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I am a breast cancer survivor of seven years.  I had a lumpectomy and stage 1 breast cancer--- no lymph node involvement-- at age 45. I am now 52. I initially had adjunct therapy, chemo and radtiation, as a preventative measure after my lumpectomy. My mammograms have been clear since.
I worry about the continous mammograms year after year.  Wouldn't the amount of mammogram radiation over time increase my risk of the breast cancer coming back?  Could I not get an MRI and or a thermogram in place of a mammmogram?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Michelle559:  The amount of radiation in a mammogram is considered to be very minimal especially when considered against the risk of an undetected breast cancer.  There is no evidence to date to suggest that mammograms cause breast cancer.  In fact, breast cancer incidence is on the decline (likely due to fewer women using long term HRT).  If mammogram use increased cancer rates we would likely see increases in rates as women who started mammograms in their 40's are not in their 60's.  MRI's can be a good tool but they are far from perfect.  The incidence of false positive results is very high and to use this as a screening tool would likely result in a large number of unnecessary biopsies.  Ultimately, this could be discussed with your physician as it pertains to you specifically.