I had my first mammogram two and a half years ago, at the insistance of my doctor (we compromised - she wanted a PAP smear and a mammogram and I didn’t want either. I told her I’d do the mammogram but not the pap.) My mother and one of her sisters has had breast cancer. One of my sisters has had a breast cancer scare. The first one they did they found something about the size of a marble. They did an ultrasound and said to come back every six months for another mammogram to make sure it doesn’t change size. I’ve done that and it hasn’t. Although now that I’m unemployed and have lost my insurance, I didn’t go in for the last checkup. When I get another job, though, I’ll go back.
It’s really not that back. Although some techs seem to be more gentle than others, just like with some techs you can barely feel the needle when they draw blood, and others are very painful.
As I may have mentioned earlier in this same thread, my mammograms are paid for by my local health dept. through their Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (I don’t have insurance, either). You might check with your health dept. to see if they have such a program.
I went for my initial baseline mammogram when I was 39 and lactating; I was turned away at the radiologist’s office. The reason they won’t do lactating women is the result is uselsess; one type of cancer shows up as deposits of calcium and there is calcium all through your breasts when you are lactating. I went back for the baseline 3 years later; I forget how long after weaning they told me to wait before I scheduled the exam. Everything was fine, and has been on all the exams so far. Extended breastfeeding lowers your breast cancer risk anyway.
Caveat: this was 7 years ago, and if there is all this new techology things might have changed. I don’t really see how though; the radiologist told me that my film would basically have been a cloudy white outline of a breast.
I didn’t know this was going to be bumped. I had my second exam Sept 16, and they were nice enough to read the results while I was there.
I have clean and clear boobies, and nothing to worry about for another two years.
Biblio, it’s your turn. Vanilla did it, so you can too.
And, StGermain, not to jump on the Lecture Wagon, but why aren’t you having a pap smear? I will admit it’s not the most pleasant thing in the world to do, but it’s very necessary.
Get your mammograms and your pap smears, people. I’ve had mine. My mom and maternal grandmother both ended up having double radical mastectomies. I don’t wanna go that route, and early detection is the key. And I’ve already had to have a hysterectomy because of dysplasia. And I’m 38.
Oh, and you guys? Do what Cartooniverse said and get your prostate exams.
It’s not smart to die sooner than you need to just because you’re afraid of a little discomfort.
ivylass - I am phobic about doctors and I’m hypermodest. I’ve gone 25 years between doctor visits. Many times I’ve been sick and would rather tough it out than go to the doctor. And, quite frankly, death doesn’t scare me - it’s welcome any time. My life has been more of a burden than a blessing. Cancer isn’t the preferred way out, but it’ll do.
My mother, having worked with cancer patients and survivors, having had a sister who lost a breast and her hearing to cancer, and being on the board of directors of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, has concluded that mammography is useless.
Thermography is the way to go. It’s way more effective, especially for women with larger breasts, it’s less painful, and it’s less dangerous in the long run.