Why We Need the EARLY Act

Thanks for writing about this subject.  I am always distressed when women are told, "You are too young to get breast cancer."  While it may be statistically less likely for a young woman than an older one, it can happen.  Doctors and patients need to be open-minded and respond to symptoms, rather than statistical probability.  I think some of the objection to the EARLY act is about spending scarce resources in ways that will help the most people.  

In the inflammatory breast cancer community, we hear a lot of objections to teaching women that breast cancer doesn't always start with a lump because doctors don't want to scare women about a rare cancer.  No one wants to scare young women about breast cancer.  We need to trust that with accurate information, women of any age will make wise decisions about their health.

I spoke to my friend that is a doctor and I asked him, "why do they say younger women can't have mammograms? It is clear to me that women are getting cancer earlier! They need to change this rule!" And he said that it was not a rule...it was a recommendation.

Well it sucks. And it is antiquated and ridiculous. So I am telling all my friends to demand mammo's. What else can we do?

 thanks for all you do to get out the word, Maimah