toopie28

Do you ladies have yearly mammograms?

I ask because I was forced (I say forced cuz my doctor kept calling me and bothering me) to have one last year as a "base".

Now I'm not a doctor person and only go once a year to re-up my prescription (which again, my doc won't give me unless I go into see her).

So my friend, who has been sickly all her life, was appalled when I told her I would only go about every 5 yrs.

And when I asked my friends back home (in the UK) NONE of them have ever been for one and they are older than me.

Are they a wee bit paranoid/hypochondriac here? I know that my friend is but again, she's had a history of illness since childhood so I understand why she's at the doctor for every cough.

Just wondered what you guys did.

AmerLisa

How old are you?

Jerseygirl

It depends on your age and family history. I find the US is more into preventative medicine than the UK. Annual physicals, skin screening, annual PAP smears...depending on age/family history mammograms, colonoscopy etc.

Trixie_b

The US recommend them from 40 years +. yearly.

In the UK, I was taught how to check the girls and I do it often, in the shower, etc.

When I had a gynie appointment and they checked my boobs I felt quite violated.

In the UK I think it's 50+ or more often if BC is in your family.

PS, I'm 44 and haven't had one.

toopie28

41 (but 37 to everyone else).

No family history.

My friends in the UK are 46, 48 AND 50 - they've never had one.

toopie28

Yes, that sounds about right 50+.

lisa67

I've had one here in the US every year since I was 40 (I'm 45 now).
I'm quite happy to go once a year if it means early detection..I don't think it's any big deal.

yellowroom

My gynaecologist wants me to do one annually, I'm 43. I've put it off because my mum told me how painful she found them, and we're of a similar build (I'm DD cup size). Strange because I'm the biggest hypochondriac going, so if a doctor offers me a test I'm usually first in line, and I'm happy to get an annual PAP smear. There isn't a family history of pre (or even post) menopausal breast cancer in my family, so it's not like I'm sticking my head in the sand.

Dunno why I've got a thing about this. Perhaps I should just get it over with...

Dorothy

By the time you can feel a lump in your breast it's already fairly large.

Why not just go have a baseline mammogram? If it's all clear then you can discuss having routine ones every 2 or 3 years after until you're past menopause then annually.

And a mammogram shouldn't hurt. It's uncomfortable for a few moments while your breast is squeezed between 2 plastic plates, but it's not painful.

Jan Alaska

My ob/gyn doesn't advocate yearly mammograms, instead she raises awareness in our own bodies, self examination is apparently 70% more effective in finding breast lumps than mammograms. You are more likely to find a lump or abnormality in regular self exams than a once a year mammogram.
I'm 50 and I've had 1 mammogram since being in the states.

AmerLisa

Does your insurance pay for it? Is there a reason you don't want it done? I had my first done about 4 years ago, I haven't went back out of neglect really. But no one is holding a gun to my head to have it done, only I know that I should.

Sally Redux

They push it every year but I think that's too much and several studies have said the same. I go about every 2-3 years.

It's not painful.

scrubbedexpat097

Your choice, do it or not do it.

Mammograms do not "hurt", they are just uncomfortable.
Doesn't matter what size your breasts are, it is uncomfortable for anyone.

Most insurances cover the cost at your yearly well woman exam if you are 40 or over.

Not everyone that is diagnosed with BC has a family history, there are many types of BC.

Self breast exams are important but, as mentioned, by the time you feel a lump it has been there a while and could be a major problem. Mammograms detect them early.

Even women who are well, that never have other problems can get BC, it is an equal opportunity disease and is also not entirely age related either.



Right now BC is destroying the life of someone very close to me, she has spent the last 4 months having chemo and in a few weeks she will be having a complete mastectomy. There is no family history and she never ever felt any lumps, at 50 she had her first mammogram, it was clear. At 55 she had her 2nd one and that was last December when it was detected. Would she be in a better position if she had yearly mammograms? I think so, but she is in the UK and it is not the way they schedule them.



As I said at the start, you either do it or you don't. It is available, it is relatively painless and most times free with insurance and also gives you peace of mind. It could also save your life.

rosario

I quite agree. What harm can it do. I had the xray regularly but am too old now although I can still ask doctor to have it done again. A bit uncomfortable but that is all. Perhaps arrange to have smear test also. With regard to the doctor wanting to see you re prescription then she is just doing her job.

Rete

I was urged at age 35 to get my baseline. I held out until age 42. Guess what? Found cancer on baseline without feeling any lumps by myself or gyn. 22 years later I am cancer free. No history in the family either. Have it done.