"Mad" in both senses of the word—crazy happy for mammograms because ten weeks after mine in January 2009, a stage 1 tumor was taken out of my body; and my life began anew as a "survivor."
And angry mad about mammograms because ironically, on the first anniversary of my mammogram, in November 2009, there was big news—a recommendation to change the mammogram guidelines. The study reported that women under 50 benefit from them, but their limitations (overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies) outweigh those benefits for those not at high risk.
I was in a tizzy, along with many other under-50 survivors, and joined those who started a petition on breastcancer.org. I had not yet been vocal about my experience, but that day I felt compelled to hang out the banner I posted on Facebook.
A mammogram had saved me from chemo, and had possibly saved my life. There is absolutely no question that mammograms save many lives.
Back to November 2008, sitting in the hallway of the breast imaging facility, next to an elderly woman, we were both still wearing our gowns. Funny how certain memories remain ingrained. Another irony—the radiologist came out and told her she could get dressed and leave while he took me to another room.
Calcifications are calcium deposits that show up as white spots on a mammogram. The way they were grouped caused the radiologist to label them as "suspicious". But he said three out of four times they were harmless.
I was given a piece of paper with breast surgeons names on it. I didn't recognize any of them, there had been no reason to go to one before. I hadn't been considered high risk. My family history wasn't heavy with breast cancer—I later learned that only a small percentage (10-15%) of breast cancers are hereditary. I had my first child at 27 and had nursed three children for four years (this lowers your risk). The thing is you don't always know you're high risk until you get the first biopsy results.
Helene is a 44-year-old breast cancer survivor, mother of three, and resident of White Plains. She works as a freelance editor of legal study guides.
I have a question. How many people do you know who have had breast cancer (I don't mean acquaintances-I mean friends)? I have 2 really good friends who have had breast cancer-one's life was forever altered because a "top" doctor who was addicted to pain medication and butchered her. It has been almost 6 years and she still recovered emotionally. I think that most women do not enjoy mammographies but we feel that it is a necessary preventative. A family member had an abnormal mammography and biopsy-it turned out to be a calcification. But she was lucky. How many women do not have access to the same medical care that you or I have and how many women die from breast cancer each year? One life lost that was preventable is one life too many (whether it is breast cancer or prostate cancer). Life is precious we need to start valuing it again. Unfortunately, in the US we have become so focused on money that things like health are not paid attention to. That is sad. What we really need to do is come up with a less invasive test that will save lives. We have the technology to make a cellphone act like a computer, but we do not have the technology to create a robust test that will save lives. Thank you. Naomi
The NY Times article that Adam shares a link to measures whether women have been "helped" by a mammogram ONLY IN TERMS OF SURVIVAL. So it negates any value of finding a cancer early -- because I found mine at a VERY early stage, I did not require chemo (chemo itself puts you at higher risk of getting other cancers), and I have an excellent prognosis. Gosh, there certainly is value in that.
I've been writing about the breast cancer storyline on the tv series "Parenthood". So far 7 entries. If you would like to read them, click n my name at the top of the blog.
I'be been blogging about the tv series "Parenthood"'s breast cancer storyline. If you're interested in reading the 7 entries, click on my name at the top of the blog.