Thanks to Amy, guest blogger and 2010 Cowgirls vs. Cancer scholarship recipient. She will blog here monthly on her journey through breast cancer treatment.
I have been watching and reading about the new task force guidelines for several days now, with the recommendation that women wait until the age of 50 to begin their scheduled mammogram. As a new breast cancer survivor, I am angry.
At age 40, I scheduled my routine mammogram. I have no family history of cancer and have none of the risk factors. But I went in for the test because the guidelines were for the age of 40. They found an aggressive tumor in my left breast. Had I not followed that age 40 guideline, the tumor would have remained undetected until the cancer spread beyond my chest wall and I became symptomatic, quite likely rendering a less treatable diagnosis...possibly even a terminal one.
I have four young children, family and friends who love and need me. It is insulting to me that I am considered just an anecdote in the task force findings. Why would we compromise women's health even if the numbers at risk are lower? And, keep in mind that these new recommendations were based on only one study.
The task force argues that false positives create unnecessary anxiety. I personally will continue to encourage the women I love to get their mammogram at age 40...or even younger. I would much rather see them with a bit of anxiety vs. the possibility that cancer would go undetected.
Fortunately, many reputable physicians and clinics are standing behind the previous guidelines. Dr. Kent Osborne, the director of Baylor's Cancer Center and Breast Center states that, "screening women in their 40's is important because breast cancer that strikes when a women is that age tends to be more aggressive."
The American Cancer Society stands behind its recommendation that women begin the screening process at age 40. Mayo Clinic and many other reputable breast and cancer centers have chosen to ignore the new guidelines.
I went to chemo the other day and asked the oncology nurses their opinions. One of them stated her frustration with once again being reactive instead of proactive. These new guidelines give women "on the fence" about a mammogram new reason to pause; to ignore or put off the test because it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. And yet, the mammogram, although not perfect, is still our best tool in the fight against breast cancer as early detection is critical.
Continue to be proactive with your health, my friends.
Thankfully, I was.
Thanks Amy for your thoughts and insight. Your story inspired me to get my first mammogram last month, at age 38. I'm not going to deny the anxiety I felt, but as you said I'll take that in the name of early detection and being proactive about my health.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Amy. I'm trying to digest it all. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 1988. She found lumps while doing a self examination. It was too late. I have been getting annual mammograms since I was 32 years old and feel fortunate it was an option.
ReplyDeleteAs a close friend of Amy's, there was no way around scheduling that first mammo once I turned 40... My results- minor calcifications followed by extra screenings and a stereotactic biopsy- all came back benign and therefore probably make me a statistic for these new guidelines. Will I show up next year?? You can bet on it!! Go, Aim!!
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Amy's but just recently moved away from her home town because my husband’s received a new job. Just as Amy, I received my first mammogram at the age of 40 based off of the guidelines and my doctor’s normal routine request. I must say I was surprises to receive a large bill in the mail,to discover that my husband’s new insurance co. did not cover routine mammograms. I was very disturbed by this and worried that others that could not afford to pay such a bill would put off getting their routine mammogram done. Since then, after several complains and a year later, I am glad to announce, I just got a notice in the mail that his office has added preventive coverage to our current insurance plan. Either way with coverage or not I encourage every women age 40 and up to receive their yearly mammogram regularly. I am so glad Amy listened to her doctor and got her mammogram done. My friend Amy is fighting at this moment and I pray daily that she will win her battle of breast cancer and be able to enjoy her wonderful life with her family and friends without worry again soon.
ReplyDeleteAmy stay strong and keep fighting COW GIRL!
PS- I just ordered myself and my BFF in Colorado one of your great inspirational COW GIRL t-shirts. It’s going to be a great Christmas gift for the two of us. I will wear it proudly!
Yes Aim, I'm outraged too because it's a fact that women, mothers, and friends will die if insurance companies won't cover mammograms before age 50. Even if the tests run ~$150, many healthy women like you and me will choose to wait if they feel fine and detect no problems during self exams or at yearly check-ups. Breast cancer is so prevalent, I don't see how they could ever get this passed.
ReplyDeleteI read an article "Panel Urges Mammograms at 50, not 40" dated 11/16/2009.
ReplyDeleteI am a 39 year old woman who has known of at least 5 women diagnosed with breast cancer under age 50. My mother being the first and my very amazing friend Amy being the most recent.
I was infuriated while reading this article to see the term "benefits" or "small benefit" being used to back up the new recommendations. One quote reads "the benefits are almost unchanged" and another says "the benefit will be quite small". Try replacing the word "benefit" with the phrase " a women's chance of survival after diagnoses" and it reads a bit clearer.
I do not consider my mom being diagnosed early and surviving her cancer a "small benefit". I do not consider the fact that if Amy waited past this year to have her first mammogram her cancer probably would have spread making it far less treatable a "small benefit".
There was also mention of "statistical models" and statisticians. When you translate percentages into the actual number of women who have survived this disease due to early diagnosis by mammogram I think we would all agree that even 1 women's life would be worth it. I wonder what the actual number is??
Although it is made clear in the article that there is no political motivation behind the recommendation..I think otherwise. The fact that the article mentions billions of dollars being saved if the new guidelines are followed is a big red flag. Don't get me wrong, I am all about saving money and being a good consumer, just not at the expense of women's lives.
It will be very scary to me if insurance companies change their guidleines based on these current recommendations and change coverage.
I was adivsed to begin mammography 10 years prior to my mother's age at diagnosis. Being proactive about my health has lessened my anxiety and empowered me to take charge of my health.
You continue to be an inspiration to so many Amy. Thanks for bringing this topic to the discussion board.