DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please answer my question. My doctor said he doesn’t recommend mammograms for older women. I am in my mid-80s. I haven’t had a mammogram for a few years. What are your thoughts on this matter? — L.B.

ANSWER: Your question is one that stirs up a lot of controversy. I’ll give you the views of some experts.

The American Cancer Society says there is no age limit for having mammograms. The society urges women who are in good health to get an annual mammogram regardless of age.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of respected scientists, tells women to continue with mammograms at older ages, either annually or every two years, as long as their life expectancy is not shortened by another serious illness.

The American Geriatric Society encourages women to have a mammogram every two or three years past age 75.

Other doctors feel that 80 is a reasonable age to stop having mammograms. Their opinion is that breast cancer at older ages grows slowly, and subjecting women to continued mammograms burdens them with the possibility of enduring further procedures if the mammogram shows questionable findings.

I side with those who opt to continue mammograms regardless of age if the woman is in good health. Should you feel strongly about having one done, tell your doctor. If he won’t allow it, see another doctor.

Mammograms have done much to decrease deaths from breast cancer. The booklet on breast cancer delves into this common cancer in great detail. Readers who would like a copy can obtain one by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 1101, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve just been diagnosed with high blood pressure (145/95). I am trying to find a medicine that agrees with me. I am currently trying my third medicine. One made me cough. The last two made me drowsy. Is there a new drug that’s better than the old standards? — B.C.

ANSWER: How about trying to lower your pressure without medicines? Cut back on salt. The biggest portion of dietary salt comes from commercial foods — things like soups, frozen dinners, luncheon meats and many others. You have to read labels carefully, looking for sodium or salt. They’re the same thing. Exercise daily. Lose weight. Increase the amount of calcium (low-fat dairy products) and potassium in your diet.

More than 31 blood-pressure medicines are on the market. If going the nonmedicine route doesn’t lower your pressure, you still have 28 more medicines to try. You want a medicine whose cost is modest and whose side effects are few. Often a diuretic (water pill) can bring pressure to lower levels without an exorbitant expense and prohibitive side effects. Hydrochlorothiazide is an often-prescribed diuretic.

The newest blood pressure drug is Tekturna (aliskiren). New drugs are always expensive. This drug should be saved for people who have gotten nowhere with the 31 older drugs.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Recent bone scans suggest I have osteopenia. My doctor recommends I take Boniva. There is no history of osteoporosis in my family, and many of my relatives have lived into their 90s. I believe there is a difference in bone elasticity versus bone brittleness. What test determines the difference? — J.W.

ANSWER: J.W., you’ll have to excuse me. I haven’t heard much discussion, if any, about bone elasticity. By elasticity, do you mean how far a bone can be bent without fracturing and still spring back to its normal shape? I know of no test that demonstrates this feature. I believe it’s better that you stick with the tried-and-true tests for osteoporosis, the chief one being a DEXA bone scan.

Calcium and vitamin D also contribute to bone strength.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.