Donna Pinto

After two barbaric biopsies, I was given a diagnosis called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), commonly known as “stage zero” breast cancer. While it was described as “pre-cancer,” the “standard-of-care treatments” seemed extreme and radical — the same as if I had full blown invasive cancer.

Intuitively I knew something was not right.

I left the doctor’s office in a state of shock, drove home, and immediately got on my computer to investigate.

Over the next few weeks, I spent countless hours searching the internet.

I was overjoyed when I found a handful of experts discussing a controversy about “over-treatment” of DCIS — exactly what my intuition was telling me.

Emboldened by this information, I declined all treatments, and continued to research nonstop. 

What I discovered next blew me away. Doctors were claiming, studies showed at the root of over-treatment was a 30-year epidemic of “over-diagnosis.” My dad argued with me, “Donna, that’s not even a word.”

As I dug deeper into the problem of over-diagnosis, it became clear that discussing this, and other harms of mammography, was a taboo subject.

My initial shock evolved into concern, and at times, outrage.

Why was this information not widely known? And, why were women not being informed by their doctors before starting routine screening mammograms?

Like most women, I thought I was being responsible, and I felt proud going for my first mammogram at age 40.

I did no research and I asked no questions. I trusted my doctor, and all that I heard in the media.

I was naive to any harms. Sadly, I learned the hard way.

That’s why this book is so important.

It serves as a counterbalance to the onslaught of pink ribbon marketing slogans women hear year after year during October’s famous Breast Cancer Awareness Month — “Get Your Mammogram… Early Detection Saves Lives!” 

Looking back, I wish I had a book like this in my 30s. I have learned the value of being informed vs. finding out later, after damage has been done, and there is nothing really that can undo the harm.

For me, sharing information and helping other women understand this complex subject, has been rewarding and healing in itself.

My goal is to empower and support women so they can make well-informed choices when it comes to their health.

No one should ever feel pressured, coerced, intimidated, incentivized, or fear-mongered into a medical test without knowing the potential risks.

Women tell me, it’s not so easy to challenge their doctor, or to ask for a different imaging test, but women have every right to opt out, and/or to seek alternatives that align with their values.

With the comprehensive knowledge, my hope is for you to feel confident in speaking intelligently with your doctor, and to know, if you choose to opt out of mammograms, you have valid reasons, and you are not alone.

Donna Pinto