Commentary on the breast cancer controversy
After the recent furore over the breast cancer guidelines, I’ve been ignoring the hype and hysteria in the news and quietly waiting for some thoughtful commentary from some breast cancer experts I respect.
This morning I got my wish with an email alert from the New England Journal of Medicine. In it, two well respected breast cancer physicians from rhe Dana Farber Cancer Insitute have summarised their views in an editorial. You can read the whole commentary for free here:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMp0911288?query=TOC
One point in particular struck me. The guidelines apply to those who are low risk, implying those women who are high risk (family history of breast or ovarian cancer, BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive etc), should still continue as before.
Their sensible and well thought out article is worth reading carefully and sharing with others.
A lot of people gave asked me what I’m going to do or would advise as one of those forty something women.
Well, I have a baseline and have been adjudged to be high risk so providing my insurance carrier is agreeable, I’ll be continuing with annual mammograms at NY Weill Cornell imaging center. This last point is important. My own experience of mammograms in suburbia was less than satisfactory and I would absolutely advocate going to get any tests at a cancer center where they have the latest technology and the best teschnicians, radiographers and pathologists. It does make a difference, possibly even between an accurate result and a false positive or negative.
Once you reach 40, politely insist on a baseline at your annual physical and get tested for BRCA1 and 2, after all that distinct aunt wasn’t aware in time and you don’t want to make the same mistake. These mutations drive aggressive breast and ovarian cancers. The most important thing is to get a baseline done, that gives you a comparion from which any changes can be detected early.
Check out the article and let me know what you think in the comments below.
3 Responses to “Commentary on the breast cancer controversy”
Apologies for the non active link and typos, but I posted it quickly from the iPhone Typepad app while travelling; the app gives you a very limited view of what you are typing. Will correct them later when I have full computer access.
Great post! Thanks for clarifying some of the guidelines. I read the article and agree – a balanced, educated approach is the only way to deal with your health.
IMHO the key point here is the chosen moment to release the new recommendations. It couldn’t be worse! This great tactical mistake gives new precious ammo to Republicans to fiercely oppose to the bill. Now I’m afraid that the only thing left for Dems is to pray and say the famous sentece written on the reverse of the one-dollar bill:’In God we trust’…
Comments are closed.