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 thought a lot about this letter/post and how to respond. I am so happy to see that most people agree that a. This logic is very skewed and b. The use of your business customer email database to share your skewed views is completely inappropriate. You are certainly entitled to your position, as we all are. And, It would have been one thing if you just posted your views on Facebook or the Title Nine blog and truly opened this to conversation. But you didn’t do that, you took it upon yourself to share these views via email. When I subscribed to Title Nine’s email list- it was for information about your products and your store- not to hear your personal views on something that is both very personal and very important. I am really disappointed and actually bummed as there was a lot of stuff I wanted from T9, but I will think twice about supporting a company that feels this kind of “conversation” is appropriate.
I am an oncology NP and every day, I meet women who are facing very real decisions about mammography, risk reduction, cancer treatment and genetic testing. These women and their families need our support not misguided information.
I was diagnosed with stage 3 lobular breast cancer three years ago – after having years of mammograms every six months (based on an earlier finding of LCIS – a pre-cancerous abnormality that predicts a higher chance of getting breast cancer). Lobular breast cancer doesn’t form lumps and it usually doesn’t show up on a mammogram – so in my case, the mammograms were not helpful. I don’t know the right answer to whether people should get mammograms or not. I know it’s an open topic. I still get them every year because I want every chance I can have. Many, many friends with ductal cancer have found their tumors because of mammograms. I am fortunate to have gotten incredibly good care. The critical thing to me – more than whether or not people should get mammograms (a decision we all need to make with our doctors) is that there really isn’t much money for research (other than pharma research) – and almost nothing for research into prevention. All the pink ribbons and hoopla every October don’t help at all with this. There are a few places that do that kind of research – and I am so grateful that anyone is thinking that way. No one should have to go through the horrors of this disease. I say that as one of the lucky ones that so far has done pretty well.
To all the OBG/GYNS writing in with such blistering criticism, how many of you would admit to the lack of nutitional training you received (and never supplemented with CE courses)? How many would admit to the fact that it is the MRI which would be the test of preference (and would eliminate the terribly fearful unnecessary biopsies for the many false positives?) If one actually studies world-wide opinion of medical professionals many have admitted to disliking the entire protocol and believe that chemotherapy is completely useless.
The real problem is not that there are differing opinions (for those open to new information ) but that women are not educated about choices (which they have the right to make) as big pharma runs both medical schools and the AMA, and it seems that only doctors who have been persecuted for holding different opinions or those who are old enough to feel that they have less to lose will express their dismay.
Doctors, you have lost my trust. I no longer follow your orders, obeying because you genuinely believe that your opinion is the ONLY opinion.
Free from prescription pad medicine, free from dangerous protocols and open to hearing new information from all scholarly sources,
Suze
You are entitled to your opinion. So am I. As a doctor, I spent years learning about risks & benefits of screening (including breast cancer). I understand the politics behind the “pink-washing” and yes I get it. I wish more research money was spent on other causes too. However, I would NEVER recommend anyone skip a mammogram- and I’m a doctor…are you?
Thank goodness someone feels the same way I do about mammograms!
It’s an interesting discussion. Mammograms may be helpful in detecting breast cancer in some women, but they are not helpful in detecting breast cancer in women with very dense breast tissue. Ultrasounds and MRIs do a much better job of detecting cancer in dense breast tissue. Even though my mom had breast cancer, caused by the Hormone Replacement Therapy, I also have opted to not have a mammogram every year. I had a mammogram for 5 years in a row, starting at 35 years old, and every year the radiologist and doctor would look at the completely white mammogram results and see nothing. There is no way they could see anything but white, so it seems like a waste to expose myself to the radiation every year. I asked about having an ultrasound instead of a mammogram, and they said that insurance won’t cover it (and I have great insurance!). So sadly, I’ve become cynical that the push for mammograms is more about making money than really saving lives. Mammograms may help some detect breast cancer earlier, but the mortality statistics aren’t getting better. I haven’t decided what to do, but I’m leaning torward going every 2-3 years for a mammogram instead. Good article to foster a debate/discussion on the topic.
Three years ago my sister died from breast cancer, in part because she delayed getting a mammogram. Maybe she wasn’t “aware” enough?
My sisters death was the reason my wife got a mammogram (1 month after my sisters passing) only to find out she too had breast cancer…but VERY luckily it was in the early stage. If she had waited she may have seen the same outcome as my sister. Thankfully she is doing great now.
How do we stop people like Missy Park from spreading such gross negligence? My guess is by not giving her a forum. My wife will never buy from Title Nine again neither will anyone we know.
Note to Missy: you should stick to telling people whether your size medium runs small not spewing such ignorance
Missy-
I’m a long time Title Nine customer, a two-year breast cancer survivor, and mother. When I was diagnosed, my only wish was that I would be able to raise my young child. I am blessed with a brave daughter, a supporting husband, and a “village” of many, many wonderful friends. I took a walk or run everyday during chemotherapy (in those warm Title Nine pants) and thankfully, had a positive outcome. I’m raising my child.
During breast cancer awareness month, my family and I hope everyone we know will take time to reflect on how to make positive change. We also hope everyone will respond sensitively to the variety of different feelings that many may experience during this month. As such, I want to hear your feelings and opinions with an open mind, but it was somewhat painful for me to read them as I feel you may not have considered how I, your loyal customer and breast cancer survivor, would feel reading them.
Here’s what I wish you had said:
-Make sure you pay attention to charities you support. That pink ribbon alone doesn’t necessarily mean it’s helping in a way you would like. (For example, the invention of the drug Herceptin has saved countless lives, including mine. The invention of this drug by Dr. Dennis Slamon almost didn’t happen because of lack of funding.)
-Self-exams every month are important. A lump in your breast is often nothing, but sometimes it’s something and doctors can help you make an informed decision.
-Be supportive and kind to all of your friends and family all year round.
Missy, I wish you nothing but the best. I hope you are healthy and happy, and I hope you think carefully about what you send out next October. I know these issues are complicated and emotional.
To anyone else who may be reading this, I hope you’re healthy and happy too. To those who are going through health challenges, I pray your outcome is positive and you’ll soon be, as I am, feeling well with renewed appreciation for every beautiful day.
I just have to comment again that I am so appalled by this. I am hoping that manufacturers that supply to you will find out about this and quit using you as a vendor of their products. I also hope this impacts your business negatively so you know how foolish this was to do!
I was so sorry to read this post. I’ve enjoyed your products and admired objectives of your company but will no longer be purchasing from Title Nine.
Whether or not I’ve had breast cancer (I have), and whether or not I believe each individual has the right to make his/her own decision about preventive care and treatment plans (I absolutely do), I fundamentally believe that everyone deserves to have an accurate awareness of our current scientific understanding of disease, from prevention through diagnosis and treatment.
I may not agree with your decision to opt out of mammograms, but I respect that you may choose for yourself. However, I cannot tolerate your misrepresentation and broadcasting of misinformation regarding advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. There has been a 34% reduction in breast cancer deaths since 1990. This is attributed to better treatment, increased awareness, and more frequent check ups. Are there other factors? Probably. Do we need a greater understanding of science and efficacy of treatment? Of course. Did you advocate for that? No. You presented misinformation to justify your personal decision. I hope that others have access to medical professionals who will help them understand actual science so that they can make their own decision based on facts, not your inaccuracies.
I’m not suggesting we plaster our world with pink ribbons. Awareness is important and saves lives. Hard dollars spent on breast cancer research save lives. I also favor donating to research over increased awareness. But I won’t support someone (and their company) who presents misinformation.
Opinions are only valid if expressed by “medical professionals ” and the rest of the scientists be damned? Therein lies the problem.
I am a scientist and wholeheartedly support science and research, but I’m not a medical professional. Understanding the science doesn’t qualify me to give medical advice. When I need medical advice, I seek out medical professionals who base their advice/opinions on facts. I do not support opinions based on personal preference.
Again, I’m not arguing Missy’s right to make her own decision. I don’t want her to misrepresent the facts and thereby potentially influence others irresponsibly.
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” – Daniel Patrick Moynihan
I,and Missy, seem to know a different set of “facts”; oh, how easy is it to make the right combination of numbers say what you wish it to say. Ask any statistician. ……