A BRIEF RUN THROUGH WITH ASHLEIGH
As most women know medicine goes far beyond the ears nose and throat generally from the age of 18 and on. The process involves signing up for a series of yearly appointments, and waiting through what may seem like the longest week for test results that are in most cases, perfectly normal.
But what about the false-positives, the results that raise your doctors eyebrows, and through your blurred vision and muffled hearing all you manage to make out from his receptionist’s phone call is, “…the doctor wants to make sure it’s nothing serious, we’ve scheduled you in for a series of tests –just to be thorough- don’t panic.” She requests you mark your calendar for next month, the following month and finally three-months-later. Well now, there goes the year. If everything checks out normal after all is said and done you may still end up being treated for a sudden heart attack.
God knows stress is a number one killer in this country and we are ultimately our own worst enemies. It’s easy to convince yourself -despite what your doctor has said- the results are going to be bad news and you are going to do nothing but believe otherwise until the final verdict is in. Am I right? Yes.
New mammogram advice delivered earlier this month from the United States Preventive Task Force has stated women without unusual cancer risk (genealogical background) should not screen for breast cancer until age 50.
Canadian Cancer Society’s Gillian Bromfield, Senior Manager Prevention, explained in a phone interview, that American Cancer guidelines are on par with Canadian, and USPTF rigorously analyzes data for medical prevention services, only releasing statements which are in the best interest for individuals.
In light of recent news of the US House of Representatives passing a healthcare bill to reform medical coverage it’s easy to consider the USPTF’s information all-too-much a coincidence. Publications have released articles followed up by reader’s comments, angry and pointing fingers at HMOs, concerned American citizens who have a hard time believing this is not all about money. For many it’s arguably hypocritical, after all it’s seems like a preventative measure.
However, Bromfield stated the legitimacy of the information coinciding with the recent news is an unfortunate debate. It is fact, screening has lead to more accurate results for women who are between the ages 50-60, opposed to many of the false positives which have occurred for women in their 40s.
Nevertheless it is not to say women should wait until they are 50 to start taking precaution.
“Every woman should talk to her doctor and decide what is best for her,” said Bromfield. “We do know women discover their own lumps.”
The Canadian Cancer society emphasizes at the end of the day the onus is ultimately based on an individual decision.
“Women need to know what’s good for them,” said Bromfield. “Women in their 40s should get mammograms every two years, and every year after their turn 50.”
The “Task Force” has danced around its recent statement. It’s been reiterated they are mainly trying to eliminate stress and anxiety that comes along with the aforementioned week-long waiting period, and or the false-positives which tend to trigger higher-amounts of unneeded worry.
Most doctors will tell you early detection saves lives. Currently no one is saying not to take preventative measure, if a woman wants to, she still has ever option to do so.
“The issue is really about the concern and that the debate of recommendation will form policy,” said Bromfield.
It is still hard to grasp, though, that this isn’t a probable excuse to line pockets. Change is happening- no doubt, but it seems to be at the cost of rationing the simple American. National health insurance is one thing, but how does this happen without middleclass tax-hikes or the deficit staying below $1 trillion? Something has to give, and well, it’s still hard to seem like it’s not going to be you.
For women who have long procrastinated using reasons such as fear of bad news this only provides them with another excuse. Ignorance is bliss for some, and the USPTF just helped it along. It is important to remember, and cannot be stressed enough, common sense is key, listen to yourself, consider your options and the information you have. When the time comes, do what is right for you.
_______________________________________________________
A Brief Run Through With Ashleigh is by Ashleigh Izdebski and is a guest blog here at On Deadline which will run regularly.

















On Deadline Readers say: