by Shelley Singer

I am in a high-risk category for breast cancer. My mother has had it twice. I am 59 and have been having mammograms since I was 40. I examine myself (none too thoroughly) and have manual breast exams every three months. I took Tamoxifen for five years, prophylactically, after research and discussions with my doctors about a study suggesting that it might prevent an initial occurrence in a healthy woman as well as reduce the chances of recurrence. I feel confident that I am doing what I can to prevent this disease.

The new mammogram guidelines must be confusing to many women. I fall into an unambiguous category, so will continue to have one every year. I am not in a position to evaluate the new guidelines, but I hope what I have written will resonate for many of us.

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