New guidelines released last week by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) calling for later and less frequent screenings for breast and cervical cancer, respectively, have ignited a firestorm of commentary and confusion among American women. While the biggest and most pertinent fear is that the new guidelines will lead to more women dying of cancer, the underlying message the guidelines send to women is also damaging.
The message stands out most clearly in the line of the USPSTF's recommendation statement that says, “The USPSTF recommends against teaching breast self-examination (BSE).” The exam has simple steps: Look at your breasts in the mirror. Raise your arms as you look at your breasts in the mirror. Lie down and place one arm behind your head as you as you feel one breast with the opposite hand. Repeat on the other side. Feel your breasts while water is running over them in the shower. Finished.
During a breast self exam, a woman takes a few minutes to look at and to touch her own body. She’s encouraged to do it once a month, to make it her routine after her menstrual cycle. With such frequency, she will notice any abnormalities. But perhaps more importantly, she will know what’s normal. She will know her own body.
Telling women to visit the doctor less frequently and to abandon a monthly exam that encourages them to look at and know their bodies for themselves also tells women, “Don’t get to know your own body.” To describe the advice and its underlying message as detrimental would be too flattering to the advisers. The message is arcane, irrational and inhibiting, especially to single women.
Single women aren’t living in wait; they are living. They are starting businesses, buying homes and making and spending time with friends. They are living out their social, professional and financial dreams. Such pursuits require confidence, and confidence comes from knowing and loving yourself.
A single woman should love her personality, but let’s face it: confidence in your physical appearance is important, and so a single woman should also love her body.
Because getting to know your body can help you learn to love it, decreasing the frequency with which you actively look at it, or the frequency with which you have a professional look at it and impart you with knowledge of how it should be functioning, is a move in the wrong direction for a single woman. The more you know about your body, the more you’ll like it, and the more confident you’ll be about it. And confidence is critical when you’re single whether you’re attracting a mate, making friends, or going after your dream job.
So single ladies, take what you want from the science of the new guidelines, but as for that message of not getting to know yourself? Ignore it.
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