The Great Breast Cancer Debate
"When all else fails.....angels pick us up and carry us home....."
Well, here we are at the end of 2009 and we are no closer to getting a handle on what a woman should or should not do to prevent cancer. At least not according to what organized medicine in the U.S. has to say anyway.
For years, the generally accepted practice was for a woman to get annual mammograms, semi-annual if she was taking birth control pills or had a family history of breast cancer, and perform the (what was considered to be) lifesaving monthly breast exams.
There was a great deal of attention given to self examination back in the day. Doctors’ offices regularly slapped the wrists of female patients who admitted to rarely if ever feeling around the breast area in search of a lump. Printed material was handed out by the staff of those same doctors as well. Clear and serious instruction was given to us ladies. It was imperative that we examine our breasts thoroughly, and ideally both before and after our monthly menstrual cycle. I recall one booklet in particular, suggesting that we practice self-examination every time we got into the shower to form a good habit.
Now, of course, that is all changing. The question is – why?
Has anyone noticed that the number of breast cancer patients has continued to rise despite all the hooplah about mammograms? Doesn’t it seem strange? Of course!
Twenty three years ago I was pregnant with my first child, and I remember the doctor telling me that he did not think an ultrasound was a good idea just as a matter of course. He said that it should be something that was done to rule out a problem, and if nothing indicated a problem might exist, the expecting mom should not take the risk.
Risk?! I sat up straight at that and looked him square in the eyes, let me tell you. There was a risk, he said, and no one in the medical community knew for certain what that might be but that it did exist and that when it came to carrying a new life in your body, a woman needed to be well informed and make an educated decision about any test-taking.
I can remember letting out a breath I had been holding and quickly agreed with the man. By God, he was right!
And so the same philosophy should apply to mammograms. At least that’s what I always figured. And long after that particular doctor had moved away I had a discussion with the new physician about why I should get an annual or even biannual mammogram. My concern was that it was a diagnostic procedure, not a preventative one. This man looked me as though I had twelve heads on my shoulders. He just didn’t get my point at the time. I think, given what has been in the media lately, he finally does.
My decision, made years ago, was to take very seriously the monthly self-examinations, but not to proceed with the annual mammograms (the doctor I went to when I was 40 said it was something all women “my age” should do – I didn’t agree with that!) and I am happy that I made that decision.
No one knows for sure that the scans we subject our bodies to are harmless. Let’s face it, there is no way that anyone can know. But, gently kneading and checking your breasts each month, looking for lumps is, something I say without reservation, completely safe. I can’t imagine any woman being hurt from such an act. And, since it can save your life, it could be the best decision you ever make.
And so, at age 52, with a long list of educational credentials and this many years of keeping myself in what is considered to be great shape, this woman says to every woman out there who reads this:
“Please perform a breast self-exam every month, at least. Report any changes, lumps, bumps or “something that feels odd” in your breast area. That includes the chest area around your breasts and under your arms as well. Don’t let the articles stop you!”
When all is said and done we women are, quite literally, safe in our own hands!
Stay healthy!
For those of you who don’t have this, here are clear instructions about examining your breasts:
My mother died from breast cancer at 48, and my sister has had an irregular pap test. I’m 43 and so far I’m okay but I would never go without doing a self exam. I just don’t trust the mammograms to tell us everything.
I know lots of women who say they will still do a self-exam no matter what anyone says. I agree.
I do a monthly breast exam too. I don’t care what anyone says, it’s safe and if I find a lump I’m getting it checked out. It’s crazy that doctors are going along with this. It’s just the insurance company’s at work again.
My dr says that monthly breast exams save lives! Thank you, Nancy for speaking out in favor of them!
xoxo