in mind that doctors are merely consultants, and we need to educate ourselves and ask questions to determine if the advice they are giving is right for us and not accept everything they say and recommend as gospel.  Doctors are not gods, they are human and they too get it wrong sometimes, don't know everything and are limited by training - you must take responsibility for your own health!

As for the mammograms, when the time truly does come, I plan NOT to engage in the "standard practice."  Bear in mind that I do not have a history of breast cancer within my family line.  I will however, be looking into Breast Thermography, a medical infrared image.  This method does not utilize radiation, injections or compression - in fact there is no bodily contact at all.  Instead, it makes an infrared image using the body's natural heat.  This method has been around awhile and was approved by the FDA in 1982 as a breast screening procedure.  Clinical trials have shown that this procedure can detect cancer up to 10 years earlier than other methods.

I am currently aware of one local medical practice utilizing Breast Thermography, Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

In the meantime, I am doing everything possible to safeguard myself from any type of cancer through eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet.  And if you're curious to understand more on how that works, I recommend you read The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, it's very enlightening!

Hope this helps!
The Hoff

P.S. I will definitely look for that throat guard next time I need dental x-rays and remember that thyroid guard - thanks!!!

Sources:
http://www.bestthermographyservice.com/breast-thermography-faq.html
http://tenpennyimc.com/breast-thermography


Gotta question for The Healthy Hoff?  Hit me up at TheHoff@healthyhoff.com