Understanding the Mammography Controversy: Science, Politics, and Breast Cancer Screening

by Madelon L. Finkel

Overview

Writing to be understood by the layreader, Finkel shows how breast cancer develops and explains the controversy surrounding mammography. How valid are the screenings? Who should be screened? How frequently? At what age? Should women be screened at all? This book dissects the issues to help present answers. Above all, says Finkel. Women need to make informed decisions, and to do what they need to understand the potential benefits and potential harms accompanying mammography.

This book includes a timeline showing changing public advice on mammography across the years. Listings explain how to see federal reports on mammography facilites and how to find and contact support groups. Finkel details the development of breast cancer and its various types of tumors, the treatment options, and the psychological effects. Also provided are techniques for—and questions to ask when—communicating with your doctor in order to make informed decisions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313363177
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/30/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Madelon L. Finkel is Professor of Clinical Public Health at Cornell University's Weill Medical College, and Director of the Office of Global Health Medical Education. A professor at Cornell for more than two decades, she earned her PhD in epidemiology and health services research from the Graduate School of the Arts and Sciences at New York University. She has been awarded the highest honor at Cornell's medical college, the Excellence in Teaching Award. She has authored 10 books, including Truth, Lies and Public Health: How We Are Affected When Science and Politics Collide (Praeger, 2007).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgment ix

1 The Female Breast 1

2 The Epidemiology of Breast Cancer: Who Is at Risk? 15

3 Breast Cancer and Treatment Options 39

4 The Principles of Cancer Screening and Diagnosis 57

5 Breast Cancer Detection: Old and New Techniques 71

6 What Does the Research Show? 93

7 Science, Politics, and Mammograms 109

8 Communicating with Doctors David Hyman Madelon L. Finkel 129

9 Coping with Breast Cancer 149

Appendix A The Breast Self-Exam 165

Appendix B Listing of Types of Support Groups/Organizations 167

Appendix C Additional Resources Regarding Clinical Trials 169

Appendix D Additional Resources and References Regarding Mammography 171

Glossary 173

Notes 179

Index 195

Editorial Reviews

Useful information; for practitioners and professional.” —Library Jourbanal

From the Publisher

"Useful information; for practitioners and professional collections." (LJ9/1/05)

—Bette-Lee Fox

Library Journal