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Mon 10 Apr, 2006 08:50 pm
I hate to admit it, but while I was once extremely methodical
about getting my mammogram done every year, I began to
lapse. On the GOOD side, I DID improve in self breast exam,
HOWEVER, when I went for my mammogram I found out I had
missed FIVE WHOLE YEARS!!!!
(I go to a mobile mammogram unit and there is a REASON for
this. The only thing THIS radiologist reads all of the time are our
mammograms, this then becomes his/ her area of expertise)
I was like sitting on edge, waiting for that letter to come in the
mail and when it did, and it was FINE...I posted it on my
refrigerator just like a kid brought a drawing from school 
SO COME ON LADIES ....LET'S HEAR IT. WHO'S BEEN SLACKING
IN THE MAMMOGRAM DEPARTMENT?? Maybe if you tell on yourself,
you will be more likely to get up whatever it takes to
JUST DO IT.
Remember next to skin cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause
of cancer related deaths among women in this country. HOWEVER
there are quite a few things that
INCREASE YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER, SUCH AS:
1. A woman who hasn't had any children, or had your 1st child
when you were over 30 years old: your risk is 2X - 3X higher.
2. A woman who has a mom or sister diagnosed with
breast cancer has increased risk.
3. A woman who began menstruating early & hits menopause
late has increased risk - BUT you can decrease your risk
by having your ovaries removed before menopause.
4. A biopsy of non-cancer breast disease & dense breast
tissue & benign hyperplasia( a lump that is not cancer)
increases your risk
5. There hasn't been enough study on oral contraceptives.
I WONDER WHY medical research (mostly male) aren't
into breast cancer like they are prostate cancer.
6. AFTER menopause, breast cancer risk increases with weight
& body mass, circa 1990, and they call this a recent study???
A 1993 study showed that women who eat a high fat diet
had NO increased incidence of breast cancer.
7. OOPS - THIS should have been #1. Increased AGE equals
increased risk of breast cancer.
8. Drinking alcohol ( 2 to 5 drinks a day) increases your
risk of breast cancer.
9. Currently the studies show that hormone replacement
treatment (IF taken for long term) such as Premarin
& Provera, DOES increase your risk - BUT if you have
no uterus - you can take estrogen alone with no increased
risk of breast cancer. (very strange study)
GENETIC TESTING- IS AVAILABLE FOR VERY HIGH RISK
PATIENTS, however this CAN affect some privacy and
insurance issues/ is a questionable call/ especially if among
the VERY HIGH RISK group.
A. If you have 2 close female relatives with breast or
ovary cancer, you are a high risk
If one close relative = 2x risk
If two close relative = 5x risk
By close relative MEANS your mother, your sister
or your daughter
B. Breast cancer in a relative UNDER 50 years old, puts you
in the very high risk
C. If you have a male relative with breast cancer.
UNPROVEN MYTHS ABOUT BREAST CANCER --YET
Include such notables as:
Underwire bras, breast implants, smoking, pollution, having
an abortion, antipersperants and working night shifts.
Hey!
Just got mine last week.
c'mon everybody...just do it!
I got my first one a few weeks ago.
HEY! It didn't hurt at all!!!
Benign cyst, probably from underwire. That's all. May have it removed, may not.
Would be nice if the Monday after Mothers Day were declare national Mammogram Day so women would have a set time to remind them - kinda like they tied changing fire alarm batteries with daylight savings.
I just scheduled a Manogram.... kinda nervous....
Have mine scheduled for June. Problem is it takes about 6 months for me to get an appointment. I always schedule it immediately following my annual doctor appointment (which you should also go to regularly for other types of screening and just general health reasons). My doctor is very good at reminding me.
Mine is scheduled in a coupla weeks, thank you!
(It's been two years, though.)
Mine's on for December. Chanukah and a Mammogram at St. Elizabeth's.
JUST ANNOUNCED:
Slappy Doo Hoo will be giving all breast exams from this point on.
I accept all health insurances, and if you don't have any insurance, that's fine too.
Do we still have to pay you?
We can repay him by giving him prostate exams.
Er....you can, that is.
Sweet. I was waiting for someone to make that offer.
I was called back for a magnification series and possible ultrasound. This isn't the first time, but it's the first time after five years of 'no change'. Hopefully, we're just establishing a new baseline.
The lady Diane pointed out to me recently that wimmins male associates are often more likely to notice unusual nodes in their boobies than the wimmins theirselves.
Not once has anybody, friend/family/doctor spoken to me about getting a mammogram yet they harp on about smear tests which make me want to slit my wrists at the thought.
I dont think having a mammogram would bother me.
material girl- It is important to have a pap smear. In the hands of a good doctor, the test is only minimally annoying, and only a tiny bit painful, for maybe a second. The problem is that for many women, there is an aversive psychological component to lying on a table with one's legs spread apart.
Think of it this way. No matter how distressing, the peace of mind that a negative test brings far outweighs the momentary annoyance. And, if the test IS positive, dealing with it immediately might just save the person's life.
Christ, now your telling me its going to hurt!!
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