It's not hard to find a breast cancer survivor who thinks routine mammograms are a good idea.
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comMammogram row heats up: To screen or not?
Seeded on Wed Apr 7, 2010 9:49 AM EDT (msnbc.com)
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I hope this evidence does not prove to be like the famous hockey stick supporting global warming!
Just what I was thinking, it looks like scientists are bigger babies and prima donnas then politicians.
I am a scientist, I have a doctorate in chemistry. I had two brilliant chemists working for me on a project and the two of them use to come into my office arguing over who used who's glassware without putting it away! I had to buy more glassware so they would not fight!
what seems to be getting lost, and on MSNBC I'm not surprised, that original "government panel" study said that women should also stop doing self-exams...what is the danger in that, If It's too much trouble to raise your arm and rub your breast, I volunteer (free of charge)...not to be considered for those "unnecessary" prostate exams
There are about a dozen new studies out in the last few months stating that many preventative/catch it early programs are unnecessary, there is a larger debate here...and it seems to be the less we catch, the less we spend on treatment
Women smash their breasts flat and radiate them over and over again and then wonder why they get breast cancer.
This is a subject we will be dealing with for years to come.
There is no technical solution that will reduce life’s risks to zero but there are forces willing to spend ungodly amounts of money trying to do so. They are misguided. We really do have to develop a rational approach to healthcare because it’s certain we can not afford to provide everyone with everything.
That’s not callus, its practical if we agree financial resources are not unlimited. Whether it’s mammograms, prostate screening or replacement hips for 90 year old patients, we are going to have to find a way to husband our resources and maximize the benefits for society.
The solution won’t be unlimited spending.
You have the same idea as the President. I believe he will reduce healthcare costs but it will be done at the expense of life expectancy and quality of life but hey it is for the greater good!
Except that it's not at the expense of life expectancy or quality of life. That is the point of the debate. These cost/benefit analyses are necessary to determine the best allocation of health resources. Pharmaceutical and insurance companies use this type of information all the time in making decisions. Government needs to do the same thing.
Screening or testing is indicated when there are more people who will benefit from the testing than will be harmed. Otherwise, the investment of resources is not warranted.
This issue is relevant in many other areas as well, it is certainly not limited to mammograms. Physicians often overtest, overtreat and overprescribe due to fear of litigation, patient pressure and sometimes profit. Many times the tests/treatments have little effect on overall rates of morbidity and mortality and often lower the quality of life for those undergoing the treatments.
We need a rational discussion in this country about the appropriate use of medical resources, something that has been sorely lacking lately.
I though routine breast examinations were to find cancer earlier, so it could be treated more quickly and while in a smaller state. I understand the part about coming up with more effective and conclusive exam processes, but would avoiding exams ever be a good idea?
This does seem to have a tinge of reducing the cost of preventitive medicine. While I am a man and will not likely be affected dirtectly by it, I am concerned for my wife and daughters.
I was 36 the first time I had a mamogram and sure enough yes that lump was cancer. I went through all the treatment, went bald and had almost 10 years of remission. Then in 2007 Wham and holy hell what is this a lump that I could see thru my skin. This time the mamogram showed nothing at all. Needless to say I got another opinion and a biopsy. And what do you know cancer again. There I went again this time over two years of treatment.
So in my opinion yes mamograms are very important and not just after the age of 40 0r 50. But them again they are not fool proof. So get your mamogram and do your monthly self exams.
Read today's article about Martina. Enough said.
If this were about the penis then there would be no discussion.
What about the women who had breast cancer discovered on their first mammogram or who got a mammogram because they felt a lump? What's their relationship between mammograms and cancer?
We all just love getting our breasts painfully flattened to the size of a pancake and zapped 4 times with radiation. I often wonder if some breast cancers are caused by this. And yes there is an alternative to mammogram, its called thermography and is supposed to be more sensative. I plan on asking for this option when I go to the doctor later this month, even if I have to pay for it out of pocket, as I have insurance.
What information do you have about thermography?
You need to google it, like I did. And it is done in my area.
So it begins....Obamacare 101 - no screening!!!! Hope you all like the Hope'n Change" this delusional, corrupt, hubris fool has brought to America. He needs to go home the Kenya!!!
Just another "cost saving" measure in Obama-Care. This communist is an incompetent joke as are all his regime followers ... he needs to return to whatever country he's from. ALL women need to be screened at 40; younger if there is a history ... period. Don't let the terrorist from hell (Obama) tell you any different.
1994 wife (AGE 43) had hardening within breast - mammogram says no problem return in 2 years
1995 (AGE 44) pain in breast - breast cancer detected - too late
2 years of extreme slash burn and poison - death nov 19,1997 (AGE46)
@!$%# the practicing physician - i would like to find a doctor who is not practicing but knows what he is doing
thank goodness for mammograms my cancer was discovered through a rountine mammogram, caught very early, 8mm a wonderful and careing team at Nottingham.
I am kind of on the fence on this. BC is striking younger and younger women, it is no longer an older woman's disease. I know that early detection thru mammograms can save lives. However, I often visit a cancer discussion forum (I have a good friend who was diag. a couple of years ago) and it's full of women who faithfully had mammograms every year, no problems reported and then discovered their own BC thru physical exam. My gyn. told me the most important thing is to examine your own breast . Not just by touch but look at them in a mirror . Look for any changes in appearance. Mammograms miss a lot (esp in younger women with denser breasts and early stage disease), have false positives quite often and can just as easily be mis-read by the radiologist.