A very good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She religiously had mammograms every year and it was caught in the very earliest stage. She went to the breast surgeon "everyone" went to....and was told that a mastectomy was her only remedy. Early stage....mastectomy...hmmmm. She decided to get a second opinion. Her little voice spoke loudly...the once drastic mastectomy that was recommended by the first surgeon....was not the recommendation of two other surgeons...they both recommended a much less invasive lumpectomy...less drastic, faster recovery....greater breast conservation...more peace of mind and less discomfort for my friend. Every woman, every year should have a mammagram...early detection is vital to a cure.
Upon further research...and documented by several physicians....the midwest has an abnormally high number of mastectomies performed when compared to the rest of the country. If you know anyone with a breast cancer diagnosis...encourage them to get a second opinion. While conservation may not be possible for every woman, each woman owes it themselves to learn all they can about their condition....and the possible cures available.
I love the picture, it's great! Yes, early detection and a second opinion is the way to go. The treatment for cancer sure has come along way over the last 15 years or more. THank goodness! I've reblogged this for the future.
Thanks,
Patricia/Seacoast NH
I will not only pass this along - I will reblog it. This is great information and, I, too, loved your picture. This is a cancer that will be cured in my lifetime. I just know it.
Thank you for passing along this very important message Sally. I agree a second opinion for something so serious is necessary.
Thank you Ladies...I know this to be true in the midwest...over use of mastectomy....it may be in other parts of the country as well...education is vital to helping cure this disease...I thank you for your re-blogs...every blog helps !
Very interesting information and wonderful advice. And your pictureis just about the cutest thing I have ever seen! ;-)
Great advice Sally and David...I did not know the midwest outpaced other areas of the country in mastectomy proceedures.
Having not done a national study....for all I know each state or region has an "average"...pass the word...to your readers...your sphere...your friends and neighbors...we had 5 people in our sphere diagnosed last year.
Sally and David: What a wonderful friend you are to make this plea and take this stance. You serve your friendship well by making this public and broadcasting this advice. The baby and the t-shirt she wears states it loud and clear. A fantastic article ...
Gene
Sally & David - I will certainly share this with everyone I know. One of my dearest friends was diagnosed last year and had a double Mastectomy. Every woman deserves to know all her options when concerning her life. Thanks for sharing this information and reminding all of us how important it is to schedule those annual checkups.
Sally and David ---- I have a very different opinion on this post --- unless you are a very young woman, why would you want to take the chance of the cancer returning -- the boobs are not worth that to me. I had a double mastectomy 3 years ago -- I have a friend diagnosed at the same time who chose not to do so. Today, I am cancer free and she is on death bed -- the cancer has come back and is in her bones.
I think there are a lot of professionals in certain industries who recommend something simply because it costs more without putting the best interests of their Clients first. It's unfortunate, but that's the capitalistic society that we have created, making those second, third, and even fourth opinions so valuable.
True story Russel.....2nd, 3rd, 4th...whatever it takes !