Opinion: Self-exams can be valuable in detecting tumors

Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year, I have talked with many women who have an aversion to doing breast self-exams. My fear is that these women may have read the Oct. 2 headline and, if they failed to read the entire story, it may have helped wrongly convince them that they will be safe without those self-exams. I can't figure out what your motive for that misleading headline was.

I've found that many women rely solely on mammograms for cancer detection. What they have failed to realize is that approximately 10 percent of breast cancers do not show up on mammograms, and that regular self-exams are so important.

My own story is proof that mammograms do not detect all breast cancers. I found my tumor eight months after receiving a negative mammogram and clinical exam. A subsequent mammogram also failed to show the tumor. My cancer was aggressive, and I dread to think of what might have happened if I had not done a self-exam and found it. My annual exam was still four months away.

I urge all women to check themselves monthly. Ladies, you may be saving your own life. Don't worry whether you're "doing it right," because some checking is better than no checking. Don't fall for these published "studies" that seem to indicate otherwise.
-- Barb Weaver, Pinellas Park

Be skeptical of studies

Once again there is disheartening news regarding women's health. As a survivor of two breast cancer events and as one who found the tumors myself, I offer this:

1. Monthly self-examination and yearly mammography do not prevent breast cancer but are the best first lines of defense we have toward early detection and cure.

2. Consider the sources of recent studies. I suspect insurance companies welcome outcomes that discourage women seeking diagnostic screening and follow-up of any suspicious results.

3. Be your own advocate. Do your monthly self-exam and get a yearly clinical breast exam. Have mammograms as often as is best for your own health and peace of mind. Encourage your female relatives and friends to do the same . . . . Do it for yourself and everyone you love.
-- M.R. Wilson, Largo

Take the time to do it

Re: Study: Breast self-exams may not matter.

As a three-year breast cancer survivor, I firmly believe in breast self-examinations. Why? Because doing this very important self-test saved my life. I have been performing breast self-examinations for years, and when I found a lump at age 39 (a year before I would be "eligible" for a routine mammogram), I made it a point to visit my doctor to investigate further. It's a good thing I did. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, which means it was caught early. Because of early detection, I was able to choose less invasive breast conserving surgery.

This self-test along with clinical breast exams by a doctor and mammography all play a part in the early detection of breast cancer. By performing this exam on a monthly basis, a woman can really get to know her breasts and notify her doctor if she notices any changes. This is something we personally have control over, it's free, it's easy and it can save a life. Why wouldn't someone take the time to do it?
-- Cindi Crisci-Armstrong, St. Petersburg

A new alternative

Re: In U.S., abortion pill is off to a slow start, Sept. 25.

More than 100,000 women have chosen the abortion pill since its approval by the FDA two years ago. The pill represents a new alternative for women in the United States. As women around the country are taking advantage of a new option, the media are spending time reporting "a slow start." However, medical abortion can be a desirable alternative for women seeking to terminate a pregnancy while avoiding surgery. This option is available at more than 130 Planned Parenthood health centers around the country, including the center in downtown St. Petersburg.

When medical abortion is offered, eligible women choose it at varying rates around the country. This rate can depend on a number of factors, including the provider's comfort and experience with the method. Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers around the country are reporting that the percentage of women who choose medical abortion increases the longer the service has been offered.

This option provides advantages for some women who wish to avoid a surgical procedure or would prefer to go through the experience in their own homes with their own support networks. Many women report that they choose this method because they feel a greater sense of autonomy and privacy with the abortion pill. Regardless of the reasons that any particular woman would choose medical or surgical abortion, it is important that we let all women know accurate medical information about the options that they have.
-- Kati LeTourneau, project assistant, Consortium of Planned Parenthood Abortion Providers, St. Petersburg

Bill attacks women's rights

I was very disappointed to see that U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis sponsored the so-called "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act" that just passed the House (with U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young's support). The bill is a farce, for its true effect is to discriminate against women who seek abortions and to tie the hands of health care providers who want to give their patients full reproductive health care.

Drafted originally by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, this measure allows hospitals and clinics to get an exemption from any law that ensures women's access to reproductive health services by claiming discrimination. For example, a state's requirement that hospitals provide referrals for abortion services could trigger a loss of all federal funds, even funds for transportation and education. It also jeopardizes a patient's right to be informed of all her legal medical options.

This bill attacks women's fundamental civil and human rights.

Reps. Bilirakis and Young should be more discriminating on the measures they support and stop wasting Congress' time on yet another desperate attempt to prevent women from having access to their full reproductive rights.
-- Ann Baranco Lee, St. Petersburg

Technicians help fulfill kids' needs

Just prior to opening this school year in Pinellas, a 13-year school health program, originally established by the Legislature and funded through an HRS grant, was abruptly dismantled and positions were cut.

This program involves schools in Tarpon Springs and south St. Petersburg, staffed by Pinellas County Health Department professional nursing staff and health technicians. For years, this program has documented positive outcomes for children from kindergarten through 12th grade, emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices through education and early intervention. The schools' clinics were staffed by trained, nurturing health technicians, allowing the RN to educate in the classroom, conference rooms and homes.

Each day around 100 students come to school clinics for a variety of reasons, from simple injuries/illnesses and medication administration to chronic problems such as diabetes or asthma. Children are also comfortable coming to the school nurse to discuss concerns such as domestic violence occurring in the home, sexual abuse, nutrition and hygiene or other major problems affecting their lives and preventing them from doing their best in the educational environment. It is extremely difficult to educate a child who is experiencing such problems and concerns.

The problem with eliminating positions within this program is that technicians are no longer there to handle everyday issues needed to free the registered nurse to handle complicated, confidential children's needs. The registered nurse no longer can go into the classrooms to educate on issues affecting our children, as that would leave the clinic unstaffed.

These cuts were made on the premise of budgetary shortfalls within the county health departments, and were mandated at the state level due to a cost shift for Information Technology within the Department of Health. One can't help but wonder if computers are more important than children. It seems incomprehensible that this valuable program and others like it should be dismantled when they provide such a critical service to one of our most vulnerable populations -- children.

I believe that the dismantling of this program sends a message: The Pinellas County Health Department does not value school health, does not value those working in the field of school health and, most of all, does not value the health of our school-age children.

The Florida Nurses Association has written the governor about our concerns to seek his support in ensuring that we leave no child behind, but his response to our inquiry has been very limited. The FNA stands in full support of any effort that will build and strengthen a strong school health program within the state of Florida. Our children deserve no less.
-- Pat Quigley, president, Florida Nurses Association, St. Petersburg

Inaccessible information

Re: Constitutional amendments.

Shortly after Jim Smith assumed the position of secretary of state, I wrote asking him to issue a booklet to the voters of the state of Florida, similar to the information packet I had seen in California, defining the 11 amendments -- publishing also a pro and a con statement.

I suppose the legal notice in the Sept. 25 St. Petersburg Times (and I assume in other papers around the state) met the legal requirements to inform the public. This notice took two-thirds of a full page, and I will tell you that there was no way I could read it in one sitting. The print was too small, the layout was too crowded; this discourages people from even trying to read it. I wonder how it would have appeared if the state paid for a full two-page advertisement? It might then have been legible.

If this is what the ballot will look like, I feel now as if I will have been disenfranchised. I am asking that Smith send us all a readable copy of this information, or that the State Department re-advertise in print large enough to be read easily by the voting population, so we can enter the voting booth having had the time and ability to think about each of the amendments.

I am sure that I am not the only one of Florida's voters in this predicament.
-- Doris J. Bedell, Spring Hill

Live without closed captioning

Re: Success to the 9, by Eric Deggans, Sept. 30.

Eric Deggans' statements about Bay News 9 may be true, but one important thing it lacks is live closed captioning for news and events, such as the emergency news and weather reports, on-the-scene reports and traffic reports, like the airplane that crashed into the Tampa high-rise building.

My wife and I are both deaf, and watching Bay News 9 without closed captioning is simply awful; we do not understand what's being said nor do we know what's going on. Try stuffing both of your ears with cotton balls and see if you can understand what's being said on the important live news and events without closed captioning, and you'll see how we feel.

I have e-mailed Channel 9 and have not received a response.
-- Richard W. Rice, Tierra Verde

Share your opinions

We invite readers to write to us. Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

They can be sent by e-mail to letters@sptimes.com or by fax to 893-8675.

They should be brief and must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Please include a handwritten signature when possible.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be published.

Back to Opinion

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times
Opinion page