I'm several years out of date with my mammo scheduling. Between moving to a new state and my own body dysmorphia, it's not something I've ever been thrilled to do. If I had the money, I'd be happy to get rid of the potential issue all together - but that's a whole 'nother conversation.
Since my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, I feel guilty for avoiding the topic about myself when I remind her she has to follow up with her oncologist. Thankfully, she is on the other side and has been cancer-free long enough to be off the tamoxifin.
Don't you hate looking for new doctors? No fun having crappy insurance, existing health issues, and are a living and breathing out queer in a red state.
I’m 69 and just had my yearly mammogram on Valentine’s Day. Like every other mammo I’ve had in the last 50+ years, the results came back yesterday revealing the same negative (positive?) diagnosis: no problems at all, see ya next year.
I think I’ll find something far more pleasant to do with my boobs next Valentine’s Day…and for all those to come.
Just wanted to tell you that I had a mammogram two days ago in and they had a machine with those new curved plates you mentioned and guess what--MY MAMMOGRAM DID NOT HURT. I kid you not. I have very dense breasts; i'm always called back; I've had DCIS and biopsies, surgery and 6 weeks of radiation. It's all terrible. But the new plates on the mammogram machine? Unbelievable. And get this: I did not get called back this year! They took exactly 4 pictures--no retakes. All good (fingers crossed) for now.
I went for mammograms a couple of times, hated it and thought of course if they pummel and radiate your breasts every year eventually they'll find cancer, so I quit. The machines are expensive I guess and they need to pay for them somehow. BTW- love how you did your report on Julia Child. Very funny!
Yes, Tit's that time of year for me too. I'm months overdue for what we used to refer to as a titty sandwich. Probably not a good idea in my case with mother and sister both dead from breast cancer. I'm so glad you don't call them boobs though. That's such an awful word and makes them sound like mistakes. Which for some of us, perhaps they are. Great post, and I'm envious of that military haircut.
Dense breasts here, too—it’s got to be more than 50 percent of women. What if that’s just how breasts are, mostly? Also radiologists have a strong vested interest in getting us in there as often as possible, to help pay for all the machinery and keep the $$$ coming in, so they should not be making the recommendations about screenings.
I'm in the dense breast camp, too. I also have not been informed of any changes in how often women need mammograms. Color me not surprised. I got a voice mail the other day from my doctor's office about getting my annual pap smear. Except I had a hysterectomy in 2021 and have no had a cervix for 3 years now. A fact they are aware of. If I ever get breast cancer and need my boobs lopped off, I wouldn't be surprised if they kept telling me to get them squished afterwards.
Thanks for injecting some humor into the annual boob squishing delight - yet another delight up there with Pap smears and menopause to add to the joys of being female! And as for the cost of this potentially life saving test- don’t get me started!
I'm several years out of date with my mammo scheduling. Between moving to a new state and my own body dysmorphia, it's not something I've ever been thrilled to do. If I had the money, I'd be happy to get rid of the potential issue all together - but that's a whole 'nother conversation.
Since my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, I feel guilty for avoiding the topic about myself when I remind her she has to follow up with her oncologist. Thankfully, she is on the other side and has been cancer-free long enough to be off the tamoxifin.
Don't you hate looking for new doctors? No fun having crappy insurance, existing health issues, and are a living and breathing out queer in a red state.
I’m 69 and just had my yearly mammogram on Valentine’s Day. Like every other mammo I’ve had in the last 50+ years, the results came back yesterday revealing the same negative (positive?) diagnosis: no problems at all, see ya next year.
I think I’ll find something far more pleasant to do with my boobs next Valentine’s Day…and for all those to come.
“High and tight, like a military haircut.” Love it. Fans of Julia, don’t miss her kitchen at the Smithsonian.
Just wanted to tell you that I had a mammogram two days ago in and they had a machine with those new curved plates you mentioned and guess what--MY MAMMOGRAM DID NOT HURT. I kid you not. I have very dense breasts; i'm always called back; I've had DCIS and biopsies, surgery and 6 weeks of radiation. It's all terrible. But the new plates on the mammogram machine? Unbelievable. And get this: I did not get called back this year! They took exactly 4 pictures--no retakes. All good (fingers crossed) for now.
Yup, dense breasts. I have skipped a few years of mammos here and there bc of the radiation (also not in my family) but I do so with some paranoia.
I went for mammograms a couple of times, hated it and thought of course if they pummel and radiate your breasts every year eventually they'll find cancer, so I quit. The machines are expensive I guess and they need to pay for them somehow. BTW- love how you did your report on Julia Child. Very funny!
Yes, Tit's that time of year for me too. I'm months overdue for what we used to refer to as a titty sandwich. Probably not a good idea in my case with mother and sister both dead from breast cancer. I'm so glad you don't call them boobs though. That's such an awful word and makes them sound like mistakes. Which for some of us, perhaps they are. Great post, and I'm envious of that military haircut.
Dense breasts here, too—it’s got to be more than 50 percent of women. What if that’s just how breasts are, mostly? Also radiologists have a strong vested interest in getting us in there as often as possible, to help pay for all the machinery and keep the $$$ coming in, so they should not be making the recommendations about screenings.
I'm in the dense breast camp, too. I also have not been informed of any changes in how often women need mammograms. Color me not surprised. I got a voice mail the other day from my doctor's office about getting my annual pap smear. Except I had a hysterectomy in 2021 and have no had a cervix for 3 years now. A fact they are aware of. If I ever get breast cancer and need my boobs lopped off, I wouldn't be surprised if they kept telling me to get them squished afterwards.
Thanks for injecting some humor into the annual boob squishing delight - yet another delight up there with Pap smears and menopause to add to the joys of being female! And as for the cost of this potentially life saving test- don’t get me started!