Have been biting my fingernails for a while now, as this conversation unfolds.

I have survived bilateral breast cancer, thanks to being a Canadian and having access to our national healthcare system. Hurrah for that, at least. I made it through and I was not bankrupted in the process. Dea gratia!

However, I have implants within my breasts, part of the reconstructive process. Nothing fancy, just little bags full of specially-blended vegetable oil which does not obstruct or confuse mammograms. I would imagine that many women who have survived breast cancer, receivered mastectomies and elected for reconstruction also possess such implants.

In passing through an American security checkpoint, recently, whilst leaving the country by air, my breasts were groped so roughly as to be bruised -- during what I was assured was a 'normal patdown'. The person doing that groping was embarassed and apologetic for having to continue after I told her that she was hurting me. I found the experience triggery in the extreme, and have in the subsequent weeks coming to the growing realisation that I do not want to ever travel to the USA by air again. Period. Full stop.

I appreciate the arguments being made pro- and con-groping. I appreciate that there are issues of 'global security' and 'sek-ur-i-tay theatre' both; they are not likely to be resolved by one woman's conclusion that she's had enough of all of this foolishness.

In my heart of hearts, I believe that most of the players in this fiasco mean well (with the obvious exception of anyone contemplating an actual act of terrorism or other violence!), but we've reached an impasse.

I am wondering whether, if I subsequently change my mind and decide to fly into or out of the USA again, whether I should simply ask the duty FSD for a manual mammography report? Who knows, they might find a pre-cancerous lump, thus saving the Canadian healthcare system some time and money.

Hope springs eternal,

Mevlannen