Women under the age of 50 should still get mammograms

To the Editor:

I am writing today concerning the recent debate over mammogram testing.

I am discouraged. I think it is ridiculous for a woman to wait until she is 50 to have her first mammogram done. Do you realize how deadly that long wait of time could be? I’ll give you a real life example. My mother was diagnosed at 46 years of age with breast cancer. She died two years later as a result of it.

My doctor suggested that I have my first mammogram 10 years before my mother was diagnosed. That was four years ago, to tell you the truth I’m glad I did. They discovered a fibro cyst. I don’t even want to think what could’ve happen if I didn’t listen to my doctor. I have gone every year, and so far knock on wood no other issues have occurred.

You know what ladies, you better watch out because in a few years, they’ll do the same thing with the pap tests.

Now for a taste of reality with the insurance companies. You know they only did this so they can make even more money, by not paying out for those so-called unnecessary tests. They have no problem when it comes to collecting our premiums.

Please don’t take these tests lightly; the exams last for only a few minutes. But it can save your life.

Debbie Lewis

Cumberland