Statement by Ann Fonfa, Founder, The Annie Appleseed Project Here are my initial thoughts on the studies relating to BSE: 1) These findings are similar to those on mammography. That is there are NO real survival benefits shown. There are certainly down sides to both. However the downside for BSE seems to be that more women will present with benign lumps. This is true as well for mammograms. The downside of mammography starts with extra exposure to radiation. 2) This brings up the idea that what is wrong here is not the finding of lumps that may be benign, but what is done with that lump. We do NOT have reliable means of evaluating a lump except for a surgical biopsy (or core biopsy, or sterotactic). All, I believe, create scar tissue,although it is known that cocoa butter rubbed in daily for at least a three-month period, can substantially reduce scar tissue (not the scar but the underlying scar tissue). 3) Complaints about the costs involved do NOT have any sway with me. I believe much more of the nation's (any nation's) resources should be placed in the service of health. I would LOVE to see prevention take a real part. Our organization, The Annie Appleseed Project believes strongly that both primary and secondary prevention are related to healthy eating habits (fresh, organic fruits and vegetables daily, low sugar, low salt, healthy fats), dietary supplements (needed to offset our polluted planet), exercise (mild, moderate or more), detoxification (takes many forms) and more related to staying healthy. In common with many women in their forties, BSE was the reason I found my own malignant lump. Practicing this monthly gave me a feeling of control over my breast health. This matters. Almost nothing we have, either in detection NOR treatment, has been shown to reduce mortality in all populations. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.