Clarification sought on breast cancer prevention
By JOAN JOSEPHSON, OBSERVER Staff WriterU.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling on the federal government to clarify new recommendations for women on how to prevent breast cancer.
New guidelines released this past week by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force suggested that only women over 50 need to ger routine mammograms as part of breast cancer screening.
"Many doctors and experts objected to these recommendations, sending conflicting messages to women about how they can prevent breast cancer," the senator said.
In addition to getting a mammogram each year herself, the senator encourages other women her age to do so.
"I understand there are many independent scientists involved in making this decision, but there are also many respected medical experts who are disagreeing with the recommendations. I want to seek answers so that women are getting a uniform message about how to protect themselves," she said.
In a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius, the senator said, she is sure the secretary is aware of the mass confusion the recommendation has created among women who have been told, like herself, to have a mammogram every year after the reach the age of 40.
"As a 42-year-old woman and a senator, I volunteer my time to speak in Public Service Announcements to remind women my age that they need to get screened," she said.
She went on to say advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society disagree with the recommendations that have created confusion and she asks Secretary Sebelius to work with the advocacy groups to come up with a clear message.
"I would encourage you to convene a meeting of interested parties so that this confusing message can be resolved and so that women can receive the best medical care that science can provide."
A Chautauqua County resident, who asked not to be identified, has had experience with breast cancer.
"I was 53 when a mammogram determined I had a mass in my one breast. It wasn't something that could be felt through self-examination. Were it not for the mammogram, it may not have been found until it was too late," she said.
She had the mass removed and was placed on a drug to cover any recurrence. It didn't work and five years later, another mass was found in the same breast. This time, she had a complete mastectomy done.
"There is no history of breast cancer in my family and I'm glad the mammograms discovered mine," she said.
She believes anyone who feels the need to have a mammogram done should follow their instincts.
She's glad she did.
