Breast Health
Perhaps the most controversial areas of women's health pertain to our breasts - especially breast cancer. There is certainly a high risk of breast cancer for women in the U.S. However much of the information about breast cancer and treatments is being generated by the drug companies that produce cancer causing chemicals used in our environment as well as cancer treatment drugs. As a result, the medical profession and the drug companies often ignore important factors such as the environment and the role of cancer causing drugs. Women's health activists must remain skeptical about their role in providing women with good health information about breast health. There are two good sources of independent information about breast health, breast cancer, breast implants, cancer prevention, and breast cancer screening:
National Women's Health Network
The National Women's Health Network is an independent "watch-dog" organization that offers analysis of drugs and drug research about the breast and many other women's health issues. They regularly give testimony to the FDA that has influenced how drugs effecting women get approved. This group is doing work that you can rely on. They have many fact sheets on breast cancer, prevention, breast implants etc. While you can get their information off their web site, consider joining this membership organization.
Breast Cancer Action
This is a dynamic, activist organization that does extensive work around all issues of breast cancer. The information on this site will open your eyes and give you concrete and helpful information about breast cancer and prevention. It also gives very helpful information to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Check out the FAQ's on this site if nothing else. While you obtain BCA's information from their web site, consider joining this valuable membership organization. Website for Breast Cancer Action: www.bcaction.org.
This is a dynamic, activist organization that does extensive work around all issues of breast cancer. The information on this site will open your eyes and give you concrete and helpful information about breast cancer and prevention. It also gives very helpful information to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Check out the FAQ's on this site if nothing else. While you obtain BCA's information from their web site, consider joining this valuable membership organization. Website for Breast Cancer Action: www.bcaction.org.
Breast Implants
In July 2005, the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) stated that silicone breast implants were approvable. In December 2006, the FDA approves silicone breast implants - after a 15 year ban - even though the there were no changes in the device were made. See the National Women's Health Network fact sheet for more information.
In July 2005, the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) stated that silicone breast implants were approvable. In December 2006, the FDA approves silicone breast implants - after a 15 year ban - even though the there were no changes in the device were made. See the National Women's Health Network fact sheet for more information.
Mammography
Another controversial area surrounding breast health is mammography, digital mammography, sonography, and other breast cancer screening tests. Mammography uses a type of radiation to detect breast lumps. Digital mammography compresses the image into digital form so that the results can be read on a computer. This technique has been approved by the FDA, but is controversial due to false positive results, which lead to unnecessary biopsies. Read the Breast Cancer Action fact sheet about these screening tests for more information.
Breast Cancer Action has also made a fact sheet available on their website called "Breast Cancer Action Recommendations and Policy Statement: Breast Cancer Screening and Early Detection." You can upload or read it on their website.
Also read Less Hormone Therapy, Less Breast Cancer from Women's Health Activist Newsletter, by Adriane Fugh-Berman, M.D., an excellent article about the decrease in breast cancer after women stopped taking menopausal hormones.
Another controversial area surrounding breast health is mammography, digital mammography, sonography, and other breast cancer screening tests. Mammography uses a type of radiation to detect breast lumps. Digital mammography compresses the image into digital form so that the results can be read on a computer. This technique has been approved by the FDA, but is controversial due to false positive results, which lead to unnecessary biopsies. Read the Breast Cancer Action fact sheet about these screening tests for more information.
Breast Cancer Action has also made a fact sheet available on their website called "Breast Cancer Action Recommendations and Policy Statement: Breast Cancer Screening and Early Detection." You can upload or read it on their website.
Also read Less Hormone Therapy, Less Breast Cancer from Women's Health Activist Newsletter, by Adriane Fugh-Berman, M.D., an excellent article about the decrease in breast cancer after women stopped taking menopausal hormones.
