feelyourboobies.com
While I find it pretty odd that the task force of 16 declaring women don’t need mammograms starting at age 40 anymore does not include any oncologists — what? — I won’t spend too much time arguing about this topic. I just don’t have the tools to determine whether or not this is a good recommendation. I mean, I tend to think not, but I see the point that over-testing does lead to false positives, anxiety and unnecessary biopsies. A mammogram did not find my cancer, after all — I did. Which brings me to the point I am going to argue.
This same panel says women should stop conducting breast self-exams, and they should no longer be taught how to perform them. Seems they are not all that effective in turning up cancerous tumors, and there is no difference in mortality rates between women who perform them and women who do not. Uh, not so fast — there’s no doubt in my mind I’d be dead right now had I not been examining myself in the shower five years ago yesterday.
OK, so I’m just one woman, but isn’t that enough? And what exactly is wrong with doing the exam? Maybe it’s ineffective and doesn’t work — but is it hurting anything to do it, just in case? Why tell women to stop? Why not just tell them to not rely heavily on the outcome?
Here’s what I’m saying: Keep feeling your boobies! When you come across something that feels funny, go to your doctor and let that person determine whether you should worry or not.
Just be safe.
Not sorry.
Tags: breast self-exams, mammograms
I was hoping you were going to address this article. I went ballistic when I saw it yesterday. “Hey! You women, just stay ignorant of your bodies. Don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine.”
Excuse me? Doesn’t EVERYONE pretty much agree that early detection is essential?
This feels remarkably like a bunch of insurance companies not wanting to pay for all those mammograms anymore. And it makes me spitting mad.
I am with you Jacki! Although I am not as diligent as I should be, I have found 2 lumps that were not detected with a mammogram. I had surgical biopsies on both and luckily both were benign, but you never know. . .
Hi Jacki,
I wanted to contact you but I couldn’t find your email address. Could you please sent it to me?
Thanks,
Sarah
I am a 39 year old female who is approaching her 2 year mark of diagnosis. My DCIS would not have been detected if it had not been for a mamogram. Had I waited until 50 , well lets face it, I’d be dead. So please do not allow the govt to dictate good health care for women. Our counrty has finally gotten to a place women are putting their health care first. Lets not lose years of taking control. Meliss I’m with you I’m totally fired up!!
I’m with you Jacki! I was appalled at this new recommendation… with younger and younger women being diagnosed, i could not believe that they had the audacity to make these ridiculous recommendations!
I hope everyone saves their pennies to have mammos at 30 and that they follow your lead and keep feeling their boobies!
In the case of breast cancer, prevention is definitely better than cure. Dietary modifications, incorporating particular food prescriptions – which are nutrient-dense and are anti-oxidant power-houses, regular exercise, maintenance of an ideal body weight, and making certain lifestyle changes, will go a long way in staving off the disease.