Seeking Prevention of Breast Cancer
Re “The Pink-Ribbon Trap,” Opinion, Dec. 23: In their exposition on mammography’s failure to improve survival statistics, Barbara Ehrenreich and Barbara Brenner cite the Lancet to make their point. Prevention is the most important issue. Population studies also cited in the Lancet as well as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition Reviews show a lower incidence of breast cancer with higher intakes of folic acid and vitamin B12. Other means to cancer prevention and immune system enhancement include smoking cessation, a healthy diet and exercise.
Obesity and a high-saturated-fat diet increase breast cancer incidence. Exercise, weight loss, low- calorie and low-saturated-fat diets, coupled with essential fats (Omega-3), may lower cancer incidence. People can take the initiative by taking responsibility for their lifestyles.
Jerome P. Helman MD
Marina del Rey
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My mother is alive today more than a decade after early detection and treatment of her breast cancer. My aunt is alive today solely due to the aggressive treatment she received for breast cancer undetected by mammography. As one whose entry into medicine was motivated by those experiences, I was particularly struck by the hostile tone of Ehrenreich and Brenner.
The Danish study they cite does add to the conversation regarding breast cancer detection and treatment, but it is by no means the final word on the subject. I would commend to the authors a principle that is taught early in medical training: Even those studies that support our biases require critical evaluation.
It would be wonderful indeed if the terrible enigma of breast cancer would yield to increasing “angry and shrill” protest, but such is not the case. I would encourage Ehrenreich and Brenner not to damn the medical establishment with blanket condemnations. If they take the opportunity, I suspect they will find that those who comprise that establishment--people such as myself--share many of their stated goals and values.
Matthew Janssen
Student, UCLA Medical School
