Alarming breast cancer rates among troops reported

cp418

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/02/breast-cancer-troops/1608293/

"Researchers point to a higher use of oral contraception -- also linked to breast cancer -- among military women as a possible culprit."

wallycat

yet my twin, cancer free, was on OC for over 30 years.  I was only on it for 8....

sorry...crap shoot!

jenrio

Dod funds lots of exciting metastatic breast cancer research.   Now I see why.

Never mind how the risk becomes more, just find the cure.

cp418

http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiedrummond/2012/10/05/does-the-military-have-a-breast-cancer-crisis-not-quite/

Does the Military Have a Breast Cancer Crisis? Not Quite.

lkctjs

jenrio, we SHOULD care about why the risk is higher... can't work to prevent it if you don't understand it.  And that's where our efforts should lie.  Early detection is nice, but how about avoiding it altogether?

(note that I have been on active duty for 18 years and am very interested in this topic)

lkctjs

cp418... interesting article, thanks for posting.  I'm curious what "mandatory screening program" the doctor is talking about because I sure didn't have one.  In fact, the under-40 crowd is considered "low-risk" so unless you answer an annual health questionnaire with something alarming (and apparently a mother with ovarian cancer and grandmother and aunt with breast cancer aren't alarming), you don't even have to see a doctor unless you ask.  And when you see the doctor, the women's wellness exam, which includes a manual breast exam, is optional.  I asked for it, and that's how my lump was discovered.  I couldn't feel it myself.  There were so many opportunities for this to get missed... what if it had gone on for another year?