The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

Floss

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Nurse Maggie

I made my decision re mammograms years back - when I had what turned out to be my first and last one. It was part of a mid-life Well Woman Check. I came out of it thinking "Why didnt anyone say they squash your boobs up and it's distinctly painful?". I was genuinely puzzled how come no-one had ever said as, after all, lots of other women had had them before me. Not very "sisterly" not to let on to the rest of us I felt.

So - considering that that mammogram was done in the private sector/local BUPA hospital and it was as painful as that (ie despite my paying good money for it out of my own pocket) - ie they'd got a vested interest in "not hurting the patient" if they could possibly help it (because she was paying for it) then there is definitely no chance I'd ever have one again and, this time, by people not being paid directly by me.

I have read info. since talking about mammograms can actually cause problems to some women that were due to have good health of themselves in that respect - which rather confirmed my view not to do so. I cant recall the percentage of women experiencing problems precisely because of it and think it was on the low side - but it surprised me that a procedure meant to help you could actually damage you if you were one of the unlucky ones. Hence I shan't feel concerned at the fact of only ever having one mammogram in my life.

Can't count how many I've had...the important thing to me is that the service is available to all and found my mums BC at the age of 73. I would just say though that if blokes had to have their bits squished that way they would soon come up with another method

nursemaggie

I agree Floss but then they probably would not go for the test in the first place.

candlelight_2013

Floss I have always said that, men would find a less painful way of looking at their "bits".

My tumour was only discovered by having a routine mammogram, even the surgeon couldn't feel it. Yes it is painful, but a small price to pay to discover you may have a life threatening disease.

I am 71 now, evidently I am due to have my last mammogram when I am 73, but I can always ask my GP to refer me. Having not been able to feel the tumour, it is reassuring for someone else to check me.

Candlelightx

[Deleted User]

I feel very strongly that I will carry on having mammograms for as long as it is possible to have them. It's like vaccinations and all the other things that are in place for free to give people a better chance of either not contracting serious diseases or flagging up those diseases early enough (hopefully) to have chance of an effective cure. It is a purely personal view but they are available to all and we could all take advantage of those services and perhaps save the NHS some funds by not being emergency admissions. Purely MY view, not reflecting on anyone elses.

Hard_Up_Hester

I had a mammogram a few months back and was told it would be my last as they stop offering them after 65. I don't find the squishing painful, but I have a lack of movement in one shoulder, caused by a broken collarbone , so my shoulder always aches afterwards. I'd also suffer a bit of discomfort willingly if it meant a problem was found earlier.

I fed the cats and watered the houseplants, garden and lawn for the last time today, got home and my phone rang, DD2, could I look after her dog for a few days.
Her next door neighbour is one of those mad hoarder women, the sort you see on TV, well it's so bad the place is over run with rats and now the rats are getting into DD's garage. The pest company have been round and put poison down but DD2's dog is a Jack Russell cross and we are worried that she will catch a poisoned rat so she has come to stay for a week or so.

Hubby's friend is finding comfort in the dog as she likes to sit on his knee, he is totally devastated and she keeps going to him for a cuddle.

DD1 has also phoned and asked me to sit with her children on Friday as she has a Dr's appointment and doesn't want to take them all with her.

So that's my week sorted.

nursemaggie

When do you get a holiday Hester?

I needed those new tablets for my hay fever worked straight away.

camelot1001

Glad the tablets are helping nursemaggie and you are over your shock Mrs LW.

Having had 2 close friends diagnosed with breast cancer through routine screening I will go until I'm not invited any more. The same with bowel screening which I find far more unpleasant than the breast screening, my DH lost his battle with bowel cancer at 43, makes you wonder if reducing the starting age would help save more lives.

First day back at school for me today after 7 weeks off, I think it will be an early night tonight! So much to do tomorrow before the children start on Friday so need to be on the ball.

monnagran

I've had mammograms ever since they started routine tests and I had my last one aged 70. I might have asked to go on having them but since then I have been on the move so never got round to it. If I think I am going to stay here I might see if I can start them again. I have known 3 friends who developed BC after 70. 2 unfortunately didnt make it and the third lived till her 90s.
I am also one who who will take every preventative measure going, which is strange as I am one who will avoid the medical profession like the plague. Perhaps that why.

FairyP: Lyn's suggestion of an LBD sounds good. You will get away with it too, being young. I love black but unfortunately at my age if I wear too much of it I look like a poster for "Keep Death Off The Road."

Back to the Olympics.

x

Softstuff

Nursemaggie, we'll know better for the next afternoon tea I also wonder if we could skip the return journeys for pots of tea and just get our own urn instead :rotfl:

Though I'm dreading the mammogram, I'm going as soon as I'm able. It's allowed if you're over 40 here, encouraged from 50. It's likely to be very painful for me, big boobs, dense tissue, but knowing what MIL went through with 2 lots of aggressive breast cancer and a double mastectomy, it's a walk in the park by comparison. Like any procedure there are false positives, but I'd rather risk that than leave a tumour to develop. I certainly can't imagine turning one down on the basis of a bit of pain. I'll also happily go for the routine colonoscopies they have here. And I'm reminded I'm due a pap smear too....

milasavesmoney

All the family had to have whooping cough vaccinations prior to Babygirl's birth at DD1s insistence.
So many are choosing not to have their children vaccinated here in the US that our state saw an outbreak of pertussis. Other states have had measle outbreaks. Just stupid, as far as I'm concerned, for this to be happening!