# Ladies, you think I was kidding about the mammograms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 28, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064 "2008-03-28T16:48:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/1 "2008-03-28T16:48:59Z")
[Back in February](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=456979), I urged all Lady Dopers to get their mammograms. Today, I went in for additional imaging. I remembered getting a second imaging back in 2004, and I figured it was because the screening the insurance will pay for isn’t worth much, but it’s the hoops the doctors have to jump through before they can request the “real” imaging. So, I go in, get the ladies squished, then the tech asks me to sit down, since the radiologist wants to see them. Now. I sit and read, then I get in called in for more squishing. The ladies get squished again, then I go sit and read some more. Then I they call me in for an ultrasound. Then the radiologist comes in to do the ultrasound herself. Now, they want to do a biopsy. Probably nothing, but what if it isn’t? So, go make your appointment. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/2 "2008-03-28T16:55:21Z")
I hope it is nothing. My sister is sporting the “lesbian chic” look after a year of breast cancer treatments - and is clear now. I’ve had two mammograms in twelve months - I find them to be the most ridiculous medical procedure I go under. (“Here, bend this knee, lean back a little, drape your arm here - do you feel like you are about to take an odd beefcake photo - good - PLOP - don’t breathe - SQUISH - don’t breathe…ok”). ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/3 "2008-03-28T16:57:06Z")
I’ve done mine this year–last month, actually. It was the first time they didn’t make me come back for the ultrasound in a while. ::fingers crossed that yours is nothing:: ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/4 "2008-03-28T17:09:38Z")
Just did mine a few weeks ago, a bit early since I found a lump. Luckily, turns out it’s a cyst and I can expect to start getting them regularly. When I asked how to tell the worrisome lumps from the non-worrisome, that was a bit of a stumper. Other than the cysts will usually be a little sore and the non-cysts usually won’t, we just get to play it by ear, so it sounds like I’ll be in for extra squash from now on. Good luck, **ivylass** - I’ll send my benign booby vibes your way. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/5 "2008-03-28T17:13:04Z")
Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/6 "2008-03-28T17:20:17Z")
I’m due, but my regular doc is out on maternity leave, so I’ve been delaying till she gets back. I probably shouldn’t, though, should I? ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/7 "2008-03-28T17:38:03Z")
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you… hope the biopsy results come back clear. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/8 "2008-03-28T18:14:19Z")
{{{ **ivylass** }}} I’ll be thinking of you. Keep us informed. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/9 "2008-03-28T18:19:41Z")
I hope it turns out to be nothing. Fingers crossed for you. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/10 "2008-03-28T18:22:07Z")
I am due for mine this year/next year. My doctors don’t see much reason for me to rush it (I’m 36) but the egg-donor’s latest scam involves telling people she has breast cancer, so I will probably be getting mine done soon. I have a friend who has had a few lumpies biopsied and they turned out to be nothing, so I will hope that is the case with you. Keep us posted! ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/11 "2008-03-28T18:24:29Z")
Wishing the best {{{ **Ivylass** }}} ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/12 "2008-03-28T18:24:59Z")
Can I tell you something kinda cool? Ivylad called me at work, to tell me my doctor had called the house. I called the office back, and the receptionist said that she was with a patient, and asked for my name. Then she put me on hold, and then my doctor gets on the phone! That means she excused herself from patient she was with to come talk to me! She asked if I had any questions, and said 80% of the time, it’s benign. So, it’s nice to know I have good doctors who are taking this seriously. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/13 "2008-03-28T18:25:48Z")
Just last week, I got the note in the mail that my most recent tit-squishin’ was clean. I think it was my 16th, including the baseline at age 35. It’s certainly not my favorite medical appointment, but in the grand scheme of things, a few seconds of very very _very_ firm squishin’ once a year isn’t a biggie. And thankfully, our fambly history is clean for breast cancer. Strokes is another story… {{{ **ivylass** }}} - I sincerely hope it’s nothing, but if it’s not, I hope you caught it way early and it’ll end up being less than a big, scary deal. ---
**Author:** ![MsFancyPlants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@MsFancyPlants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsFancyPlants)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/14 "2008-03-28T18:28:08Z")
With a biopsy you will have a definitive answer about the suspicious area. You’re right, the percentages are in your favor that it’s probably just a cyst and with a biopsy you will know for sure. I’ve had a callback on my mammogram (_very_ dense breast tissue) and the scenes I played out in my mind before I got the test results made life hell for a week or so. All I learned from the experience (other than everything was OK) was that it’s useless to torture yourself with worries when you don’t know the facts. I hope you’ll be smarter than me and spare yourself, **ivylass**!! I’ll be thinking of you… ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/15 "2008-03-28T18:31:56Z")
I’m okay. I figure it’s better if they look and find nothing, then don’t look and miss something. And if it does turn out to be something…well, I’ll deal with it then. Until then, stressing isn’t going to change a malignancy to a benign, so I might as well not fret. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/16 "2008-03-28T18:35:44Z")
I’ve had the \*lump-that-turns-out-to-be-nothing \* myself, and I wish the same for you! ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/17 "2008-03-28T18:49:23Z")
Yeah, I’m cyst-y, my mom was cyst-y, my gramma was cyst-y. But they’ve both had breast cancer surgery and I don’t wanna. I gets my mammogram regular-like. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/18 "2008-03-28T21:41:02Z")
**Ivylass** - _{{{HEALTH VIBES}}}_ I’m about 6 months past due for mine. With a mother and sister with breast cancer, I really should schedule it. But the place they send me, while all pink and woman-y, is horribly run, with them always hours behind. Last time, I waited for 4 hours, only to be told they were leaving and to reschedule! Believe me, the director heard from me and they got me in the next day right at my rescheduled time! My sister finished her breast cancer treatment about 9 months ago and things are looking good for her. But two cancers in one year when you’re under 50 is not a good sign. StG ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/19 "2008-03-28T23:35:34Z")
_sends good karma, prayers, luck, kismet, etc. over **ivylass** ’s way_ ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064/20 "2008-03-29T00:02:20Z")
**StGermain,** surely there’s somewhere else you can go? **Mama Tiger** , how soon before your regular doctor is back from maternity leave? My friend at work has had biopsies, and she says they can “tag” the cyst now, so the next time something odd shows up, the technician can say, “Oh, we know about that one…moving on.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-you-think-i-was-kidding-about-the-mammograms/443064.md?page=2)