Better health

By JJ

May 18, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

I get one every year on my birthday. I have been doing this ever since I turned 40.

By Noelle

May 18, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Timely question. I just had my first mammogram yesterday, at age 38 because I have three risk factors: family history (mother), not having been pregnant, and excess weight. A mammogram likely saved my mother’s life, so I will have one every year for the rest of my life.

By not blonde

May 18, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

I didn’t go for the longest time. Then about 14 years ago, I had an accident that resulted in me having to see the docotr. I had a new insurance company and doctor and they required a physical. Both my mammagram and pap smear came back abnormal. I ended up spending the next five years going to an oncologist. Things are fine now. But no one is invincible. Get the rests yearly and keep peace of mind.

By one bad experience

May 18, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Guilty of neglecting this crucial test the last few yrs. Despite having minimal risk factors (except never having children and fibrocystic) I have obediently gotten then annually since about age 40 with no problem. But last time I had a bad experience. I had to re-do and it turned out there were calcifications; not life-threatening but they can get in the way of accurate future readings, so it was recommended that I get them removed. Ok, not knowing what I was getting into I had the procedure done. Big mistake. The sanitized little video they have you watch just prior did not prepare me for the reality. Painful and invasive test where you lie in very awkward position face-down on table for a very long time (real bad for low back), area anesthetized, HUGE hollow needle slammed into your breast, calcifications cut out one by one, bloody and awful. In fact I bled on my clothes driving home. Not to mention the nonstop invoice flurry (even tho paid by insurance) for months afterwards. I hear now that better procedures are being developed and guess am sort of waiting.

By Perkle

May 18, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the age of 34. I get one every 6 months for 5 years and then once a year after that. Before my diagnosis I was thinking I wouldn’t get one until I was at least 40 because I didn’t seem to be at risk. I would highly encourage every woman to have one. It doesn’t take that long and yes it hurts a little, but it’s worth it. If you have family history try to get one earlier in life if you can.

By Deb

May 18, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I’ve only missed one year since I had my first one at 40. A few years ago, I had one scheduled the same day that I found out my older sister had a malignant lump in her breast. That was a real shakeup so I get them done faithfully every year.

By Kanna

May 18, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

I had one about a year ago because the physician felt a lump. I had a mammogram and then and ultrasound. Once they saw something on the ultrasound I had to have a biopsy. Then they said everything looks fine and to come back in six months to follow up with another mammogram. NOT!! It was scary and I don’t want to go back.

By anyone know about this?

May 18, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Oh ya - just remembered what I wanted to say before - and this could be from an interest group with a bias: have heard recently that, much like surgery, having a mammogram can spread around the cancerous cells if there are any. Does anyone else know more about this?

By Robin

May 18, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Ladies,

Don’t put this off! I am 42 years old, and must have a lumpectomy on Monday.

Don’t skip your yearly mammogram. It could save your life.

By Lauren

May 18, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

I had my first mammogram last year, at 30 years old. Although I literally blacked out during one of the views (the nurse had to catch me and lay me on the stretcher for a bit), I intend to get one every year. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 49, despite normal mammograms. She died 3 years later. Even if a group of doctors came out and said they’re useless…I would still endure the discomfort. I refuse to turn down the chance to be proactive in my breast health.

By itsokay

May 18, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

I’m putting mine off this year. I’ve taken one since 1994 and I was in my 30ies then. I’ve been negative every year and I don’t believe I needed to have one this year. Next year maybe..

By PJ

May 18, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

I just started getting mine last year and although they are very uncomfortable and I don’t have a family history of any form of cancer, I still plan on getting the exam every year. But, I think the problem with most women, is they are not properly informed as to exactly how uncomfortable and painful these exams are, and once they find out on their own, they are discouraged about going back to get another one. To say this exam is uncomfortable is an understatment. It really is more to it than that.

By jimsmom

May 18, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

I had my double mastectomy/reconstruction on Feb.7 at the age of 44. From now on I will have MRI’s annually to screen for any recurrence (even with a double mastectomy, no surgeon can get every single solitary breast tissue cell. Yes, mammagrams can be painful, but I would rather have done that yearly than have to endure months to a year of chemotherapy and radiation. Because my cancer was caught very early, I avoided chemo. I am healing well from my surgery and have the promise of a full, health life. Please get your mammograms

By Feli

May 18, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

April 7, 2005 my life changed. I found the lump in my breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time I was 39 years old. Now I’m 41 and can’t go to the doctor because I no longer have insurance, because I loss my job. I’m blessed that I found the lump when I did, because I don’t know what I would have done if I had found it now. Self breast exams and mammograms are both important. If anyone knows where I can go to get a low-cost or free mammogram please let me know.

By JustMe

May 18, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Ugh - I just turned 40 on Wednesday, which is depressing enough in & of itself….and to have this to potentially look forward to every year - blech.

Can any of you tell me…is it more painful/uncomfortable for large breasted women or small breasted women?

Somehow this seems like another ploy from the male population to make womens lives more difficult than theirs - hair & make-up, heels, stockings, child-bearing, cycles, hot flashes…….don’t we have enough to deal with without having to have our boobs squished between two metal plates like a panini in a sandwich press every year?

By Elizabeth

May 18, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

If men had to have their you-know-whats smushed between two plates, you’d bet your last dollar they’d come up with a less traumatic, more comfortable test. But women apparently aren’t worth the effort.

By there's hope - better tech coming

May 18, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

JustMe you crack me up, thanks for the afternoon chuckle (panini sandwich). LOL! I sometimes think about, what if the power goes out, there’s a fire, etc. I think we can all take heart that newer, better (and less uncomfortable) technology is at hand. Thankfully, it’s never been that painful for me but have heard it’s quite an ordeal for some. Can you imagine what it must be like for men who have to get them? Just thinking about it doesn’t sound too pleasant.

By Ms. Jones

May 18, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Justme You are funny. I was terrified to get my first mammo because I just thought for sure it would be painful. I am somewhat large in that department too, and let me tell you, I cannot believe I put it off as long as I did. It didn’t hurt me at all, and I have a VERY low threshold for pain. I just keep reminding myself “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure”. But everyone is different with their pain levels…… Please don’t let that deter you from the exam. The women performing the mammos know what they are doing, and are quite gentle. I had my first one done in Northside Hospital’s Mobile Mammography unit. Now, it’s nothing……yea they smoosh ya, but its “preventative maintence”…..Take a friend or two, that helps!!! Good luck…..but PLEASE go have one done..

By cat

May 18, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

I have been getting them since 1996. I watched my mom die a horrifed death from breast cancer. She lived 5 years in pure agony and hell. Never got better. She was 56 years old when she died. I have had two lumps removed since then. Nothing in the world would or could keep me from getting mine. My mom had not had one in 8 years.

Rest in Peace my sweet mama :-)

Baby Girl

By DJ

May 18, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

My mother just went to get her mammogram and she came back saying she wouldn’t go for another five years. Her mammogram cost her around 600 dollars (with insurance!), which is a lot to pay for a single mother. I told her I would help pay to get her mammogram every year because I believe it is worth it. However, the ACS needs to understand that fewer women will get this life-saving exam if costs continue to rise. Something needs to be done about it…

By Leen

May 18, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

I think mammograms are torture for small breasted thin women, such as myself. I get slammed up against metal until I bruise. I’ve been told that thin people are the most difficult to do the procedure on. However, I am in a high risk group, and have had numerous biopsies done. I go every six months. In Sept. I’ll start the MRI’s, which I hope will replace the mammogram. No way around it though, I have three kids, and want to see them grow up.

By catlady

May 18, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Mammograms are also torture for large-breasted women, Leen. Take something large and compress it into a 1/4 inch pancake. However, having a breast removed is WAAYY more painful.

I started mammograms 15 years ago when I turned 40 and have never missed a time. It is my Christmas gift to me, and to my children.

By catlady

May 18, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

I found that the stickies they used to use to denote right and left were as painful as the mammogram (removing the stickies, I mean). I am SURE a man invented that glue! I would have loved to stick and remove it from a man’s ——-.

Do it, ladies! It is not nearly as bad or long as giving birth, and then you are DONE for a year!

So saying, my mom had her regular mammogram and it was normal and 6 weeks later she found the lump herself. It was malignant, so she had the breast removed. So it is not foolproof! But do it anyway!

By Lucille Willoughby

May 18, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

I dunno, maybe the fact a huge chunk of America’s working and middle class doesn’t have decent health insurance might have somethign to do with it. That crap’s not free, and its certainly not cheap.

By sue

May 21, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

People, ask your doctor about new technology. You can get breast thermography in the Atlanta area, no smushing of the breasts, detects tumors earlier than standard mammograms because it visualizes the blood vessels supplying the tumors. I don’t know about pricing, but it is definitely a more sensitive and less painful test.

By Lenore DeLibero

May 21, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

I wonder,if our goverment wives have problems in receiving GOOD healthcare. Its truly amazing that someone who worked all their life, and now lost there healthcare insurance, can’t receive healthcare from our goverment! Our politican have no problem giving themselves raises, like they really deserve it. Why not give that money to people with no healthcare insurance ????

By Noelle

May 21, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t able to post this over the weekend when I saw comments mentioning the cost of screening tests. The CDC has a program that provides free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests. To find out if you qualify for a free or low-cost mammogram or Pap test and where to get screened, call (404) 657-6611.

Planned Parenthood also offers free or low-cost pelvic exams and Pap tests.

By Tina

June 1, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

@Feli:

Go to www.komenatlanta.org (Susan G. Komen for the Cure Atlanta) and click on Resource Guide. It outlines, by county, where you can go in the Metro Area to receive health services, specifically low-cost or no-cost mammograms. There are a lot of resources out there that Komen funds through its local grant process.