As a breast cancer survivor, I feel particularly qualified to assert my opinion on the latest U. S. Preventive Services Task Force's guidelines regarding mammograms. I'm uncertain at this point exactly whose best interests are served by this organization, but as one whose "starting annual mammograms at age 40" prevented "one additional death," I hope my story merits publication in your newspaper.
I am only 46 years old as I write this: 46 and diagnosed as cancer-free. I am college-educated and have carried health insurance my entire life. I am not obese - not even overweight - and never have been. I eat organic foods as often as possible and cook often for my family. I am in excellent health, and I always have been. There is no history of breast cancer in my family.
So, let's go back in time six years ago. Had the current thinking been in effect, I would have never received my baseline mammogram (a common prescription from any gynecologist when a woman turns age 40). Well, I received that mammogram at age 40, and it changed my life forever. I was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer which resulted in a mastectomy for me. My oncologist and surgeon both said had I even been six months later in my mammogram, it would truly have been a different story.
I have watched many of my friends struggle with this insidious disease, and some of them are not here to write this letter today. By the way, most of these friends I mention were in their 30s and 40s when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Enough said.
LAURA M. BARBER
Tampa
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