Ladies over 40
 

or younger with a family history of breast cancer.... What's your reason for not getting a mammogram done? Yes, there's going got be a poll, hold yer horses.....

I'm definitely voting for the last option.

Been getting squished since I turned 40 (I'm 53 now), since mom has already had three breast cancers (two lumpectomies and one treated with chemo). Mom's family are cancer-magnets (mom had thyroid cancer in her mid 30s, her mother died of uterine cancer, and her dad died of lung cancer), so I'm not taking any chances!

On the positive flip-side, dad's side of the family has a long history of extravagant drinking, eating high-cholesterol foods, smoking, and generally not giving a shit about their health, and they all died well into their 80s with no cancer or cholesterol issues.

I'm hoping I got more of dad's cancer-resistant genes than mom's cancer-prone ones. :cool:

ETA: Regarding the "not covered by insurance" poll response - I have no health coverage, but my state has a breast and cervical cancer program for low income people. I've been on their program for 5-6 years now. If you fall into this category, I urge you to check out your state health programs for low income people - there may be something there for you.

I don't turn 40 till next year, but I've been thinking about getting it done anyway, since my Mum died of cancer. Not breast cancer, but I worry about that all the time.

Do they make as much fuss about pap smears in the US as they do here? To Australian women, breast screening and pap smears are equally important.

Now there's the one I put off because it's so painful.

But I need to get that done sooner, not later. I had made an appointment with a gyno...I rescheduled once, she rescheduled twice...I tried to call for a resched and it was all weird. Since I'm not really excited about having it done, I've used that as a way to avoid it.

Go. Make the appointment and KEEP IT! *shakes finger at IM*

But but but I only had to reschedule once! It was HER!

Actually, this woman was the partner doc to the man who birthed me. He retired some years ago (gosh he may have even passed on since.) My mom really likes her...so I will try again.


I will. :)

Good!

And we'll want pics, of course, or it didn't happen. :D

:lol:

Sure why not?

I admit, I had my first pap smear last year, which was way later (by about 20yrs) than it should have been, but luckily for me it came up clear.

Now that I've had the first one, I'm not so scared of going again. They say every two years unless you have a history in your family, so I'll probably go early next year for my second one ever.

It didn't hurt when I had it done, but the doc that did the last one isn't at our local clinic anymore, so it might be different next time. Time will tell I guess.

Actually, I don't care if I live or die, but that's not the reason why I don't get a mammogram. To be honest, I don't have health insurance, which is part of the reason. And the other reason, I'm just too plain lazy. :blush: I take my mom to enough medical and dental appointments that I don't feel going to more.

Thanks for the reminder. I'd better go before Medicare/Medicaid vanishes. Of course if they found something and Medicaid was gone, I'd die anyhow. Hmm... Maybe I'm better off just not knowing.

What would happen to your nephew, Lola? Also, how come no insurance? You're employed, no? And are mammos not covered on Medicare/Medicaid or are you not entitled? Not trolling, i genuinely don't know about these things.

I'm offering free breast exams to low income women..high income women too, actually..... And middle income....

lola take care of yourself. i don't know what i'd do without my little buddy who checks on me to make sure i'm ok. also, post a picture of the gift i gave you!!! you don't have to wear it. just lay it on the bed and snap a pic. i'm starting to thing you are embarassed