Separating breast cancer screening facts from social media myths
By Allison Agnew, Outreach Manager, Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition
If you have spent five minutes on TikTok or Instagram lately, there is a good chance you’ve seen someone claim that mammograms are something women should be afraid of.
Maybe you’ve heard that mammograms cause breast cancer, that compression can make a tumor “burst” and spread, that thermograms are safer, or that women without a family history don’t need screening.
When the same frightening claims keep showing up in your feed, it’s understandable to question whether a mammogram is really safe.
Before you cancel that appointment, let’s take a closer look at what the evidence actually says.
Your TikTok algorithm is not a medical degree.
As someone who works in cancer prevention and community outreach here in Northwest Georgia, I am all for asking questions about your health. But there is a big difference between asking questions and accepting a frightening claim simply because a video has hundreds of thousands of views.
So, do mammograms cause cancer?
Let’s start with one of the biggest claims circulating online: “Mammograms cause breast cancer.” That statement is misleading.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast. Yes, it uses radiation, but the amount used is very small, and mammography has been extensively studied for decades.
The evidence overwhelmingly supports mammography as an effective screening tool for women who are recommended to receive it.
The FDA regulates mammography facilities under federal standards for equipment, radiation dose, image quality and personnel qualifications. The National Cancer Institute also recognizes mammography as an important tool for detecting breast cancer early.
So, when you see someone online say, “Mammograms cause cancer,” remember that a frightening statement is not the same thing as scientific evidence.
And no, the mammogram isn’t going to make your cancer “explode.”
Another claim making the rounds online is that the compression used during a mammogram can cause a tumor to rupture or spread.
There is no evidence that routine mammography compression causes breast cancer to spread.
Compression is an important part of getting a useful mammogram. It spreads the breast tissue so it does not overlap as much, allowing the radiologist to see the tissue more clearly and produce a good-quality image.
Could it be uncomfortable? Absolutely.
Will you possibly make a face at the machine and wonder, “Who decided this was a good idea?” Also, absolutely.
But discomfort is not evidence that the procedure is causing cancer to spread.
“But I don’t have a family history.”
You don’t need a family history of breast cancer to develop breast cancer.
Family history is one factor that can affect your risk, but not having a family history does not mean you are not at risk.
For women at average risk, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends screening mammography every other year from ages 40 through 74 to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.
Some women may need a different screening plan because of their personal or family history, genetic risk or other factors. Talk with your health care provider about what is appropriate for you.
What if I have dense breasts?
This is where social media’s “one-size-fits-all” health advice really falls apart.
Breast density is common. Dense breast tissue can make some cancers harder to see on a mammogram and is also associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
That does not mean you should skip your mammogram.
Talk with your health care provider about your breast density and whether additional screening, such as an ultrasound or MRI, is appropriate for you.
Not every woman with dense breasts needs additional testing, and not every woman has the same level of risk.
Don’t let TikTok tell you that dense breasts automatically mean you need another scan, or that your mammogram isn’t useful. Neither is true.
And about those thermograms…
This one comes up a lot, and it deserves a closer look.
“No radiation!”
That sounds great. But a test being radiation-free does not automatically make it an effective cancer screening test.
The FDA states that thermography has not been shown to be effective as a standalone test for breast cancer screening and should not be used instead of mammography. Relying on thermography instead of mammography could mean missing the opportunity to detect breast cancer at an early stage.
So, if someone tells you that a thermogram can replace your mammogram because it is “safer,” be skeptical.
Mammograms aren’t perfect.
I’m not going to tell you that mammograms find every breast cancer. They don’t.
Like every screening test, mammography has benefits and limitations. It can miss some cancers and can also result in false-positive results that lead to additional imaging or biopsies. Screening can also detect some cancers that may not have caused problems during a person’s lifetime.
Women deserve honest information about those limitations.
But “mammograms aren’t perfect” does not equal “mammograms are dangerous.”
The FDA identifies mammography as the most effective primary screening method for detecting breast cancer.
The goal of screening is not to guarantee that cancer will never happen. The goal is to give us a better chance of finding it earlier, when it may be smaller, before it causes symptoms, and when treatment may be more effective.
Don’t let the algorithm make your health decisions.
Health misinformation can spread incredibly quickly online. A video can receive thousands or even millions of views without being supported by scientific evidence. A confident speaker, a personal story or a dramatic claim does not make something true.
Before sharing a frightening health claim, ask:
Where did this information come from?
Is it supported by scientific research?
Is the source a recognized medical or public health organization?
Most importantly, could someone make a harmful health decision because they believed what they just watched?
This is where we all have a responsibility.
If you choose to share health information, take the time to make sure it is accurate. Misinformation about cancer screening is not harmless.
You may think you’re just sharing a video, but the person watching it may decide not to get screened. That decision could delay a diagnosis and potentially have serious consequences.
When false information convinces someone to skip recommended breast cancer screening, the consequences can be life-changing. In some cases, misinformation can cost people precious time, treatment options and potentially their lives.
Before you share that next video claiming that mammograms cause cancer, ask yourself:
Am I sharing something that could help someone make an informed decision, or something that could scare someone away from care they need?
What if I can’t afford a mammogram?
Here in Northwest Georgia, we know that cost can be another barrier to breast cancer screening.
The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition (NWGRCC) partners with health care agencies and community organizations to help provide low-cost or no-cost mammograms for eligible uninsured, underinsured and underserved patients across Northwest Georgia.
Working with our health care partners, we help identify eligible patients and navigate them through recommended screenings. Our goal is to increase access to early detection and help reduce breast cancer mortality in our communities.
For 2026, patients must meet program eligibility requirements, including household income at or below 200% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Need help getting a mammogram?
If you are a patient and think you may qualify for a low-cost or no-cost mammogram, visit one of our participating health care partners or call the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition at 706-291-9998 for a referral and information about eligibility.
Our current breast cancer screening partners include: Atrium Health Floyd, AdventHealth Redmond, Harbin Clinic Bartow County, AdventHealth Gordon, and Vitruvian Health.
Health care providers and screening partners can also contact NWGRCC at 706-291-9998 if they have patients who need assistance accessing breast cancer screening.
If you have concerns about your personal risk of breast cancer, talk with your health care provider.
Your age, personal and family history, breast density and other factors can help determine the screening approach that is right for you.
Don’t let fear make the decision for you.
You don’t have to blindly trust everything you see online. You also don’t have to blindly trust me.
Ask questions.
Ask your doctor why they recommend screening. Ask about your personal risk. Ask about your breast density. Ask what screening schedule makes sense for you.
But when someone on social media tells you that an entire medical profession has been hiding the “truth” about mammograms, ask for the evidence.
Not a TikTok. Not a screenshot. Not someone’s cousin’s experience.
The evidence.
A personal story can be meaningful without being scientific evidence. An influencer can have millions of followers and still be wrong.
Your health is worth more than a viral video.
Know your risk. Ask questions. Get evidence-based screening. And encourage the women you love to do the same.
And please, if you’re going to share health information, make sure it is information you would feel comfortable knowing someone might make a life-changing decision based on.
Allison Agnew Outreach Manager Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition
Need help accessing a mammogram? Call the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition at 706-291-9998 to learn more about eligibility for low-cost or no-cost breast cancer screening.
Sources
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Mammography: What You Need to Know; Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) Frequently Asked Questions; Breast Cancer Screening: Thermogram No Substitute for Mammogram
National Cancer Institute (NCI): Screening for Breast Cancer; Mammograms
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF): Breast Cancer: Screening
American Cancer Society (ACS): American Cancer Society Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer
