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Scientists should be educated about breast cancer
Let’s call this my sound-off column.
When I heard about this study, I actually did a little research. I could not believe what I was hearing on the news reports. It was true.
The research says, Women don’t need baseline mammograms until they are 50, and self-examination is a waste of time. I kind of paraphrased, but you get the jest. Are you kidding me?
For 20 years we have tried to educate women about early detection. Find the cancer early and you can live longer. What’s changed?
Now they are saying to throw away everything you have ever learned. They have new guidelines.
From what I can understand they are more worried about the radiation in the mammogram or the cost. I’m not sure which is more important.
These scientists think women are wasting their money or insurance money by having a screening at 40.
The other reason was it stresses women out to have mammograms, and they worry about the results. Best quote on that ‘Women die from breast cancer everyday, I don’t hear anyone having died from worry.’
The American Cancer Society totally disagrees with the findings. And, for the record I also disagree.
I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 50. A mammogram did not find the lump. I did.
No history of breast cancer. Lots of cancer in my family, but not breast cancer. I was not your typical breast cancer patient. Yet, when I found my lump I was already at stage 3.
We have always known mammograms are not perfect. For now it is the best we have.
What happened, to one in every eight woman will have breast cancer in her lifetime?
Breast cancer has in no way been eradicated. Women are dying every day.
Since the 1990’s breast cancer mortalities are about half of what they were in the 80s. We must be doing something right. Now they want to change the game plan.
The reason more people are surviving today is because of early detection and better treatment. Not because they don’t have cancer.
Having gone through treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I think any woman with breasts should have a baseline mammogram. Unrealistic, but that’s what I think.
Whatever these studies show, if you have breasts you are at risk for cancer. Your best chance of survival is find it early and treat aggressively. Okay, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to treat any illness early for a better outcome.
I heard a news report that out of 1900 women who received mammograms, only one had cancer. I bet that one is sure glad she had that mammogram.
I for one will not change what I have been doing; I am at the age they recommend a screening and will continue to have yearly mammograms.
All I can say is that each person will need to make their own decision on this study. But don’t let a group of scientists make that decision for you. Know your body and it will tell you when something is wrong. It’s called self-examination.
A post script note: According to news reports the Federal Government is distancing themselves from this study. Smart move.
E-mail: Kathi Nailling
generalmanager@cedarcreekpilot.com
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