Editor's note: This story is written in first person perspective from KTVB anchor Dee Sarton.
These past two weeks, a new set of recommendations on breast cancer detection has triggered a large amount of debate.
The recommendations say women ages 40-49 should not get routine mammograms, should not engage in self-exams, and women ages 50-74 should be screened, but only every 2 years.
Those recommendations are widely challenged by the American Cancer Society and breast cancer advocacy groups.
The report has been confusing for many women and downright frustrating for survivors.
It is because of that I have decided to share with you something personal...something my family and close friends already know:
Over the summer my doctors told me that I had breast cancer.
In my own case, early detection meant being spared from radical treatments with severe side effects.
So when I saw the new recommendations, it got my attention - especially since I've been so adamant with the women in my life about getting their regular checkups.
As a result, I went to my own doctors and asked them to advise me about what to say to my friends, my family and all of you.
"I really am very much concerned about these guidelines." Dr. James R. Maxwell said. "I really think that this is a setback for women's health."
"This was a very careful study, this was a group of very good people who studied the issue for a number of years to come up with these recommendations,” Dr. Ronald V. Dorn said.
Two doctors, my radiologist, and my oncologist - with differing perspectives on the new government recommendations.
"I think that first off they are underestimating the benefit of screening mammography,” Maxwell said.
Mammography is at the heart of Maxwell's practice in Boise. He studies x-rays everyday and he's the first person you hear from when there's a problem. The life-saving potential of routine screening cannot be ignored, according to this doctor.
"Whereas they stated a 15 percent reduction in mortality - I think there is solid evidence that shows it is at least a 30 percent reduction in mortality,” Maxwell said. "There are more recent studies that showed significant reductions in mortality particularly in the 40 to 49 age group with up to a 40 percent reduction in mortality with modern techniques."
As an oncologist, Dorn see patients with cancer everyday and knows all too well that early detection is essential, however he believes the intent of the government report isn't to stop screening but rather to start conversations between doctors and patients.
"The task force wasn't saying and I certainly am not saying you should not screen women between the age of 40 to 50," Dorn said. "If you are going to do screening between 40 and 50 and again they didn't say don't, if you are going to you should have that discussion with your doctor about what the benefit is, what the risk is."
But Dorn and Maxwell agree, that the risk is extremely low. and Maxwell thinks busy women will skip the doctor appointment and the mammogram altogether and Idaho's already low rate of breast cancer screening will sink even further.
"I think that it sends a message out to women that is very confusing," Maxwell said. "I think particularly in the under 50 age group with the recommendation for no screening as a general rule - I think is a mistake."
Dorn feels there's another mistake in the report - the suggestion that women stop breast self-exams.
"To just completely say ‘don't do it,’ that doesn't make any sense to me because it is so easy, so automatic."
Both doctors think women over 50 should stick with not only self exams but annual mammograms.
"Our goal is to identify breast cancer at earliest stage that we possibly can,” Maxwell said.
Since my experience this summer, I've been on a soap box telling all of my friends over 40 to get mammograms. I asked Dorn if I should get off that soap box.
"I would say absolutely stay on your soap box raise your soap box up a little higher if you are talking to friends who are older than 50,” Dorn said. "When you are talking to your friends from that soap box say what you really need to do is get in and talk to your doctor so you understand what the benefit is and what the risk is."
I think this is just another example of the importance of taking your own health seriously - and don't I know it. Recommendations are just that and they always come with the caveat - consider your own family history, your gut, and your doctor's input.
Right now, I’m doing great. They caught it early, got it all out and I didn't have to undergo chemo or radiation and I believe I have a lot to be thankful for because of early detection. So don't be surprised to find me on that soap box urging you all to take care of yourselves and never disregard the value of prevention.
There is a lot of information out there - and several competing recommendations. Find some of that by looking in the “Related” box at the top of this story.
