It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

[Scorp]

Sylvie,

Get rid of that doctor.

What type of insurance do you have?

There is usually a phone number on the back of your insurance card and you can speak to a representative and ask them to suggest a doctor within your network and your location.

Secondly, there was a lot of controversy about the age when to get a mammogram. I had my first one at 17 because there was a lump under my arm. Thankfully it was benign. People thought that was insane and too young to have one done. However, breast cancer runs in my family and I'm susceptible to lumps, fibroids, etc. So, I would go regularly. For the last 2 years, I would have to have mammograms and ultrasounds every 6 months (if you can believe that) because of what appeared to be abnormal findings. Just this past year, I was told having them done annually is now sufficient enough.

You need to be your own advocate and sometimes doctors with these particular so-called bedside manners are somewhat of a red flag. You need to be comfortable with your doctors.

Let me know how you make out if you're able to find another doctor an again, the type of health insurance you have.

I usually do my own research when I get a doctor referral and check their credentials. I check to see if they've had malpractice suits, etc.

Good Luck and let me know if I can help.

Originally Posted by sylvie

i hear a lot of different ages from people, my doctor doesn't seem too worried about my starting to get them regularly.. what worries me with her though is she isn't a doctor that seems completely interested in what she does.. you make an appt and she's rushing you out for the next person to get in.. (no new doctor openings for awhile now lol)

so if i told her i wanted to go for one, she'd help arrange that but, she'll never suggest , sadly..so just curious..what age did you all starting getting them regularly, and how regularly do you get it done.. it's not something that's in my family, however, would still be good to do i'm sure.. i always do checks on myself, of course.. i have for a few years now..felt something suspicious twice now, but hasn't been anything to worry about (my doctor says, lol)

i'm 37 years old , will be 38 in feb.. so just curious when do you start getting it checked regularly and how regularly.. ?♥

[sylvie]

i'm in canada, so we have medicare here..
so when another doctor opens up for new patients i'll surely be jumping on board, i call regularly to find out if any doctors have new openings.. my father has been as well..

thanks so much for answering.. lately i've been feeling like i 'should' be getting them regularly, not just "if" i feel i need something checked.. my doctor just seems more interested in getting as many people in her office as possible, no bedside manner at all and i'm not comfortable with her whatsoever.. i always feel like i'm inconveniencing her, actually..

i have an appointment coming up, so i'll mention to her about that too, and get something set up.. much thanks Scorp!

[Julie]

I have been going since I was 30 (every six months) and I am now 48.

I had a partial mastectomy and go -- 1x a year for a Mammo and MRI and 2x a year for an Ulstrasound.

There is pain when the machine presses down on your breast -That pain is nothing compared to the treatment or the recovery of a mastectomy or the pain you will experience from dying from breast cancer --

I do not mean to be so harsh - but those are the facts.

Be lucky you have health care and can go. There are women in this country and others, that will never have the opportunity to feel the pain or save their breast or their lives.

Julie

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by InfiniteFemme

Be lucky you have health care and can go. There are women in this country and others, that will never have the opportunity to feel the pain or save their breast or their lives.

Julie

:-(

that makes me really sad.. thank you Julie for your information, i will definitely get on it.. and although harsh, it's honest and i'm very appreciative for your words. i've been feeling i should be doing more, lately..so you've both helped me tremendously.. thank you!

[Julie]

Originally Posted by sylvie

:-(

that makes me really sad.. thank you Julie for your information, i will definitely get on it.. and although harsh, it's honest and i'm very appreciative for your words. i've been feeling i should be doing more, lately..so you've both helped me tremendously.. thank you!

Sylvie...

I hope it also makes you angry and you are so very welcome.

Get on it TODAY! Make your appointment. ALSO... I demand (seriously) to speak to the radiologist at every appointment I go to. I do not want to hear from a technician that I will hear from them or from my doctor in a couple days. It's not happening - I am not going home.

I will not LEAVE that office until after (not with MRI) I hear my scans are clean or dirty.

Julie who expects to hear you have an appointment.

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by InfiniteFemme

Sylvie...

I hope it also makes you angry and you are so very welcome.

Get on it TODAY! Make your appointment. ALSO... I demand (seriously) to speak to the radiologist at every appointment I go to. I do not want to hear from a technician that I will hear from them or from my doctor in a couple days. It's not happening - I am not going home.

I will not LEAVE that office until after (not with MRI) I hear my scans are clean or dirty.

Julie who expects to hear you have an appointment.

Julie, thanks so much..
yes, i do have an appointment next week with my doctor, so i'll be going for one very soon.. as soon as i have 'that' appointment i will let you know, it shouldn't be long after.. when 'i' decide i need something looked into, she's good about getting me there, at least that.. thank you for your tips, as well.. ♥ they're very much appreciated!

i will be very good about going for the mammograms now.. ♥ i have an upcoming ultrasound for a uterine fibroid tumor, and i guess it's got me thinking deeply about taking care of me in all ways necessary.. hence the questions here..

Delish, thank you so much for your response as well. i do have a family history of cancer as well, so i knew this was or would be necessary .. no breast cancer in my family, however.. but still good to be checked.. and so sorry about your ex :-( my gosh.. and 50 years old? that's actually really scary, angers me and saddens me all the same time..we definitely do have to do what we can to take care of ourselves..

Sweet, great information, i hope it helps someone here too, ty for posting it! ♥

JustJo, sending you positive thoughts your way! (((huggz)))

[Sparkle]

A new study on HRT further confirms findings that HRT increases not only the incidence of breast and lung cancer, but also deaths from breast cancer.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010...er?ft=1&f=1128

[MysticOceansFL]

I so agree my mother had bone and lung cancer and after she was told she had both she lived six years more. She is the only one who has or had cancer of any type in my family she passed away at the age of 42 , and I think of her often I guess thats why I want to pass my exams so much for phelbotomy and then continue with studies so I can work in a lab for CDC, to help others.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

A new study on HRT further confirms findings that HRT increases not only the incidence of breast and lung cancer, but also deaths from breast cancer.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010...er?ft=1&f=1128

It is also important to note - that this would include natural homeopathic remedies. My physician who practices both eastern/western and complementary medicine, will not allow me to take certain vitamins. I am sorry, but my brain is not functioning and I cannot remember the "no-no" remedies. But, being high risk for breast cancer and a previous history of tumors -- It places those of us (even homeopathic hrt) at even greater risk.

Also - ask about the BRCA gene test - especially if you have a large female population of breast cancer in your family. Does not mean you would choose to remove your breasts - but at least make you more aware and will put you in the higher risk category, which is a very good thing, as you will be watched much closer.

Julie