As an F1 doctor I have had the chance to undertake a rotation in
Breast Surgery. My interest in this field has already helped me decide
that I wish to pursue a career in Breast Oncology or palliative care.
However, on March 22nd my world was tipped upside down when my mother was
diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She had been picked up on Breast Screening
through Breast test Wales. She had not felt a lump and the lump was hard
to palpate. It was removed and a Sentinal lymph node was returned
positive. She then underwent a full axillary dissection which revealed 8
out of 14 positive nodes. Currently udnergoing chemotherapy she is a
shadow of her old self but she is alive and making a recovery. Without the
Breast Test Wales system she would still not know that she had cancer. Who
knows when it would have become apparent? When the metastases had reached
the liver and she turned yellow? When she had a fit and the mets had gone
to the Brain? When the troublesome cough wouldn't go away? Fortunately we
will not have to answer that question and thanks to mammography my mother
will hopefully be here for many years to come!
I recognise the limitations of mammography and screening in general
and yes, some women may never develop agressive Breast Cancer. But is it
worth taking that risk? As Welch points out in his editorial, twisting the
figures to suit a viewpoint could show that mammography reduces death by
a third and not that it overdects by a third. Every woman should be free
to choose, given accurate advice and information on the pitfalls and
downsides of screening but also on the real risks of taking the chance
that a lesion will not progress. Until we know what lesions fo regress
surely the mammogram will remain a lifesaver - it certainly has saved my
mum!
Rapid Response:
Mammography has saved my mum
As an F1 doctor I have had the chance to undertake a rotation in
Breast Surgery. My interest in this field has already helped me decide
that I wish to pursue a career in Breast Oncology or palliative care.
However, on March 22nd my world was tipped upside down when my mother was
diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She had been picked up on Breast Screening
through Breast test Wales. She had not felt a lump and the lump was hard
to palpate. It was removed and a Sentinal lymph node was returned
positive. She then underwent a full axillary dissection which revealed 8
out of 14 positive nodes. Currently udnergoing chemotherapy she is a
shadow of her old self but she is alive and making a recovery. Without the
Breast Test Wales system she would still not know that she had cancer. Who
knows when it would have become apparent? When the metastases had reached
the liver and she turned yellow? When she had a fit and the mets had gone
to the Brain? When the troublesome cough wouldn't go away? Fortunately we
will not have to answer that question and thanks to mammography my mother
will hopefully be here for many years to come!
I recognise the limitations of mammography and screening in general
and yes, some women may never develop agressive Breast Cancer. But is it
worth taking that risk? As Welch points out in his editorial, twisting the
figures to suit a viewpoint could show that mammography reduces death by
a third and not that it overdects by a third. Every woman should be free
to choose, given accurate advice and information on the pitfalls and
downsides of screening but also on the real risks of taking the chance
that a lesion will not progress. Until we know what lesions fo regress
surely the mammogram will remain a lifesaver - it certainly has saved my
mum!
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests