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.
Missy, I support what you wrote. It took a lot of courage,
Are you kidding me? Using your company for a personal opinion that is not grounded in the facts? Just how have you proven that your mother’s breast cancer was a direct result of HRT? Yes, HRT slightly increased the risk of breast cancer when you look across a population, but there’s only an association of your mother having breast cancer and taking HRT, no proof of causation.The improvement in breast cancer mortality over time is due to better screening. Are there limitations to screening and sometimes over-diagnosis and treatment? Of course, and we need to improve this.
I am a physician, and would err on over diagnosis and treatment in order to minimize the risk of death from breast cancer for me and my family any day.
Last week was the first time I bought something from your company, and now it will be the last.
There is so much research to support Ms. Park’s thoughts.Here is one link: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/fail-another-mammography-study-finds-they-dont-save-lives
There are plenty more if you do a quick search.
There is rationale for both sides of the discussion. It is a personal choice. Which risk do you prefer?
Please be careful with people who are making personal choices.
The vast majority of the respondents who are upset with what Missy wrote are either breast cancer survivors or medical professionals. Um, yeah, we know all about the research. And as everyone before me has said, it is worth a discussion. But to send this out – to actually email this out to their customer database – without full context is deplorable.
I applaud you Missy, for making a statement. In particular a statement that isn’t very popular right now. But I also agree with you, I think the pink ribbon campaign is such a fraud and cannot believe that people still support it? Do people no read or listen to what is going on?
I have also opted out of mammograms, now I know this must be an individual decision, and one that isn’t right for everyone. But people, don’t just jump and attack someone who makes an informed decision about something they are passionate about. Do your own research(if you haven’t already) and make your own statement, but don’t just assume and judge so much even if someone makes a decision that is opposite your own ideals and ideas. More than anything let’s applaud anytime someone makes such a well informed and researched decision and stand for something that is important to them and that they are passionate about.
Even if you can’t get behind opting out, at least take a long hard look at what is going on with the pink ribbon campaign and where all of the money for “awareness” is really going, if you don’t know, it might just shock you.
Thanks again Missy! I support you and think this is an amazing thing that you are doing!!!
P.S. I also have a great appreciation and gratitude for modern medicin, but sadly, in many instances it’s been hijacked by big pharma, big money and big corporations, that want nothing more than to keep people in fear and make money off of them.
I’m disappointed.
Missy Park is the founder of what is generally a really thoughtful company.
I’ve been a fan for YEARS. But she also has a fair amount of power, with
the ability to reach a wide audience.
Her OpEd on why she’s “opting out of mammograms” is provocative in a
negative sense and dangerous.
Let me be clear, she raises a thoughtful point: more dollars that go toward
breast cancer research/cure SHOULD get to research and cure.
However, this is AWARENESS month. This has deep emotion. And we (women)
still don’t have gender equality in health care! This is not the month to
raise this issue. Let Breast Cancer Awareness month go through and get its
attention. Then, maybe, raise the point that we really need to push for more
dollars going directly toward research.
Dangerous. Science and studies HAVE SHOWN that mammograms DO SAVE
LIVES. It’s dangerous as a leader to casually say you aren’t going to
get a mammogram. Yes there are false positives. Many know that, and
informed practitioners should share that with patients and then they can make an
INFORMED CHOICE TOGETHER. I don’t know Missy’s educational background, but
I’m pretty sure she’s not an OB/GYN. I realize, truly, that she is not
advising others not to do so, but again, sitting in the position of power
and authority that she does, does she not think that some other women might
follow her lead? The more I write, the angrier I get.
Extremely poor judgement on your part all around, and disappointing too,
because some of her points might have been raised more thoughtfully at an
entirely different time of the year. The emotion this month is around the support for survivors, and for those that fought brave battles and lost. Interrupting that may garner attention, but likely more negative attention than if it’s raised thoughtfully at another time.
I am disappointed, angry, and sad. Over my years as a Title Nine customer, I’ve grown to expect more from you as a company.
Emily Newman
Title Nine customer (of more than 15 years)
Studies have also shown that mammograms do not save lives. It is a choice with arguments on both sides. WIth a sister and mother who have both died from breast cancer that would have been worsened by mammograms (BRCA-1 positive), I am so happy to see someone with such a string voice speaking up. I know what we hear here. I also know about the wealth of data on both sides. It is a choice, and I applaud Ms. Park for using her voice to remind people that we have a choice.
I do not believe the platform you have chosen to express your view of mammograms is appropriate. I will no longer shop at Title Nine and will post on social media not to shop there because of this.
This is a completely irresponsible essay. Makes me never want to shop Title Nine again.
Missy – I do agree with much of that you’ve said here – there has been a lull in breast cancer research or at least we are no closer to a cue than we were before. But it truly upsets me when a prominent person as yourself says they are opting out of mammograms.
I am a mammographer – have been doing mammograms for over 40 years until I retired a few months ago. Over that time I have definitely seen the benefit of having annual mammograms. Everyday I saw women come in for screening mammograms and walk out with their lives changed forever. Some of those women had a family history, but more than half of the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
And I had my own mammogram last week – with a finding that was suspicious. After an ultrasound and a biopsy I find myself a victim of the disease that I have been fighting. I am sitting here one day after my lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. If I had waited a year or opted out of mammograms altogether, I would have had a much worse prognosis. Two months ago, my best friend was also diagnosed – she just started her chemo. Her cancer is much more complicated than mine. Her doctor tried to talk her into skipping a year. Thank God she didn’t. Without treatment this might have killed her in that time.
So I guess what I’m saying to you is to use your influence to make people aware of the unsuccessful research and advocate for awareness. But I beg of you not to discourage women from getting ANNUAL mammograms regardless of their family history. Go to a facility that does a lot of mammograms, have good equipment and excellent radiologists. Do your research. I was lucky to have worked at such a place – we saved lots of lives.
I’m not sure how old you are, but I’ve seen many cancers in women in their 30’s. And the risk increases with age. I am 68, in great shape, eat only organic foods, exercise every day. I do have a family history, but don’t really think that my current cancer is related to that. That’s the scary thing about breast cancer – it is random.
So wish me luck with my treatment – I hope to grow old with grace, fighting cancer along the way. And make me happy by getting your own mammograms annually. You fun a greater risk of dying from an undiagnosed breast cancer that you do from the minimal amount of radiation that you receive.
Hope this helps.
Mary Langley
Hope you’re doing well, Mary!
This is the letter I wrote to your customer service department. This has no place in a mailing from a clothing company; the author should make the disclaimer that she is not medically trained. This belongs in a blog post; not a mass email that could deter woman from receiving the medical screenings necessary. If mammograms are not for the author; that is her choice. If she does not want to support breast cancer charities; that is her choice. She has made an informed decision for herself; however she has presented a one sided argument against breast cancer screening that may influence another woman’s decision; and that woman does not have the benefit of making an informed decision and believes these “facts” over her medical providers. I would urge patients/everyone to NOT get your information from the internet or an editorial post; have an informed conversation with your doctor to determine if screening mammograms are right for you.
My response to their customer service:
I am the current chief of Breast Imaging in Kaiser Colorado. In the past year, we have detected over 400 breast cancers on mammography alone. Current research, including a study published just last week in showed a nearly 40% breast cancer mortality reduction due to screening mammograms. This is not a result of a change in hormone replacement formulation. Scientific studies have proven a statistically significant benefit in reducing breast cancer mortality rates.
I am absolutely appalled that I would receive an email from your company with recommendations for my medical care.
The woman who wrote this “editorial” is not medically trained and creates an environment of fear and may scare patients away from screenings that could save their lives.
You are a clothing company, not a medical company. I cannot believe that you are able to send out these mass emails; I will be contacting our state Medical society to see if any actions should be taken.
You send a dangerous message; you are not a health care provider and I no longer plan to remain a customer with you.
Dr. Alison Sandberg
Dr Alison, I question your opinion. I wonder how many Momograms did your company provide? How much did you charge? How many women had false positives? How many spent their time, money and energy worried when they tested positive only to be told after a costly biopsy that they not positive? What were their age groups? How accurate are your readings overall? Are there other options? Do the Ultra sounds that are being offered an fair option? Are they fear based verses health based as well? These are important questions. What is health care and preventative and what is the Corporation profits…I am worried that sometimes (often ) these lines blur? We need honest conversations with more facts and less rightous bullying. Are women better off that 50 years ago? Are there other choices that should be considered by Western Medicene? Are we as women required to submit or be kicked back so harshly because Missy’s opinion differs from the culture’s belief systems currently? Every opinion must be heard and every opinion is important. Each voice matters….each breast, each woman, each loved one. This is a complicated subject that needs more than judgmental people flinging their anger back at Missy. We need further factual conversations to help us all make healthy decisions. My best wishes to all. Learn more……
Wow. Bold statement, but horrible use of your business platform.
I’ll be shopping elsewhere.
I’m with you. I’ve opted out, also. I am very grateful for Western Medicine. However, I feel that we are over-tested and drugged, and I don’t want to live that way. I appreciate that you voiced your opinion. Thank you.