Saddened

My heart grows sad when I read the obits of young women who have lost their brave battle against breast cancer. I wonder how they made the decision for the journey they traveled.

Three times this month I have read obituaries of young women (under 55, one was 39) who died within a few years of diagnosis of breast cancer. Each had "breast saving" surgery, followed by chemo and/or radiation.

How much time was cut out of their lives because of these choices. Yes, I know. It WAS their choice. Our society is all about freedom of choice.

Why don't we call it like it is. Freedom to die sooner than reaching for life by taking a more radical approach to fighting breast cancer. This freedom of choice based on incomplete information is killing women. My opinion.

Why is the information given women incomplete? The medical professionals aren't tracking the radical mastectomies. We don't exist on their radar. We aren't acknowledged because our survival rates would screw up their stats.

My radical mastectomy was over 30 years ago. I was young, so yes, I know what the emotional trauma of being diagnosed with breast cancer is like at the ripe old age of 27. The two Reach to Recovery volunteers who came to visit me in the hospital had undergone their radicals over 20 years previously. As far as I know, both lived another 20 years.

Before women are seduced into these lesser surgeries, give them the "whole truth, and nothing but the truth" about their chances.

Folks, I am flat chested. Somedays I totally forget I have no breasts. My prostheses are stored away and only taken out for special occassions.

And when I die, I don't want the obits to say I have fought the battle against breast cancer for over 30 years. I have survived.