Recently, the Task Force on Breast Cancer Screening recommended women in their 40's and above do not need early detection mammography.
I have spent 5 years of my life working with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure in my local area who are strong advocates of early detection mammography. Some of the information they present is very indoctrinating. There may be some confabulation for everyone to support their ideas and they use strong personal stories, that are real, as their support. I understand all of that. What is good about Komen is that they use social determinants to reach out to all women who suffer from breast cancer. I am honored to work for them.
I think other groups, like American Cancer Society practice the same tactic.
The question that remains for SOME people who have NOT experienced it or keep a mind separated from the discussion--masquerading as "objectivity"--say after all the billions have been spent over the years, how come we are no closer to a cure?
Unfortunately, the same holds true for HIV/AIDS--but that is a separate discussion.
It is of the professional opinion as the owner of The Ari | af | ya Universe to let cooler heads prevail and keep the objectivity, yet simplification is not the only analytical tool to deconstruct a complex illness, such as Breast Cancer.
I suspect that the Task Force recommendations to the Department of Health were made from reviewing only the scientific data about biochemical, cell biology, molecular biology and some epidemiology. What they missed are the human factors, also called social determinants that go into the fulmination of this heinous disease.
Listed here are descriptions of Social Determinants.
A lot goes into play when disease strikes, especially chronic disease. I suspect this Task Force missed it based on some of their recommendations. They were not attune to the health disparities--in this case, women. Then for some statements about "women worrying about potential results from early detection"
My anecdotal story is I was a nervous wreck before I took my first mammogram! I knew what they were doing, but I did not actually know ALL that was involved until I did it. Fortunately, my mammogram was clear and I had a sigh of relief.
I am watching CNN now who is explaining what they did and they did a cost benefit analysis. They only looked at that ONE social determinant. Lucy Marion from Medical College of Georgia, when they did a meta-study and computer modeling. There were no oncologists sitting on the task force, guided "evidence-based practices".
While it may be true, does not mean they can deconstruct complex disease processes.
And herein is the reason why I left Academia.
