Mammograms and Breast Self-Exams: The People's Opinion

If a group of people get together as a team for a worthy cause, it can have a tremendous impact on society. If just one person speaks their mind, it rarely has an impact on society, unless of course, you're the president. And, speaking of the president, while he was running for office, he spoke often regarding making healthcare a priority for improvement. Many listened, many agreed with his ideas, many did not. Today, he has made his improvement plan regarding healthcare clearer, coming forward with ideas, seemingly cemented in his mind, as to how to make the nation's healthcare system better. Many have listened, many are following with great anticipation, many are bucking the system.If the recommendation to stop mammograms and play down or eliminate the need for breast self-exams were the only issues on the board in reference to improve our nation's healthcare, they are certainly enough to rouse a revival over the issue in its entirety.My opinion on the whole affair? I believe, after reading much of the bill itself, that we're in for some hard times. And we thought things were already things were already tough. After taking a short survey, the responses were not surprising, depending on which circles you tend to live within. The question asked was, "Do you agree or disagree with the recommendations to no breast self-exam and waiting ten years later on mammograms?" Here are some of the responses:

- 'I think it will take out many women because they are too far gone to treat. . . less people in the system.'

- '...anything that may possibly shed light onto cancer, inside a person early enough to save their life is worth doing. It shouldn't matter whether self-exams are done right or not, the government should listen to the doctors and the survivors, and those left behind. The government should not even consider telling women to stop doing self-exams.'

- 'I would like to see the stats on how many people are diagnosed with breast cancer UNDER 50 by the results of their mammograms? I would venture to say that stat is pretty high . . . high enough that I know too many people personally who were diagnosed by having a mammogram, under 50, and some weren't even done having children yet. They can't take that exam away from us!

- What business is it of the governments to tell women not to get them? This is one of the reasons I do not support government health care. If this is what the future will look like, we might want to look at it now. Mammograms save lives and even if they are not conclusive, ultrasounds follow up and help. I'd rather have a biopsy tell me it was nothing than have cancer kill me before the government recommended I get a mammogram.

- I lost my dear grandmother to breast cancer. If the government can tell us we don't need them, what's to keep the insurance companies from deciding they don't need to pay for them?

- I was diagnosed at age 41. My sister was diagnosed at age 41. I loudly disagree with these new findings...it is political.

- If a mamogram saves the life of even on woman under the age of 50-it is warranted.

- My doc has been prescribing mammograms since I was 35. Have found a lump once; thankfully, it was benign. ...people must be proactive in health issues.

- I so [dis]agree. I have been having mammograms since I was 35 too and I also have found two lumps with self-exam and thank God they were benign...I've lost two aunts from breast cancer and out of my mom's four sisters all but one has had breast cancer including my mom.

- As a breast cancer survivor, with my first mass discovered at age 15, self-exam is the way to go. For those of you with daughters and family history, it is not too early to self-exam in your teens...my opinion...still alive to talk about it.

- I hate to sound like there is a Machiavellian situation going on, but it seems to me that the present administration and health care systems are bent on getting rid of as many people as possible. Maybe I'm reading more into things, but lately it really seems like a probable scenario.

- I am 1 million percent AGAINST the new so called guidelines. I think the panel who decided that needs their heads examined...

- I totally disagree... but the government's new guidelines are not about people but about money... less to give out for the health care they are pushing.

- Right now, I totally disagree with all recommendations. They just want some poor person to have a disease so they can get more money - just as I have gone through. I just got a positive diagnosis after two years and many doctors.

- I only agree by default because of [having] Parkinson's [disease], I never got around to having it done.

- Disagree.

- I disagree w/ the new recommendations!

- ...it's all about Obama's healthcare - it's crazy!

- Disagree. One friend died of breast cancer at 38. Another died *AT* 50 - after double rad masectomy and recon surgery. The 38-yr old had no screening. The 50-yr old had a mammogram at 40 and because of it she lived another 10 years. Seriously - the choice is every woman's and my choice is to be pro-active with my health. I'll take the "unnecessary risk" of a false positive.

- These health guidelines are not part of the bill. Women should get these exams when they see the need!

- I totally disagree with these new guidelines. It's hard enough as it is to get insurance companies to pay for health screenings. Now if they feel you are going against the latest guidelines it will be impossible. And it's a sign of what life will be like under government run health care!

- It's not just about waiting 10 extra years for a mammogram which is a horrible idea! This bill stinks!

- I don't know about any of you but I don't want my tax dollars going to fund abortions of any kind. Not to mention people with [chronic diseases] will be last on the list when it comes to getting any kind of treatment. Our government wants to spend money on preventive care - not on people [who are already fighting diseases]!

I am sure there are millions out there who are ready and willing to debate every comment above, but the fact is, there is much speculation going on as to axing the current recommendations to self-exam and whether to move the age to begin mammography to 50 instead of the current age of 40.

By the comments above, it seems there is an overwhelming rejection of the bill in question. After reviewing Dr. Ben Kazie's article regarding this topic, it becomes even more horrific. If you are to bring these views into play with what is happening to healthcare regarding the seniors of our nation, it is quite literally, unbelievable what the government is proposing.

It seems to me that, not only are we valuing life, but we are actually promoting death. It used to be that we honored those who were older, due to the wisdom and insight they had to offer from their years of living. Nowadays we tend to view our elders as inconveniences that are burdensome, useless, and financially draining to out 'system'. Shame on us.

I wonder... Those who are sitting on the benches and cushy chairs, heading up this bill and wanting to get it pushed through - when your wife or mother discovers a lump (whether through intentional self-exam or not), if she's under 50, do you tell her to just hold tight until she's fifty and then get a mammogram? After all, it isn't really 'essential' now, is it? At least, that's what they seem to be saying.

I leave you with a post on Facebook:

Robin R. discovers cancerous breast lump in her 30s, self-exam. Deanna F. discovers cancerous breast lump in her 30s, self-exam. ...MIL discovers cancerous breast lump in her 40s, dead by 50. Does anyone think these new government guidelines (no self-exams, no mammogram until 50) might pave the way for future health care shortages? Self-exams cost nothing, but save lives . . . unless you wait too long.

Thank you to the following for participating: Lori S., Mary K., Kristin K., Deb L., Pat V., Lisa F., Dana B., Scott M., Elliott F., Janelle G., Harriet M., Chris M.