Yesterday, as I was driving home from work, I was pondering breast cancer. A co-worker of mine was very recently diagnosed, had surgery, and is looking great.
Thinking on this I wondered if breast cancer is on the rise, or is it simply more researched, recognized and diagnosed? I would believe it was probably around in full force before technology made is so identifiable and curable - but that it wasn't so terribly fatal as all that. And if that is true, perhaps all the surgery, radiation and chemo aren't entirely necessary.
Now - disclaimer - I know this research saves lives, I know it is beneficial, and to those women who were saved they probably are not concerned with whether or not there is over-diagnosis, because their life (and all survivors) is worth that.
But what percentage would actually have had fatal results if not treated? How many would have lived a healthy happy life if they never knew about it?
Interestingly enough, this afternoon on my lunch break, peeking out just near the fold of the newspaper, is an article titled "Study: Some early diagnoses not a help" - in reference to breast cancer. What are the odds?
I read through this article, and low-and-behold they were discussing this very issue I had been pondering. And lean towards that many cases are over-diagnosed/treated, that would have been unnecassary.
Curious....I will continue pondering.
Thinking on this I wondered if breast cancer is on the rise, or is it simply more researched, recognized and diagnosed? I would believe it was probably around in full force before technology made is so identifiable and curable - but that it wasn't so terribly fatal as all that. And if that is true, perhaps all the surgery, radiation and chemo aren't entirely necessary.
Now - disclaimer - I know this research saves lives, I know it is beneficial, and to those women who were saved they probably are not concerned with whether or not there is over-diagnosis, because their life (and all survivors) is worth that.
But what percentage would actually have had fatal results if not treated? How many would have lived a healthy happy life if they never knew about it?
Interestingly enough, this afternoon on my lunch break, peeking out just near the fold of the newspaper, is an article titled "Study: Some early diagnoses not a help" - in reference to breast cancer. What are the odds?
I read through this article, and low-and-behold they were discussing this very issue I had been pondering. And lean towards that many cases are over-diagnosed/treated, that would have been unnecassary.
Curious....I will continue pondering.
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