We invite you to join in the conversation by leaving a comment below.
Read More:
“Why Doctors Are Rethinking Breast-Cancer Treatment.” Time Magazine, October 1, 2015.
“Our Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer.” Peggy Orenstein. The New York Times, April 25, 2013.
I am one of those who have recently gone through the alarm if a flunked mammogram and additional (possibly unnecessary – definitely terrifying) testing – only to be told that I’m fine (or at least I don’t have cancer).
I also know 4 (FOUR!!) women who were diagnosed with breast cancers this year (all under age 45) one of them at Stage IV…
I’ll stick with the chance of early detection, thank you.
That is certainly a choice each woman needs to make for herself.
While I agree that awareness campaigns do not deliver the funding to research the way we are led to believe, I disagree with using that as a reason for skipping mammography.
Having had my first breast biopsy at age 28, and avoiding cervical cancer by having a hysterectomy at age 40 (no HRT!), I have my own personal bias towards getting tested. Not only do I have mammograms as ordered by my doctor, they generally send me for additional ultrasounds.
In short, while opting out may be the right choice for some, it is a rather irresponsible stance to promote to every woman.
Oh, and if TitleNine is actually reading these replies, can I please beg you to expand your sizing? All your clothes are for skinny, flat-chested women. Big women go outdoors too, I promise! I have been a competitive sailor for more than 30 years! Oh, and find me an excessive bra… In 38J… I need one more than everyone else.
I too am a 8 year survivor diagnosed at 40. I had two surgeries, and 14 months of treatment. Without my mammogram, I would be dead. I am outraged that Missy talked at a level of arrogance and ignorance and I am assuming her mother had a mammo as well which indicated breast cancer. These women do not know what it is like to think that you might die from the disease, the sleepless nights, and the hell of treatment. I am beyond grateful that modern science includes mammograms at 40, and for most of us, insurance covered. Without, many of us would not be here.You go ahead and play russian roulette with your health Missy, quit getting mammograms, but do not enourage others thru your job to do the same.
I totally agree! I add that there are other kinds of preventive exams that can be done without adding extra radiation to our body. I won’t be doing it anymore. Also, mom and grandmother, both died from cancer… I will fight, but I am choosing my weapons….
I feel the SAME way. When I try to explain my stance to people they either call me crazy or just look at me like I am. Thank you for putting this out there. I am sure it wasn’t easy knowing you would get “crazy” emails.
I was pretty upset when I read this missive from Ms. Park. IT’s one thing to have an opinion on such a controversial topic, but to put it front and center on a website advertising merchandise, is self- promotion with no regard to women who are making difficult choices on a daily basis. I am a breast cancer survivor, who would most likely have had a less than desirable outcome had it not been for a mammogram. Are they the best option? Maybe not, but for many women, they are the best option they have access to. Please don’t post your opinion on this topic and try to sway women to re-think having a mammogram – it may very well be the one that saves their life.
I completely believe in Missy’s right to her opinion. I do not share her opinion, and I think her thought process is ill-informed. With a strong family history of breast cancer, opting out of early detection is like sticking your head in the sand. But that’s MIssy’s choice and one she hopefully gets to live with.
I also agree that too much money is spent on awareness and not enough on designing better methods of detecting tumors early and developing more effective methods of treatment. So I do my own research and choose to donate to organizations that spend their money on the areas that I think are important.
My problem with Missy’s post is not what she’s said, even though I strongly disagree. First, while your intent of opening up a conversation about the issues of mammograms and breast cancer-focused charities was a good one, you dropped a bomb and walked away. Not a peep from you on the subject since you opened the “conversation” – you’re not taking part in the conversation you started.
My bigger problem is the way you shared your message with the masses. I don’t appreciate that you sent an email to your entire subscriber list. I signed up because I wanted to hear what was going on at Title Nine, sales, events, etc… Not to hear your personal musings. And that’s why I’m unsubscribing from Title Nine.
Was just told that because my mammogram showed dense breast tissue , I should have a breast ultrasound to be sure. And , oh by the way , it is not covered by insurance and will cost me about $2,500.00 ! I understand that some insurance companies cover erectile dysfunction medication , but not my possible health risk ? Something wrong here. To think I have worked 40 years full time as a nurse taking care of hiv , hepatitis c and who knows what else diseases in my patients and my insurance company is letting me down. Very sad state of affairs.
yes, very sad … i am so sorry for this injustice … and we pay so much for health insurance …
When new guidelines came out I jumped on board, but my doctor did not. I finally agreed to have a mammogram, my doctor kept calling till I made the appointment, I did not have any lumps. Turns out I did have triple negative invasive carcinoma,the mammogram saved my life. So not with you on the mammogram side. I am with you on the fact that people are exploiting this disease with the pink money making machine and demeaning women with sayings like save the ta tas when we want to save our lives.
This article conflates so many issues that it is confusing and misleading. Here’s a few:
-HRT as a cause of cancer
-Too much awareness, not enough research
-The failure of research to save lives
-False positives
Except perhaps for the false positives, there’s nothing here to justify the skipping of mammograms. But even a false positive, when followed up with further testing, isn’t the worst thing in the world. If the headline is “why I’m skipping mammograms”, then justify it with current research. Otherwise, it is just fear-mongering. The American Cancer Society that has clear guidelines/recommendations around age and frequency based on epidemiological research. It’s not magic, but it’s the best information we have.
I like the ideas around more money for research (for ALL types of cancer, not just breast cancer) and for providing each other with support. That is a message I can get behind and so can everyone.