Mammograms
petra_gw
18 years ago
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thirdfrt
18 years agopetra_gw
18 years agoRelated Discussions
mammograms leading to tumors that don't need treatment??
Comments (5)I think a better title for this thread would be Mammograms find tumors that don't need treatment; they don't create the tumors that don't need treatment. But once found, the tumors wind up being treated anyway. As who wouldn't want to treat diagnosed breast cancer? Even though treament for breast cancer is not without its own serious risks, not to mention fear, stress, unpleasantness, and until we get the Affordable Care Act in place, risk of being excluded from other care because of having a "pre-existing condition." Unfortunately it's impossible to tell which tumors seen on mammos are ones that need treatment, and which ones if left to their own devices will spontaneously regress and disappear. For various reasons I have generally spaced my mammograms out longer than the usual "Get One Every Year" exhortation. I have done that for years and was interested awhile ago to read that there was at least some scientific basis to back that up. I get a mammo about every 2.5 years, so. I am 62 and have discussed with my gyn when I can stop both mammogram and Pap smears. She says not right now, but perhaps in a decade, or thereabout. I started mammography at 35 when they first became available but have only had 6 or 7 in the interim. At first annual exams weren't recommended, only every five years or so. Then it changed to the annual recommendation. Now I see that it's recommended to start later, which makes a lot of sense to me, too. Of course with if I had a family hx, felt a suspicious lump, had a genetic or medical risk profile, I'd get them more often. OTOH, I know of people who've had years of clean, annual, mammos then discovered a lump two months after their mammo and been dx with breast cancer. And I hear many women say they get a mammogram to prevent breast cancer which, of course, is simply not accurate. I'm glad we are starting to think more about how much care, treatment, and even, screening is the best mix. IMO, we are overly-fixated on ill health and disease in this country right now. I don't think that's a healthy way to live. L....See MoreDiagnostic Mammogram - Update
Comments (17)Pammyfay -- I've been reading about the 3-D (employs tomography?). This was billed as a 'diagnostic' mammogram. I think it's just a more highly defined image than the 'regular' mammogram. I had to have a doctor's order for the diagnostic. I don't know if the 3-D is even offered within the hospital/medical conglomerate where I am a customer...er, patient. I'm for anything that will cut down on all the false positives. Frankly, I was thrilled to have an all-clear called on *any* mammogram. It has happened so rarely in my life -- all false positives. I sat beside two beautifully groomed ladies in the waiting area at the hospital. After listening to them speak what sounded like a foreign language for a few minutes, I realized they were English! They were from Manchester, and the mother was over for a visit with her daughter. We surmounted the 'language barrier' for a nice chat. I said I thought this whole mammogram thing was overkill for women with no personal or genetic history of breast cancer. The mother said she hadn't had a check required for six years. This isn't a routine annual test in the UK, and is not suggested at all once a woman with no history or presenting problem is over seventy....See MoreSpeaking of mammograms--what does this mean?
Comments (7)I think preventative and diagnostic mammograms are different. I think the diagnostic ones are when a physician thinks there's a problem, while the preventative ones are just screening. It could be something as simple as the diagnostic ones no longer being covered as a preventative service, and so they will be subject to the deductible when previously they weren't. Preventative screenings should still be covered fully but I would definitely call and ask. My more cynical side thinks this is the beginning of Trump dismantling anything with Obama's name on it at the cost of the health of Americans. We will slowly see protections revoked, coverage decreased and premiums increased....See MoreMammograms after 70
Comments (12)jewels it is good that your doctor knows about the low incidents of real Alzheimer's as most doctors do not seem to know. One cavate with the cholesterol medication. I am one of a small percentage that taking them induces what my doctor at that time called pseudo-dementia. I have taken between 5-8 different ones and eventually they all have the same effect. There would be days that I could want something. Stand up from my chair and it took some deep thinking to remember why I stood up. By the time I reached the door to the other room I could not remember. While medications for cholesterol help millions what happens to me goes beyond the "mental fuzziness" that is listed as a side effect. Once I stop the medication it takes a couple of months before I am fully functioning....See MorePeaBee4
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