Do you REALLY have a choice?

When is comes to medical care, I have to sometimes wonder...do you really have a choice?

I used to think I did. 

My mom passed away from breast cancer in December 2010. Because of this, the docs recommended that I start getting mammos every year a full 10 years before my mom's first diagnoses. My mom was only 44, so that put me starting mine at age 34. YIKES! But, I did. {Looking back, I wish I had never started them until the normal age recommendation of 40 or if I felt something.}

Sure enough, they found a few cysts or possible fibroadenomas. They are super tiny - we are talking less that 6mm and they cannot be felt. No biggie. These are common with age and my type of breast tissue. I had gone in 5 years before to get a fibroid cyst checked out that I could feel (which went away, by the way). The only major finding between that mammo and this one was one of the cysts/fibroadenomas contained a few microcalcifications (2 or 3, I think). Again, not a huge cause for alarm because microcalcifications are not cancer, but they can be an indication of a precancerous condition. Microcalcifications can develop with age and very few cases ever go on to becoming cancer. The radiologist recommended a biopsy. I did A LOT of research and decided to take the less aggressive approach and monitor those areas with a 6 month follow up (which was his alternate recommendation should I decide against a biopsy). 

I had already decided prior to going in for this next follow-up that I would get a lumpectomy if anything had changed. So, fast forward 6 months later. Another mammo and ultrasound...and guess what, no changes! Everything was stable. The radiologist even put in my report, "no definitive findings for malignancy are evident." 

He also noted the previous radiologist's recommendation for a stereotactic biopsy and recommended the same. He also said, if no biopsy is performed, then another follow-up 6 month mammo and ultrasound should be considered. So, I chose that option. 

Now, I feel like I need to state that I am not an idiot and do not flippantly make decisions. I do A LOT  of research from reputable sources in order to make informed decisions. I also take into consideration the type of cancer my mother had. To make a long story short, my mother had a rare, super aggressive type of cancer. It spread like wildfire anytime you messed with it. It was recommended to my mother NEVER to get biopsies ever again, but instead remove the entire mass or treat it in place. 

Now you see my hesitation with getting biopsies. I would rather get a lumpectomy than a biopsy which  could ultimately spread the cancer. I know this occurrence is extremely rare, but it happened to my mom...and if I ever develop cancer, I could very well have the same rare aggressive cancer she had and that is a chance I am NOT willing to take!

So, why all the fuss?

The radiologist stated I could opt for another 6 month follow up mammo and ultrasound and I called my gynecologist to relay this message and make the appt..

Well....

About 4 weeks later, I receive a certified letter in the mail. Apparently, my "case" was presented at a multidisciplinary conference. My mammos and everything about me was discussed. I don't know anything about all this and I'm sure these things are standard procedure and happen all the time, but I have to tell ya, I felt a bit violated...a discussion about me and I wasn't even there to give my thoughts and opinions on the matter?!? I tried to explain to the gynecologist at my last visit why I was choosing the biopsy-free less aggressive course of action. After all, it was my mother's cancer history that placed me here getting these mammos, yet, they didn't want to take into account her type of cancer. 

I thought she understood and, at that time, she fully backed my decision for taking the less-aggressive approach. So, what has changed? My recent mammo and ultrasound showed NO changes and the radiologist even stated that I could go this route if a biopsy was not chosen. So why all this continued discussion? Why these attempts to change my mind? I have to tell ya, I just don't get it.

I feel like I am being "told" I have a choice, but their actions speak otherwise.

Raising Awareness?!?

So, do these "I Love Boobies" bracelets and "Save the Ta-Tas" campaigns truly raise awareness for breast cancer?

Well, in case you were wondering, here are my opinions on the matter...

I find them completely and utterly distasteful. 

My mother battled breast cancer for 8 long and agonizing years before ultimately losing her life to this terrible disease. In the process, she was severely disfigured from multiple surgical procedures as well as from the cancer itself. 

To me, these kinds of slogans and campaigns make a laughing stock out of just how horrifying this disease can truly be. They place the focus on a part of the body, NOT on the life of the person...which is what truly matters. As I stated earlier, my mother was left severely deformed, so these types of campaigns made her feel even more insecure about her breast disfigurements and was made to feel "less of a woman" without breasts because so much emphasis was placed on the body part and not the person. 

They trivialize the seriousness of the issue and objectify body parts of women thus turning this disease into something sexual. 

As a mother, I want my son to learn to treat women with respect...hearing others refer to a woman's body parts so haphazardly does nothing to help in this area.

As a woman and the mother of a daughter, I find these terms degrading and they cause men to focus on the physical appearance of breasts rather than the actual underlying disease. 

Some people will say, 'But they raise awareness and any publicity is good publicity'.

Really?!? Last time I checked, people don't go around calling mens' breasts 'boobies' or 'ta-tas'. These bracelets and campaigns totally gloss over the fact that men can have this disease too. Sure, not close to the extent in which women are diagnosed, but the threat is there nonetheless. (see statistics here)

Who do you see wearing these bracelets?

...Men and teenagers...mostly boys, but I have seen a few girls as well.  Moms - do you really want your boys wearing these?

Do they truly care about breast cancer or just the fact they can blatantly get away with wearing something that says "I love Boobies" out in public? And, seeing that males (more so than females) wear them really makes me raise some eyebrows as to their reasons for wearing them.

I think I'll strike up conversations next time. Should make for some interesting ones.

What if these slogans, phrases, and campaigns were used in the context of other types of cancers, would they still be so widely accepted?

Here is just a small list of them. I'm sure you can use your imagination as to what the slogan might be. No, I am not intentionally trying to be crude, but seriously stop and think about it. I am aware there is already a bracelet or two on the market that "raises awareness" of some of these cancers. And yes, I find those disgraceful and distasteful too.  I personally know some great men who had testicular tumors and cancers removed and a few nearly lost their lives because of it. Don't even get me started on the 'other' slogans being pushed out there. And would you want your daughters wearing those bracelets!?!...I digress...

anal cancer

cervical cancer

Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Penile Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Vaginal Cancer

Sorry if this post offends you. With the close of breast cancer awareness month all my thought on the issue are finally spilling over. And yes, I am aware there are those people out there wearing these bracelets who have no clue of the message they are really sending or just how hurtful and harmful they can be to others. I just think there are more helpful, beneficial, and worthwhile ways of raising the awareness of breast cancer...

So...what do you think about these bracelets and slogans?