Experts still recommend mammograms to reduce deaths from breast cancer

Experts still recommend mammograms to reduce deaths from breast cancer
EDITOR:
Over the past few weeks, several published reports have raised doubts about whether mammography reduces the death rate for breast cancer. Experts at the American Cancer Society feel that the scientific evidence still supports the recommendation that women over the age of 40 should have yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
Experts agree that mammograms can lead to the discovery of breast cancer at an early stage when the chance for a cure is much greater than for breast cancer at a later stage. Of course, mammography is not a perfect test and some breast cancers may not be detected soon enough before they grow rapidly and spread to other organs. This is why breast cancer remains a major priority for the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society believes that we should use the best tools we have now, while we continue to invest funds into research efforts to find better solutions for breast and other cancers, and we will continue to monitor scientific advancements and make appropriate adjustments to current cancer screening guidelines when this is warranted.
We have made much progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I would hope that the recent controversial reports about mammography do not force us to take a giant step backward. Women should continue to talk with their doctors about the importance of regular mammograms. For more information about cancer and the latest screen ing guidelines, call the American Cancer Society's 24-hour information line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or on the web at www.cancer.org.
ROBERT T. BRODELL, M.D.
Warren
X Dr. Brodell is chief medical spokesperson and president of the American Cancer Society, Ohio Division.
Traficant's support shows what's wrong with Valley
EDITOR:
One of the great mysteries of life is how people like James Jones or David Koresh can mesmerize people, creating blind followers who will go so far as to take their own lives. Many of the people of the Mahoning Valley are taking this same path with their support of Jim Traficant. No matter how much evidence is presented to support the accusations of corruption and malfeasance, Mr. Traficant's gullible followers continue to support him and his buffoonery. This blind stupidity has made the Mahoning Valley the laughing stock of the country and helped to prevent economic development.
What is the reason for such faith? Mr. Traficant is a master at painting himself as the underdog, and doesn't everyone root for the underdog? Does the image of the Valley as a blue-collar area play right into & quot;the son of a truck driver's & quot; hands? Is it his disheveled look or his tattered image? Maybe the Valley is pining for the days when corruption and organized crime was rampant and the steel mills were flourishing?
Whatever the reason for this unfettered support, the people of the Valley must look at the realities of what is happening in the area. The population of Youngstown is dwindling faster than Youngstown City Council can take away power from the arena board. The future of a number of businesses in the Valley is at risk. Will GM Lordstown be an employer here in five years, and even if it stays how many people will it employ? Will Phar-Mor emerge from bankruptcy and still remain in Youngstown?
Will graduates of Youngstown State University continue to leave the area for good paying jobs? Will more and more suburbanites make the drive to Akron, Cleveland and Pittsburgh for the good paying jobs and eventually leave?
The consequences of these problems, if not addressed, could be catastrophic. Take a look at the job listings in the Sunday Vindicator and compare them to those in the Pittsburgh, Columbus and Cleveland papers. Very few if any, of The Vindicator's job ads are for technical, engineering or other white collar offerings unless they are listings from out of town.
There are, however, plenty of openings for phone solicitors, baby sitters, and fast food restaurants.
If the residents of the Mahoning Valley don't wake up soon, there won't be a Valley to wake up to!
BILL JOHNSON
Boardman