[workerbee]

There is no explanation for telling women not to bother with self-exams. Could it be that part of rationing care means delaying treatment as well?

To think these study results were not influenced by the bottom line mentality defies belief, IMO.

[libbytarian]

I have been doing self exams since 1980 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I did my monthly self exam in Dec. 2004 and found an area that seemed to be thicker than the surrounding area. I had a mammogram in Feb 2005 and it was clear. I called my OBGYN and told her that I wanted more tests. She was reluctant but agreed since I had a rather strong family history of breast cancer. I lost my mother, an aunt and two first cousins to breast cancer.

I had a breast biopsy in March 2005 which indicated that I had invasive lobular cancer. The cancer was the size of an egg. My radiologist told me that lobular breast cancer is 15% of the breast cancers and does not show up on a mammogram. He also said that looking for cancer with a mammogram on women with dense and or large breasts is like looking for a snowman in a blizzard.

I cannot imagine why anyone would say breast self exams are not necessary. I am not sure that I would still be here if I had not made a habit of examining my breasts. Libby