To the editor:
Over the years, I have watched in horror as two close friends, one 50, the other 30, succumbed to breast cancer that had spread, causing uncountable suffering.
Now, with all the discussion about new guidelines for women over 50 relating to the frequency of mammograms, there are more questions than answers. So, here is my take.
I am now 80, healthy, with no family history of breast cancer. I had my last exam a few months ago, and so far, all results have been negative. Each year, I wondered about the effects of radiation, even from the newer mammography machines, which is not insignificant for older women.
During one’s lifetime, one is sure to be exposed to multiple X-rays, chest, dental, bones, etc. During a recent one-month hospitalization at KU Med for pneumonia, I received daily X-rays of my chest. At KU Med, and later at LMH, I also underwent two CAT scans of my lung, which are known to have the highest level of radiation. So, one might say that I am a walking X-ray machine, and I AM concerned.
However, I will have no more mammograms. What’s the point, at my age? I would agree to have yearly exams and have a mammogram to check out a suspicious reading, and if necessary, I might have a lumpectomy, but no chemo or radiation.
I have a living will, which everyone, regardless of age and gender, should have. When the good Lord tells me I’m ready, I will be.
I realize that only you can make such a decision. As for me, my mind is made up.
Comments
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kansasfaithful (anonymous) says…
I am very familiar with modern radiology. The exposure to radiation should be of concern. But life is about risk Vs benefit. In nearly 25 years of providing safe care in radiology I have never met a patient who developed cancer from medical imaging. I have however met hundreds of men, women and children whose lives were saved or changed for the better because of our imaging technology. The best part of all is they all were able to make their decisions to seek treatment and refuse treatment without any interference from the fools in congress who we are now suppose to trust to rewrite the entire healthcare process. I am so happy you are cancer free and you are no longer going to get your mammogram. I completely support your decision after 80 years. I just hope you will continue to fight for everyone elses right to freely make the same choice or after 80 years of freedom are you on the side that will deny those freedoms to those Americans who are in line behind you?
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
early detection is the reason people survive breast and other cancers. in the u.s. our cancer survival rates surpass those in several countries, especially those with nationalized health care.
Mr. Obama wants to give the force of law to such government panels as the one that arogantly said far fewer mamograms should be performed.
self-exam and screening mamograms are the elements of early detection.
rtwngr (anonymous) says…
If you desire to cease mammography screening, Eva, that is your prerogative and I applaud your freedom to choose. Your statement begs the question; under current healthcare legislation before congress will senior citizens have the right to decide for themselves or will a panel decide, "What's the point", for someone your age?