The Industry of Cancer
Johnnie Ham, MD, MBA
obstetrics gynecologic talks about mammography and breast cancer diagnosis.
“Breast cancer has become big
business, starting with the multi-billion dollar goliath, mammography. No other
medical screening has been as aggressively promoted. My passion is providing
integrative primary care as an MD for hundreds of patients. I also have over 23
combined years of military experience as an OB/GYN, trauma surgeon,
experimental test pilot, and master army aviator.
My training prepared me to navigate
through challenging, and sometimes life threatening situations. Unfortunately,
most women do not have the training I received, yet they could certainly use
some of it to help navigate through the fear based methods of the breast
cancer industry.
The tide of thought on mammography’s
benefits is rapidly changing as evidenced by recently published studies in the Archives
of Internal Medicine, the Lancet Review, the British Medical Journal and the Nordic Cochrane Center; and the fact that the US Preventative Services Task Force and the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care.
There is no reason why a woman
shouldn’t have the option choosing between a thermography, an ultrasound, an
MRI or even between a mammogram itself. My role as a doctor is
to diagnose and treat, but I am also an educator. I want my patients' focus to
be on prevention to improve their health and well-being. There is no evidence that mammography decreases
death rate caused by cancer.
Facts
and Persisting Concerns: Mammograms
More women are refusing mammograms.
This is reflected in the dramatic decline of 4.3 percent in 2010. Previously,
mammography use had increased annually by 1 percent between 2005 and 2009.
Mammograms:
1.
Are incorrect 80 percent of the time
(providing a false negative or false positive)
2.
Require repeated ionized radiation
that can cause cancer -in the new 3D
version it’s even worse!
3.
Use compression, which can
damage breast tissue or potentially spread cancer
4.
Are not effective for up to 50
percent of women (women with dense breasts or implants)
5.
Can lead to over-diagnosis and
over-treatment of non-invasive cancers
6.
Can lead to the disturbing practice
of “preventative” double mastectomies
Please understand that there are other screening options, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and you have a right to utilize those options. Also remember that in order to truly avoid breast cancer, you need to focus your attention on prevention.
A few simple, yet great options to assist in your efforts to avoid breast cancer are: making sure you are getting enough vitamin D, K2 and iodine; that you utilize lymphatic massage; use stress management techniques, exercise often, and balance your hormones naturally. It is also wise to eat a Mediterranean diet consisting of organic foods. Avoid processed and GMO foods; and toxic environments.
In my practice, I recommend breast thermography, even for young women to get a baseline, but also combine the imaging not only with a review of the findings, but more importantly, as a venue to educate women on breast health. It is far more effective to prevent breast cancer, than it is to wait until it is there and then treat it. We are all different so make sure you consult with your doctor and do your own research before utilizing any of these suggestions.
The advice I give all of my patients is to be your own health advocate, do your own research and always ask questions before agreeing to any therapy or treatment, screening and/or procedure.”
Please understand that there are other screening options, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and you have a right to utilize those options. Also remember that in order to truly avoid breast cancer, you need to focus your attention on prevention.
A few simple, yet great options to assist in your efforts to avoid breast cancer are: making sure you are getting enough vitamin D, K2 and iodine; that you utilize lymphatic massage; use stress management techniques, exercise often, and balance your hormones naturally. It is also wise to eat a Mediterranean diet consisting of organic foods. Avoid processed and GMO foods; and toxic environments.
In my practice, I recommend breast thermography, even for young women to get a baseline, but also combine the imaging not only with a review of the findings, but more importantly, as a venue to educate women on breast health. It is far more effective to prevent breast cancer, than it is to wait until it is there and then treat it. We are all different so make sure you consult with your doctor and do your own research before utilizing any of these suggestions.
The advice I give all of my patients is to be your own health advocate, do your own research and always ask questions before agreeing to any therapy or treatment, screening and/or procedure.”
