[Jean]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166269.php#

http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/

While reading this article my reaction was the following:

The Gail Model is not worth basing your life on.
It is a hit and miss at best. While some of the questions on the Gail Model can place a woman in a more favorable position...it does not take into place the real issue of the bio chemical makeup of that woman.
My first question is how many who had their period early in life, had their first child later in life after (30) which is really more norm today than ever before; are in menopause DO NOT GET BREAST CANCER and why?

The Gail model for me was 97.6% of risk....so what did that model really mean? We as women must keep a strong effort to practice breast health care.

Yesterday as I sat in a very busy waiting lobby for my Breast MRI...women were complaining of waiting - complaining about having to even be there. I just sat there and my thoughts were : Stop complaining this is part of our life like having our teeth cleaned.

We need to educate our daughters, daughters in law, niece, cousin, women friends as much as possible. To be diligent with their breast health care. I guess I am tired of dr. using these silly measurements about risk. Most of us on the site know better since we are dealing with the disease. I am concerned about women who really know very little (like me before dx.). We need more updated information to women before they are dx. so they can make the best health decisions.

This disease is a very complex issue and when placing that Gail model up against it....well it just blows me away as it is almost of no real use. Think back when we were new to this disease and did not major in science. Lots to learn and now as I look back - I was a lucky victim of this disease as I had digital mammograms on a regular basis.
But there is a mountain of information that young women must be educated about to enhance their breast health.

Okay my dear friends - I have stepped down off my soap box.
Hugs,
Jean