Oh, boy, I figured that would stir up a @!%#storm

First of all. (((((PedalWench))))) Praying that your lump turns out to be just a cyst. I DEFINITELY didn't suggest that anyone ignore clinical signs like that. I wouldn't ignore clinical signs in myself, either.

As y'all know, I'm pretty sensitive about this myself right now, so ignore if you want, otherwise my apologies for running on...

I didn't recommend anyone else skip screenings. I was pretty careful not to recommend that.

I did say that with regard to mass screening of asymptomatic individuals, everyone should make her own informed decision (or his informed decision, for gender inclusive and male-specific screenings).

I was honest that my personal opinion is no more reliable than a Novartis ad and that everyone should take both of those for what they're worth.

I recommended that people seek out HON Code certified sources of information, since there are many sites that seem to be professional but are not. I encourage everyone to read medical journal articles rather than consumer oriented summaries, AND to be aware, when reading them, of who sponsored the studies. I encourage everyone also to be aware of who controls the information that well-intentioned doctors rely on. I encourage everyone to be aware of exactly what is meant when doctors use words and phrases like "survival" and "mortality rate." I exhort everyone to be honest with herself that we will all die. There are no "preventable deaths." There are just occasions when life can be prolonged, and that may be a good or a bad thing depending on the quality of life. Most everyone who's owned a pet is well aware of this.

I'd also recommend a little book that doesn't directly address any of this, but is very instructive about human psychology: Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior, by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman. Early chapters about loss aversion are really relevant to decisionmaking about medical screening and treatment.

Sorry to go on so long. I just want to be clear that I DO respect everyone's decisions. I would HOPE that their decisionmaking is informed. And if someone reads the exact same sources of information I did and comes to a different decision, I respect that, too.

Hugs again, PedalWench.