plaskon@hplabsc.UUCP (Dawn Plaskon) (01/06/84)
Thank you for a very well written rebuttal. I had been planning to respond for a couple of reasons, but you have taken care of one of them. I did not have the source of the studies of circumcision/ cervical cancer anyway, and I do not like to make references I can not support. To the original article which started this. I think many of the hysterectomies, tubal ligations, etc. which are performed needlessly may be the result of the "it is more trouble than it is worth to fix this up, I'll remove it" syndrome. Having been through two bouts of major surgery for genital problems, I am thankful that my doctor did not fall into that category. I was on the table for more than three and a half hours the first time, and more than two and a half the second as my doctor carefully rebuilt my tubes, removed layer upon layer of adhesions, repositioned my uterus, and otherwise put me back together again internally. Put this time against the hour it would have taken to simply remove everything and I find it easy to see why many doctors can't be bothered. It is unfortunate that such a thing is so, but I think it can be partially avoided by finding a doctor who will communicate with you. Do not let yourself be put aside with the "I know best" attitude. Ask questions, if your doctor won't answer them, or answers them in a manner that dissatisfies you, perhaps you need to find another doctor. Dr. Dragonas was very good about telling me exactly what he was doing and why he felt it to be necessary. Now, four years after my second operation I am having regular menstrual cycles for the first time in my life. It is a wonderful feeling to know your body's schedule after years of never being sure and I am grateful that I found a caring physician while I was still naive enough to not ask questions. I think that if people begin asking questions of their physicians and refusing to be put off, eventually the physicians will be forced to respond with answers and not platitudes. Dawn(plaskon.hplabs@RAND-RELAY)