Mammogram Myths Exposed: The Real Truth About Breast Cancer Screening with Dr. Jenn Simmons

For decades, women have been told the same story: mammograms save lives. They’re painted as the gold standard for breast cancer prevention — a rite of passage once you hit your forties. But what if that story isn’t the full picture? What if the very test meant to protect us is also leading to unnecessary fear, invasive treatments, and even harm?

In this powerful episode of Grounded Wellness, host Bethany McDaniel sits down with Dr. Jenn Simmons, a former top breast cancer surgeon turned functional medicine practitioner, who is leading a revolution in women’s health. Dr. Simmons knows the system from the inside. After years in the operating room, she saw firsthand the toll of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Women were enduring surgeries, chemotherapy, and lifelong medication regimens for cancers that never would have impacted their lives. The stakes are enormous: more than 20–30% of breast cancer diagnoses each year fall into this category of unnecessary treatment.

Bethany and Dr. Simmons pull back the curtain on the mammogram myth vs reality, unpacking the real truth about mammograms — and pointing to safer, smarter alternatives. This episode doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, but it also delivers hope, clarity, and a path forward for women who want to take ownership of their health.

Tune in to hear an eye-opening chat about:

• Why mammograms often fail to deliver the promised life-saving results.
  

• The hidden crisis of breast cancer overdiagnosis and how it harms women.
  

• The industry forces fueling the “pink ribbon” narrative.
  

• Breakthrough alternatives like the Auria tear test, which offers safer breast cancer screening with remarkable accuracy.
  

• The role of functional medicine in building true, lasting breast health.
  

Women don’t have to accept the old belief that mammograms are the only path to safety. The truth is more nuanced — and far more empowering. When we shift from fear-based screening to evidence-based, holistic prevention, everything changes: less unnecessary treatment, more clarity, and a healthier relationship with our bodies.

This episode isn’t about rejecting medical tools outright. It’s about asking better questions, demanding transparency, and embracing the tools that actually serve us.

If you enjoyed this post, check out the full episode of Grounded Wellness to hear Bethany and Dr. Simmons cover topics like:

→ The real truth about mammograms and what women deserve to know.
→ How overdiagnosis fuels overtreatment (and how to avoid it).
→ Why pink-ribbon culture keeps us stuck in awareness — not prevention
→ Cutting-edge alternatives like the Auria test for safer breast cancer screening.
→ How functional medicine can transform breast health from reactive to proactive.