shiels

Must be the time of year for this as this has been on my mind too, for last couple of weeks, so thanks for asking the question C x

Cheetah7

Mammograms are free in WA for women aged 40 years or over - you have your first one done at 40 years old and that is with no history of breast cancer.

I am due to have my first one in two weeks time, have no history of the disease and will be paying nothing.

jad n rich

Ladies please put a few $$$ away in case these initial free check ups show up any abnormalities.

Had a blip recently and the wait for a specialist on medicare was estimated to be 2 years So went private.... all done in 10 days! can you imagine not knowing if something was wrong for 2 years no thanks private was only option.

$130 for the specialist, $136 for the ultrasound and around the $1000 (havent got all the bills yet) for a 15 minute procedure. All OK and medicare gave a grand rebate of about $150. Thankfully private health cover is picking up the tab for the rest ( except $200).

Free tests are great, but the appointments and procedures that come after them are certainly not free in most cases.

moneypenny20

Glad you're ok. 2 years would freak the majority of us out

jad n rich

Yes I'm fine thanks, just one of those girly check ups where they find something that needs a bit more investigation, needed checking ASAP so the Doc saying
2 year wait would be a worry if your not lucky enough to have a spare $1500 bucks handy

Loved the private hospital rooms, they wanted the money up front, credit card please as you go in, must have a few patients do a runner after the op

shiels

Rang our local doctors today and they charge $85 for a pap smear and a breast exam or $85 for just a pap smear, how does that work then!!!!!

C x

moneypenny20

Sounds like a BOGOF to me. Is your doctors my doctors? I was charged normal doctors appointment when I had my pap and then got $30 something back. Never asked about the breast exam though.

shiels

My docs is yours i think, not that ive been yet (touch wood!!)............ the one at our closest shopping centre?

C x

moneypenny20

That's the one. One of the docs there is a very good gyny/obs man. Book in with him. Still confused about the cost though.

Cheetah7

God that is scary the thought of a two year wait.

I wonder what the procedure would be if we didnt have insurance and needed an urgent biopsy and it proved to be cancerous?

Although my friends friend in the UK was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed a double mastectomy and on the day of her op, they cancelled it as they had gone 'over budget'.

It had spread to her lymph nodes. She got her local MP involved and it was rebooked for 2 weeks later but she was made to feel very guilty and told of cutbacks and 'not enough money'.

She doesnt have long to live but I find it appalling that a terminally ill womans operation was cancelled due to going over budget when I know for a fact that hospital managers are the real ones that need the cutbacks - with their over inflated salary.

We have private medical insurance thank god but as you say, if you dont then it is really hard.

glittababe

how do you think I feel, I KNOW everyone around here , so opted for my good friend to do it!!! She rummaged around for ages before declaring "thats it, I need the bigger speculum you're really retroverted (womb titled backwards) - ummm charming! I talk about all kinds of crap when I'm doing them, school hols,kids etc Its like a trip to hairdressr when I'm involved - only I don't cut hair (no comments please). Luckily I don't have to do it that often now (2 days a fortnight)!

Wilgar

This is good advice as a friend of mine recently had the same thing happen. She ended up having a double mastectomy privately within 2 weeks of her initial consultation. She would have found having to wait a long time and very stressful to say the least.She is doing really well and just had 40th b/day!

BTW I went today for pap/breast check etc.Went to local Dr`s surgery and did not have to pay a thing.Oh and the lady dr. kept chatting about general stuff throughout .Just as well `cos its such an undignified proceedure! Feel sorry for the medical staff who have to undertake this `job` daily. Yuk!!!!!!!!perform

Cheetah7

Would they really make a person wait ages if they had breast cancer?

Some cancers are so aggressive that a person wouldnt have 2 years or even several months. My Mum had 6 weeks.

Wilgar

TBH I`m not sure as it all happened so quickyly.No probabaly would not have had to wait 2 yrs but she most certainly would not have been able to have it all done so quickly . I`m so sorry about your mother.

moggs1980

Hi LADIES WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP ME .. I have lived here in aus for 6 months ( LABRADOR ) and im in need of a pap test I am 24 and has never had one .. i dont want to go to a male doc can any one advise me on where to go ....PLEASE !!!!
hope to hear from some one soon ... thank you xx