Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Anticipation and Medicine pp 309–321Cite as

Anticipating the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: Screening Controversies and Warning Dreams

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 679 Accesses

Abstract

Mass population screening programs such as mammography represent an attempt to use technology to forecast the presence of disease in asymptomatic individuals. Unfortunately, sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks when there are too many false positives that require further invasive diagnostic procedures or when detection of carcinoma in situ leads to aggressive treatment of disease that may have never become clinically relevant. There are options of using other imaging approaches such MRI, ultrasound, and thermography, as well as offering genetic screening. It is also a timely opportunity to investigate an intuitive approach to self-care using dreams as a supplement to breast self-examination. A recent survey of 18 women, from around the world, who had life-changing warning dreams of breast cancer prior to symptoms that prompted medical attention leading directly to diagnosis will be reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Nadin, M.: Anticipation and the Brain. In: Nadin, M.: (ed.) Anticipation and Medicine, pp. 135–162. Springer, Cham (2016).

References

  1. SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Breast Cancer. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html

  2. Biller-Andorno, N., Juni, P.: Abolishing mammography screening programs? A view from the Swiss Medical Board. NEJM 16 (2014) doi:10.1056/NEJMp1401875 http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1401875

  3. Rebbeck, T.R., Friebel, T., Lynch, H.T., et al.: Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy reduces breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: the PROSE study group. J. Clin. Oncol. 22, 1055–1062 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Burk, L.: Breast cancer warning dreams pilot project: characteristics of prodromal dreams. In: Proceedings of the 31st Annual International Association for the Study of Dreams Conference, Berkeley, CA (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Eberl, M.M., Fox, C.H., Edge, S.B., Carter, C.A., Mahoney, M.C.: BI-RADS classification for management of abnormal mammograms. J. Am. Board Fam. Med. 19, 161–164 (2006). doi:10.3122/jabfm.19.2.161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Shapiro, S.: Evidence on screening for breast cancer from a randomized trial. Cancer 39(suppl 6), 2772–2782 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Fletcher, S., Black, W., Harris, R., Rimer, B., Shapiro, S.: Report of the international workshop on screening for breast cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 85, 1621–1624 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Breast Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann. Intern. Med. 17, 151(10), 716–726, W-236 (2009). doi:10.7326/0003-4819-151-10-200911170-00008. http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=15429

  9. Mainiero, M.B., et al.: ACR appropriateness criteria breast cancer screening. J. Am. Coll. Radiol. 10(1); 11–14 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2012.09.036. http://www.acr.org/~/media/ACR/Documents/AppCriteria/Diagnostic/BreastCancerScreening.pdf

  10. Gøtzsche, P.C., Nielsen, M.: Screening for breast cancer with mammography. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 19(1), CD001877. (2011) doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001877.pub4

  11. Welch, H.G., Schwartz, L., Woloshin, S.: Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health. Beacon Press, Boston (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zackrisson, S., Andersson, I., Janzon, L., Manjer, J., Garne, J.P.: Rate of over-diagnosis of breast cancer 15 years after end of Malmö mammographic screening trial: follow-up study. BMJ 332(7543), 689–692 (2006). Epub 3

    Google Scholar 

  13. Welch, H.G., Black, W.C.: Using autopsy series to estimate the disease “reservoir” for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: how much more breast cancer can we find? Ann. Intern. Med. 127(11), 1023–1028 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gofmann, J.W.: Preventing Breast Cancer: The Story of a Major, Proven, Preventable Cause of This Disease. Committee for Nuclear Responsibility, San Francisco (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Hefti, R.: The Mammogram Myth: the independent investigation of mammography the medical profession doesn’t want you to know about. Amazon Digital Services, Rolf Hefti (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Miller, A.B., Wall, C., Baines, C.J., Sun, P., To, T., Narod, S.A.: Twenty five year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality of the Canadian National breast screening study: randomised screening trial. BMJ 348 (2014). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g366 (Published 11 February 2014) http://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g366

  17. Kopans, D.B.: Arguments against mammography screening continue to be based on faulty science. Oncologist 19(2), 107–112 (2014). doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2013-0184. https://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/19/2/107.full.pdf+html

  18. Tabár, L., Vitak, B., Yen, M.F., Chen, H.H., Smith, R.A., Duffy, S.W.: Number needed to screen: lives saved over 20 years of follow-up in mammographic screening. J. Med. Screen. 11(3), 126–129 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Webb, M.L., Cady, B., Michaelson, J.S., et al.: A failure analysis of invasive breast cancer: most deaths from disease occur in women not regularly screened. Cancer 120(18), 2839–2846 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kopans, D.B.: Digital breast tomosynthesis from concept to clinical care. AJR 202(2), 299–308 (2014). doi:10.2214/AJR.13.11520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Berlin, L., Hall, F.M.: More mammography muddle: emotions, politics, science, costs, and polarization. Radiology 255(2), 311–316 (2010). doi:10.1148/radiol.10100056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Fakhran, S., Alhilali, L., Kale, H., Kanal, E.: Assessment of rates of acute adverse reactions to gadobenate dimeglumine: review of more than 130,000 administrations in 7.5 years. AJR 204, 703–706. (2015) http://www.ajronline.org/doi/abs/10.2214/AJR.14.13430

  23. Schlaudecker, J.D., Bernheisel, C.R.: Gadolinium-induced nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Am. Fam. Physician 80(7), 711–714. (2009) http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/1001/p711.html

  24. McDonald, R.J., McDonald, J.S., Kallmes, D.F., Jentoft, M.E., Murray, D.L., Thielen, K.R., Williamson, E.E., Eckel, L.J.: Intracranial gadolinium deposition after contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Radiology 5, 150025 (2015). [Epub ahead of print] http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.15150025

  25. Kuhl, C.K., et al.: Mammography, breast ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging for surveillance of women at high Familial risk for breast cancer. JCO 23(33), 8469–8476 (2005). http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/23/33/8469.long

  26. Berg, W.: How well does supplemental screening magnetic resonance imaging work in high-risk women? JCO 32(21), 2193–2196 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Genetics Screening. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/genetics_screening.pdf

  28. Berg, W.A., Blume, J.D., Adams, A.M., et al.: Reasons women at elevated risk of breast cancer refuse breast MR imaging screening: ACRIN 6666. Radiology 254, 79–87 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Berg, W.A., et al.: Combined screening with ultrasound and mammography vs. mammography alone in women at elevated risk of breast cancer. JAMA 299(18), 2151–2163 (2008). http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=181896

  30. Corsetti, V., Houssami, N., Ferrari, A., et al.: Breast screening with ultrasound in women with mammography-negative dense breasts: evidence on incremental cancer detection and false positives, and associated cost. Eur. J. Cancer 44, 539–544 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Moskowitz, M.: Screening for breast cancer: how effective are our tests? A critical review. CA-A Cancer J. Clin. 33(1), 26–39 (1983). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/canjclin.33.1.26/pdf

  32. Amalu, W.C., Hobbins, W.B., Head, J.F., Elliot, R.L.: Infrared imaging of the breast: an overview. In medical devices and systems. CRC/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Hudson, T.: Journey to Hope: Leaving the Fear of Breast Cancer Behind. Brush and Quill Productions, Naples, FL (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Pollack, A.: New genetic tests for breast cancer hold promise. The New York Times, April 21 (2015). http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/business/more-accurate-affordable-tests-for-detecting-breast-cancer-genes.html?_r=1

  35. BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer risk and genetic testing. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet#r27

  36. Shiovitz, S., Korde, L.A.: Genetics of breast cancer: a topic in evolution. Ann. Oncol. (2015). doi:10.1093/annonc/mdv022

    Google Scholar 

  37. BRCA-related cancer: risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Topic/recommendation-summary/brca-related-cancer-risk-assessment-genetic-counseling-and-genetic-testing

  38. Phillips, K.A., Milne, R.L., Rookus, M.A., et al.: Tamoxifen and risk of contralateral breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. JCO 31(25), 3091–3099 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Sigerist, H.E.: A History of Medicine, Volume 2: early Greek, Hindu, and Persian Medicine, 1st edn. Oxford University Press, New York (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Krippner, S.: Humanity’s first healers: psychological and psychiatric stances on shamans and shamanism. Rev. Psiq. Clin. 34S(1), 16–22 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Kasatkin, V.N.: Teoriya Snovidenii (Theory of Dreams). Meditsina, Leningrad (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Van de Castle, R.L.: Our Dreaming Mind. Ballantine Books, New York (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Royston, R., Humphries, A.: The Hidden Power of Dreams. Bantam Books, London (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Barasch, M.I.: Healing Dreams: Exploring the Dreams That Can Transform Your Life. Riverhead Books, New York (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Kinney, C.K.: Transcending breast cancer: reconstructing one’s self. Issues Mental Health Nurs. 17, 201–216 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Burk, L.: Prodromal dreams of breast cancer and clinical correlation. In: Proceedings of the IASD Psiber dreaming Conference (2013). http://www.letmagichappen.com/images/uploads/documents/pdc2013-burk.BreastCancerDreams.pdf

  47. Lee-Shield, S.: My Appeal. July 4 (2013). http://soniaslifeappeal.wordpress.com/myappeal/

  48. Dossey, L.: One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters. Hay House Inc, Carlsbad, CA (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Burch, W.E.: She Who Dreams: A Journey Into Healing Through Dreamwork. New World Library, Novato, CA (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  50. O’Keefe-Kanavos, K.: Surviving Cancerland: Intuitive Aspects of Healing. Cypress House, Fort Bragg, CA (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  51. DreamsCloud, https://www.dreamscloud.com/

  52. Burk, L.: Warning dreams preceding the diagnosis of breast cancer: a survey of the most important characteristics. Explore 11(3), 193–198 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.explore.2015.02.008. Epub 2015 Feb 14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Nadin, M.: Anticipation across disciplines. Cognitive Systems Monographs, Vol. 29. Springer, Cham, CH (2015). http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319225982

  54. Dossey, L.: Nonlocal knowing: the emerging view of who we are. Explore 4(1), 1–9 (2008). http://www.explorejournal.com/article/S1550-8307%2807%2900414-4/fulltext#sec5

  55. Yee, K.M.: USPSTF mammo recs would cut coverage for 17M women. AuntMinnie.com. May 14 (2015). http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=imc&pag=dis&ItemID=110963&wf=6529

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Healing Imager, P.C, Durham, North Carolina, USA

    Larry Burk

Authors
  1. Larry Burk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Larry Burk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. antÉ—Institute for Research in Anticipatory Systems, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA

    Mihai Nadin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Burk, L. (2017). Anticipating the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: Screening Controversies and Warning Dreams. In: Nadin, M. (eds) Anticipation and Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45142-8_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45142-8_19

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45140-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-45142-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation