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Mercy breast surgeon Dr. Neil B. Friedman consults with a patient prior to surgery.

Dr. Neil B. Friedman, Director, Hoffberger Breast Center At Mercy, Discusses Mammograms, Genetic Testing

The debates continue over whether people should get genetic testing and women should get yearly mammograms as a way of detecting breast cancer.

Dr. Neil Friedman, Director of The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy Medical Center, suggested genetic testing is a good choice for anyone with a strong family history, but that doesn't mean that those who don't have one are safe.

"About 80 to 85 percent of all women who get breast cancer don't have a family history. People think if they don't have a family history, they're off the hook. They're not off the hook," he said.

Mary Beth Glaser said her dad and uncle died from male breast cancer. She said she had resisted the idea of genetic testing until her sister was diagnosed in March.

"Her surgeon said to her, 'I need you to take a genetic test to see of you carry the mutation. If you do, we're talking about a mastectomy. If you don't, we're talking lumpectomy, and if you have siblings, they should also be tested," Glaser said.

She said she tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation. She had a prophylactic double mastectomy and a total hysterectomy five weeks ago. Glaser said she did it for her three children.

"It's a big relief right now. I feel like now I've reduced my risk by 95 percent. There's nothing I can do anymore to reduce my risk," she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Friedman notes that mammograms are still important.

"It's really how many women do you need to see to save a life. But if I tell you there's a 14 percent mortality reduction, that's enough for most people, and that's enough for us. Everything else is an economic argument," he said.

To view Dr. Friedman's interview on WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor," click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/25273959/detail.html