The Trouble With Mammograms
The exams lead to overdiagnosis, causing women to go through treatment for breast cancers that wouldn’t kill them.
Los Angeles Times, August 17, 2009
Los Angeles Times: The Trouble With Mammograms
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Journalist, author, editor.
Christie Aschwanden 
So what is a body to do? I had my first lumpectomy due to DCIS @ 2002. I am currently scheduled for my second lumpectoy due to the diagnosis of LCIS in late 2013. My surgeon’s reply to “What if I decide NOT to have surgery but to be followed closely?” was that he “would not kick me out of his practice.” In my gut, I feel there is no need to further mutilate my breast. He is a highly regarded surgeon whom I like, that said, I do believe that surgeon’s are predisposed to perform surgery. It is what they do. With all of this information regarding mammography in the headlines, I am more confused than ever. I do not have the resources to seek 2nd or 3rd opinions. I have no known family history of breast cancer.
Kathy,
your experience illustrates how difficult these decisions are in real life. I just wrote a piece about DCIS. Some experts are arguing that it’s time to remove the word “carcinoma” from the name. There are no easy answers in situations like yours. I wish you all the best.
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