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 have just been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer that I found myself. Although I did skip last years mammogram. I’m still in the diagnostics and treatment plan stage. Truly I believe it was years of mammograms (which I’m not a great candidate for; dense breasts are so hard to read with these) birth control and years of HRT after a hysterectomy at 36 that contributed to this. At 54, I still thought I couldn’t be without HRT since my ovaries were also removed. I wish I was more informed. It’s a personal choice about mammograms…and make sure your donation dollars actually go to the cause.
Thank you for articulating the disparity between awareness (we’ve all got plenty it seems), accessing accurate information (not nearly enough of this), and fundraising versus actual cancer research funding/results. I feel like the public gets bombarded with fluffy messages about screening but does not question the end-game nor where the money goes. As for kindness to women affected by this disease, OF COURSE our world can always benefit from more compassion…thank you for your advocacy.
Had it not been for my mammogram I would be dead. My mammogram found my cancer – Stage III. I for one will always believe in the mammogram and very thankful I had mine every year at age 40. Early detection is the key to living. I skipped a year due to putting busy schedules before myself, otherwise my treatment plan probably would have been a lot simpler and easier than surgeries, chemo and radiation to be able to live and probably a Stage I or II diagnosis. So for me – I believe mammograms save lives!!
Within the past two weeks, I received my first copy of a Title Nine catalog. I quickly hustled-off to my nearest store and was thrilled to see that the catalog accurately represented items. I purchased several and decided to make Title Nine my new clothing hangout! Now I read your comments on breast cancer. I am sorely disappointed and am rethinking future purchases.
As a retired health care professional, I need to respond. Your negativism about mammography is unfortunately misleading. Your reference about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) causing your mother’s breast cancer is distressing , but also misleading. We have made significant strides addressing the complexity of breast cancer. Cancer cells of any kind are ever-eluding research. I reflect on past, current, professional and personal experiences with breast cancer. I am grateful for progress in diagnosis (including mammography) treatment, and support relative to breast cancer.
Your status as an entrepreneur and founder of a successful business puts you in a position of influence. P,ease use that influence to empower women and men to seek out breast cancer resources that we currently have as well as to encourage them to become involved in what might become resources of the future.
This post made me sad. Title Nine has great clothes, and find their marketing has been inspirational and empowering to women. But this post is basically Missy’s rant on her opinion on a healthcare issue. A decision that we, as women, can make on our own, without the CEO of a sportswear company swaying us. Isn’t our world (and the internet) filled with enough rants from non-experts on important subjects? I would welcome advice on bathing suits and running tights from Title Nine, I will go to people I trust for my healthcare decisions. It doesn’t matter if I agree with you or not, I don’t need more rants and negativity in my inbox from someone who just happens to have a large mailing list. I opt out of Title Nine.
Discussion could not have come at a better time for me personally! I’m 47 years old and have been on the “treatment” roller coaster for the past 2 years. From a suspicious mammogram with almost certainty that it was “not good” through 2 surgeries because of fear of false negative biopsy to 3 month watch appointments I’ve been just about to the point of putting my foot down. While I whole heatedly believe that each and every case is individual and each and every decision is personal….I gotta tell you, I’m starting to feel like I’m being used to pay for the brand new early detection system recently installed in my Women’s Hospital. I’m taking my health back into my own hands and refusing to just nod my head and say okay when every time I walk into an appointment it ends in …. we better biopsy that. WHAT, really…? Time for a deep breath, a little more research and more educated decisions. Thank you Missy!
Amen, sister! We are drowning in awareness and starving for actual cures. Its way past time to start thinking beyond mainstream medicine which can only attempt to fix the problem after the fact and look towards prevention with nutrition and lifestyle changes. Take charge of your own health. As for mammograms, try thermography instead.
I found Missy’s opinion to be very refreshing, because I feel the same way. I am 46 and do not get mammograms. The people here espousing the benefits of the medical system are of course very invested, it is their lives, so of course they will say the things they do. Exposure to extra radiation causes cancer; how many mammograms a woman wants is a personal decision. How many she needs is certainly debatable. I also have always thought the pink ribbon campaign was complete bullshit; there are already several cures for cancer. If you are talking about PREVENTION, then say so. Prevention would mean many dietary and environmental changes that would require major governmental regulation. The medical industry is not helping with that. If you care about preventing breast cancer for yourself, get away from as many xenoestrogens as you can, ASAP. And if you don’t know what those are, Google it.
Doesn’t anyone think for themselves anymore or take the time to read AND comprehend what is written!!! Missy clearly states this is her choice, it may not work for
you! As for the real meat of her opinion, I couldn’t agree more with the common sense prin
Wha? Lady- choices are PERFECT and GREAT and I agree, she should have one, but not like this. I didn’t ask to be part of this, I was sent this info by Title nine. The “meat” is the “opt out.” Spread the word, don’t spread your decision to quit on modern medicine. Do it alone, Be strong alone, seriously. This will, I guarantee, cause someone to die, don’t join the ignorance.
Thank you for this. It’s important to learn ALL of the facts. We know much more today and must stay current. I value Dr. Mercola immensely and he thoroughly researches everything he teaches. Here is his latest: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/10/14/mammography-promotion.aspx?e_cid=20151014Z1_DNL_5OFF_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20151014Z1_DNL_5OFF&et_cid=DM87888&et_rid=1168937593
Your faith in Mercola is somewhat misguided. His claims are mostly unfounded and he promotes dangerous ideas (like avoiding sunscreen-a proven cancer prevention strategy). He makes a lot of money promoting distrust in conventional medicine, then selling unproven alternatives. It frustrates me how people can be so angry at profits big pharma makes, but not see the money people like Dr Mercola are making from this distrust of pharmaceuticals.
Here is an article with an alternative view on Dr Mercola https://badscidebunked.wordpress.com/category/mercola-2/