Monday, April 26, 2010

Mammograms - Who Needs Them

Perhaps no aspect of breast cancer are more widely publicized than screening mammography. Ads on TV, in magazines and in the daily paper urge women to deal with the fear of breast cancer by having an annual mammogram. We even told that doing this is a way to "really look after yourself."

But screening mammograms do not prevent breast cancer. A mammogram is an x-ray and x-rays cause cancer. The ads promoting regular screening mammography is paid by those who stand to exploit their widespread acceptance and use - producers of equipment and x-ray film. If health does this technology really benefit? Women's health? Or corporate health?

Should women have screening mammograms? At what age? How often? Scientists have not agreed on answers to these questions. Susan Weed believes that her anti-cancer lifestyle (see Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The wise woman Way) will reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer in a way that regular mammograms will not. She cares about her breasts with infused herbal oils, regular loving touch organic food and healthy exercise - and waives regular screening mammography. If you decide to have a mammogram, Weed offers advice on how to protect yourself and get the most out of it.

If you decide to have a mammogram

• Get the best, even if it means a long journey.

• Go where they specialize, preferably where they do least 20 mammograms a day.

• Make sure the facility is accredited by the American College of Radiology.

• Insist on staff who specialize in Mammography. (During and reading mammograms are skills that require intensive training and a lot of practice.)

• Ask how old the equipment is. Newer equipment exposes her breasts to less radiation. A dedicated unit (one specifically for mammography) is best.

• Ask how they ensure quality control. When was their calibrated device?

• Put your blood with carotenes by eating a cup of cooked sweet potato, winter squash and carrots every day for a week before the mammogram to prevent radiation damage to your DNA.

• Expect to be cold and uncomfortable during the mammogram, but says nothing if you are injured.

• The more compressed breast tissue, the clearer the mammogram. (But pressure can spread cancer cells, if they exist.)

• If your breasts are tender, reschedule. During your fertile years, schedule mammograms for 70 to 10 days after your menstrual flow begins.

• Do not wear antiperspirant containing aluminum, and it can interfere with the imaging process. (These clear stones do not contain aluminum, which makes most commercial antiperspirants.)

• If you want a second opinion, use the original mammography films, not copies. (X ray facilities only keep movies in seven years.)

• Get your doctor to agree, in writing, before proceeding to give you a copy of your mammogram. The U.S. Public Health Service available to women to ask for written findings from a mammogram.

• Given the high percentage of "false normal" mammograms if you think you have cancer, trust your intuition.

• Remove radioactive isotopes from your body with burdock root, seaweed and miss.

Remember: mammography does not promote breast health.

Breast self-massage, breast self-exam, and lifestyle changes do.

Breast Meditation

Sit comfortably in front of a large mirror in a warm, private space. Bare your breasts. Look in the mirror. Tell your boobs something like: "I love you. You are just the way you are supposed to be. I can see your perfection. I know your beauty. I honor your power." Use your own words. Repeat as many times as you like. When finished, close your eyes. Slowly bring your hands up and cup them in your breasts. Say: "My breasts are healthy. My breasts are strong." Open your eyes and look at yourself in the mirror and said: "My breasts are my strength. My strength nourishes me and others." Close your eyes and let your hands back into your lap. Sit still and breathe as you visualize the glowing pink clouds in your breasts spiral in towards your nipples for a minute. Continue to breathe, let this sparkling pink energy spiral out in a minute. As you inhale, imagine the energy doing figure eights from breast to breast for one minute. Finally, imagine that you are plunging their hands in vibrant pink energy. Feel it flowing up your arms, through your armpits and out of your nipples. Open your eyes, smile at yourself in the mirror and come out of meditation.

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