A computer-aided detection (CAD) system used in examining mammograms -- in hopes of detecting breast cancer earlier -- isn't nearly as accurate in finding it, another "innovation" of conventional medicine gone awry.

Almost a decade after being approved for use by the FDA, CAD systems didn't report more incidents of breast cancer, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study. In fact, using them led to more false reports, requiring additional tests and biopsies that were completely unnecessary.

The problem: CAD systems detected D.C.I.S. (ductal carcinoma in situ), a precancerous condition believed to be where invasive breast cancer begins, with greater frequency. Often, D.C.I.S. is a harmless condition that grows very, very slowly or never develops into breast cancer. At centers that used CAD systems, the number of D.C.I.S. reports grew sharply, just not signs of invasive cancers, again pushing more unnecessary procedures.

Generally, mammograms aren't a good idea, as an article I wrote some seven years ago proved they don't reduce a woman's mortality risks from breast cancer.

Moreover, the National Cancer Institute points out monthly breast self-examinations, coupled with annual clinical breast exams by a trained health care professional, are at least as effective as having a mammogram. If you aren't sure how to perform a breast self-exam, you'll want to read this handy how-to article.

Just a reminder, you can dramatically reduce, if not virtually eliminate your risk of cancer, if you follow my extensive list of safe, simple and natural recommendations.