From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
sequel to mamogram article
NEEDS WORK
I received a note from a reader today - scribbled on a piece of paper and unsigned , which is a shame because I would have liked to have responded personally. However, no address or name so I hope that you read this article whoever wrote the note!
It would appear that the person who wrote the note - a woman she indicated - said that the photograph and comment about a young medical student would have put women off having a mammogram.
The purpose of newspapers is to educate people so they can make informed dicisions in their lives - in this column in particular so they can have more choice and control over their own health and wellness.
their own health and wellness, in a world where medical issues are fraught with ignorance and fear.
Anyway that's my purpose in writing these articles - to help others understand what may be happening to their bodies and minds and to offer ideas to boost quality of life and living. The purpose behind that article was to ensure you talked to your doctor and had enough confidence to question him or her well enough so you understood the implications of your condition, diagnosis and/or treatment.
Not to put people off having a mammogram. If the picture of a woman having a mammogram puts you off then perhaps it would be wise to review the wisdom of yoru choice. Isn't it better to know what is going to happen to you when you undergo tests? Rather than be terrified or concerned about what is going ot happen to you.
Fear pf the unknown has killed lots of people! They are too scared to go and find out what the lump they have is; or they don't know what the docotr would do to test why they feel a certain way; so they trudge through their now potentially limited life without making a simple enquiry that could either resove the issue medically or take away the fear and distress of womdering what is going on.
Women should have mammograms. But they should be discerning about where they have these performed. Check the track record of the place you choose for accuracy ; is it a teaching hospital? These are sometimes more up to date with modern techniques.
I didn't mind the inconveniences of having to wait a while or being seen by a medical student ( who is going to be a doctor in a minute anyway) or being ina grotty lookig environment if I am confident that the mammogram will be done well and read accurately. What I did object to was the manner in which the senior doctor spoke to me. And that was the purpose of my article!
Any readers out there who visit a doctor, dentist, or any other health professional (not to mention lawyers, accountants or any other professional type person) so not be intimidated. It's your body and brain and you are entitled to understand what is supposed to be happening to you and why. And if you can't get a satisfactory and comprehensive answer then seek a second opinion.
If you had a plumbing problem in your house, you wouldn't let the first plumber that came in and quoted on fixing the problem have the job unless they convinced you they knew what they were talking about and that they could fix it properly. Why is it that so many people do not treat their bodys and minds with the same respect? Make sure you find someone who can communicate with you ina way that helps you really understand what is going on.to have responded personally, hdear '' ,response to youras that are easy to do , really make a difference andthe living. The purpose behind the on mammograms a) we understnd thre importance of having them regularly performed at a place where they are reliabel and accurate and b) to ensure we talk to sd haveugh toood the implications of sseorthwhile ing the wisdom of yourdecisionus when we undergo tests, tothe unknown, about actually going to happen to us when we undergo a procedure like this? Fear o they don't know what the doctorlway the fear and distress of won - or to just settle our minds that what we have been lying awake, frightened, and worrying about, at nights about is in fact nothing unusual! Check the experience and expertise of the doctor reading your mammogram. Take some responsibility for your own wellness. We are not just helpless pawns in a system designed to keep us from ev er knowing the whole truth!enience old, nTo help readers be aware of the need to ask questions to understand what is happening to them.son) - d lly understand the situation you are in.
At the moment one of the most effective ways to check the state of our breasts is to have mammogram. Breast cancer kills a large number of women and can even be found in men. If the choice is between dying of breast cancer or having ot undergo a little discomfort and perhaps embarrasment while we have our breasts examined by doctors who are experts in the area - I know which choice I would make.
And I hope all intelligent women out there would make the same choice - because it is your choice and your responsibility - I certainly hope not!/body/ mental/emotionaland th- once every two years - a place where the tests are reliablethem Or to be shocked when it actually happens to you?tem designed to keep us from evI doto-
