I'm several years out of date with my mammo scheduling.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.
There’s so much to unpack in your reply. Gaahh, yes! Finding a doctor is only slightly less difficult than actually getting in to see one. If it’s any consolation, Susan Sheppard McGuillicuddy in town is the best mammo experience I’ve had (I know, not saying much, but at least they’ve never sent me someone else’s results. Yes. That happened elsewhere in town.) Best thing about them is they generally get me in and out when they say they will.
As for the issue of lopping off altogether, I hope you start writing more about that. X
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.
Also here are the recommendations from the American Cancer Society, dated Dec 2023: "Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year. Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms."
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!
What I meant was the abuse from the mammograms will cause the cancer. I'm sure there are some who will have breast cancer despite the mammograms but I don't trust our for profit "healthcare" system.
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.
Oh, the things we write in a snit! 💈Have you ever had an MRI recommended? I only learned that was a thing while looking into this. But from what I saw it’s actually less accurate so I’m really unsure about that. Weirdly, it’s cheaper!
If you have familial breast cancer, it's a good idea to get your mammogram. I'm sure you know that already, but I thought I'd give a tiny shove in that direction.
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.
Yeah, that’s the thing. I was at exam 2 and they asked something about where I’d had the procedure before and I was like, uh, HERE. It’s such a conundrum. I crave their expertise, but they don’t seem to be paying too much attention. Which leaves me with dr google, which I try to avoid but then this stuff happens. Gaaahhh
I know doctors and nurses are overworked and the American healthcare system just sucks and health insurance doesn't help because they only care about making money despite their declarations they are here to help you navigate your health, but it's hard to trust them when things like this happen. Especially because my past has had a lot of hard to diagnose or treat ailments. I really need my doctors to fight for me and all other aspects of the system are fighting them tooth and nail.
If you are not yet 55, then your doctor would not inform you of the changes. Mammograms are suggested yearly until age 55. After that, it's every other year unless women would prefer to go every year. (Some women do prefer that.)
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.
There’s so much to unpack in your reply. Gaahh, yes! Finding a doctor is only slightly less difficult than actually getting in to see one. If it’s any consolation, Susan Sheppard McGuillicuddy in town is the best mammo experience I’ve had (I know, not saying much, but at least they’ve never sent me someone else’s results. Yes. That happened elsewhere in town.) Best thing about them is they generally get me in and out when they say they will.
As for the issue of lopping off altogether, I hope you start writing more about that. X
Did you know I moved to NC?
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.
My biopsy was on Valentine’s Day! Small world, Kathleen!
“High and tight, like a military haircut.” Love it. Fans of Julia, don’t miss her kitchen at the Smithsonian.
Ooh! I’ll have to check that out!
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.
WOW, that is good to hear! What state are you in?
I had the mammogram in Burbank California.
Also here are the recommendations from the American Cancer Society, dated Dec 2023: "Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year. Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms."
I included different guidelines but saw those too
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.
Yeah, I’m worried about skipping too. But I’m gonna. Those calcifications are caused by trauma to the breast too. Hello, vice grip of death machine?!
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!
It really feels like abuse. Invented by men, naturally
What I meant was the abuse from the mammograms will cause the cancer. I'm sure there are some who will have breast cancer despite the mammograms but I don't trust our for profit "healthcare" system.
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.
Oh, the things we write in a snit! 💈Have you ever had an MRI recommended? I only learned that was a thing while looking into this. But from what I saw it’s actually less accurate so I’m really unsure about that. Weirdly, it’s cheaper!
If you have familial breast cancer, it's a good idea to get your mammogram. I'm sure you know that already, but I thought I'd give a tiny shove in that direction.
You’ve made your thoughts known thanks
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.
Right?! So-called “they” really cannot be accurate. And much as I hate to put drs in the profit mongering camp, 🏕️ I have seen some things…
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.
Yeah, that’s the thing. I was at exam 2 and they asked something about where I’d had the procedure before and I was like, uh, HERE. It’s such a conundrum. I crave their expertise, but they don’t seem to be paying too much attention. Which leaves me with dr google, which I try to avoid but then this stuff happens. Gaaahhh
I know doctors and nurses are overworked and the American healthcare system just sucks and health insurance doesn't help because they only care about making money despite their declarations they are here to help you navigate your health, but it's hard to trust them when things like this happen. Especially because my past has had a lot of hard to diagnose or treat ailments. I really need my doctors to fight for me and all other aspects of the system are fighting them tooth and nail.
If you are not yet 55, then your doctor would not inform you of the changes. Mammograms are suggested yearly until age 55. After that, it's every other year unless women would prefer to go every year. (Some women do prefer that.)
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!
RIGHT?! Also, don’t you just love Julia Child?
♥️😂yes, Ill take that for you too! And no, insurance does NOT cover sorry to say.