How do all of you feel about yearly tests such as mammograms and pap tests? I feel the media pushes us into being more concerned then we need to be. Breast cancer is supposed to be at epidemic porportions 1 in 8 have it. I guess I resent being pushed into something that I dont feel is that necessary, bt when you hear it over and over part of me feels I need to do it. I didnt have a pap test for 12 years and when I did have one I was fine thank God, but if I would have had one all those 12 years it would have ben for nothing. Justwondering how you all feel about this. Roxanne

-- Roxanne (Roxanne143@webtv.net), October 18, 2001

Answers

I would say if you are younger than 40 probably every 2 years is better than nothing. It doesn't hurt to have the test and if you don't have insurance or a doctor, many health departments offer them for low cost or free of charge. I know of 2 people in my small town who died in their 40's and 50's, one of cervical cancer that would have been easliy treatable, but she did not have a Pap test for 25 years, and one of breast cancer in her 40's. They both left behind children and grand-children and even though it has been 5+ years for both , the pain is still vey real and new to their families.

If I were over 40 I would then start having at least a pap test each year. Probably also a mammogram. I have a female doctor who is a big believer in prevention rather than just treating symptoms.

I think it is probably better to have the peace of mind from knowing the result is negative, than to wonder about it or or put it off. There is no need to die pre-maturely from diseases that can often be treared with early detection.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), October 18, 2001.

I strongly believe in prevention and testing is part of that. I'm not fourty yet-(though its closing in FAST) and I get a pap every year-though I believe under fourty you can skip a year. I just know of way too many people who have died, I believe too early, becouse they neglected symptoms or didn't get early testing done. Because Diabetes and High blood pressure run in my family I get a blood sugar test done once a year and have my blood pressure checked 2-3 times a year. I think these are reasonable things. Now, you can go too far- I have a relitive who has been tested for everything under the sun- some of these tests were very expensive and involved hospital stays-I feel that she put her self ( and family) through undue worry and expense.

Often, clinics and medical centers will ofer these things at a reduced or sliding fee. Just yesterday, I went in to our local Clinic and had blood drawn. For $12 they will test for all sorts of things-red blood count, blood sugar, thyrod problems-they do this once a year as a preventative measure. I look at it this way-if all the tests come back fine-I'm out $12 and about 20 minents of time - but I have relative peace of mind for the next year. If a test comes back with some problem-I've cought it early enough to treat it before it gets out of control-I don't want to give myself insulin shots three times a day.

-- Kelly in Ky (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), October 18, 2001.

I put off my last physical for five years, but was surprised by my first abnormal pap. I am due for my second repeat pap, and a little nervous about it...So *now* I think better safe than sorry is a good philosophy. From what I understand, most cancers can be cured only if they are caught in a timely manner.

-- anon (anonthistime@anon.com), October 18, 2001.

My mother died one year ago October 28 from breast cancer. It was not a pretty death, she lived for four years when the doctors had given her four months. If I could have spared her those last weeks, I would have -- they were horrible. I refuse to die this way.

I am thirty one. Shortly (December) I will be thirty two. I had to FIGHT for a mammograph. Everyone I spoke to (including the local Breast Screening Program) told me I was too young. Not to worry. I had nothing to worry about until I was at least forty five.

My mother's two sisters also have had their experiences with breast cancer. Both of them had shown signs and were diagnosed by the time they were forty two.

After fighting, I finally found a doctor who agreed with me. Every six months I have a mammogram. I also do breast self exam. So far I am clear.

If my mother's cancer had been caught earlier, she would have lived. Her oncologist has suggested that the tumor was detectable up to five years before. My mother never, in her life, had a mammogram. If she had -- at any point in the five years, possibly ten, she would probably still be with us, and our family would not be experiencing the pain and loss that we struggle with daily. She was the centre of our lives - the glue that held us together. Since her death we have had to find new ways to relate to each other -- it's not been easy.

Do I think women should have mammograms? Yes -- early and regularly. Do they take the place of regular breast self-exam? Absolutely not. Learn how to do a proper breast exam (it isn't just feeling around randomly -- learn how!) and do it monthly -- preferably on the same day of your cycle, as hormones cause your breasts to feel different at different points during your menstrual cycle.

I don't do this for me -- I do this for my children. I will not put them through what my brothers and sisters and I went through -- not to mention my father. Breast cancer is not a pretty death -- it's a horrible disease that eats you from the inside out. Do everything in your power to stop it in its tracks BEFORE it gets a hold on you. Once it does, your chances are slim.

-- Tracy Rimmer (trimmer31@hotmail.com), October 18, 2001.

I strongly believe in going to the gyn. I didn't go for a couple years and found out I had an infection that had been hanging around for awhile. Women's bodies are very sensitive and we need to treat them with respect. Just because something doesn't show up one year doesn't mean it won't the next

-- mindy (speciallady@countrylife.net), October 18, 2001.

I agree with everyone else. Although I do think maybe twice a year mammograms might be too much exposure but apparently the dr. doesn't and he/she certainly knows more than me! I am by the way an LPN so I have a little knowledge in the medical field. Once a year should be sufficient for those over 40 with maybe a base line earlier, but I can understand one's concern when someone in your family has died from breast cancer. Every one should have a pap at least every 2 years, preferably every year. There is no danger in it and it's just plain foolish not to get one. Not knowing something is the danger. People who can't afford them can usually get them done at the health dept. very inexpensively.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), October 18, 2001.

why don't you feel it to be necessary? There are valid medical reasons for promoting these screening exams..they work. Why die of a totally preventable disease such as cervical cancer? Why wait to feel a lump the size of a grape in your breast tissue so the docs can shake their heads and tell you it has spread to your lymph nodes or bone? There are folks dying daily from cancers such as pancreatic and lung who wished they could have been diagnosed early enough to be treated. I would much rather have a yearly pap and mammogram than find out too late I have an untreatable cancer because I was too foolish to be tested. To each his/her own, but i am not a gambler with my life.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), October 18, 2001.

I think it is a good idea to have regular yearly check ups. Although I don't. I was having regular pap smears done up until about 2 years after my son was born. Then my ob/gyn retired. I haven't tried to find another doctor. My son in now 7 years old so I have not had a pap smear done in about 5 years. I also have never had a mamogram and I am 41. My boss is on me all the time to make and appointment and just go. Her housekeeper didn't go for regular check ups or mamograms and has been battling breast cancer for quite some time now. She is now at the stage where there is nothing more they can do for her. I've known for quite some time that this is something I just MUST do, but haven't taken the time out to find a doctor and make an appointment. I don't want it to be something I'll regret. Maybe this post was started as a (last) gentle reminder for me?

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), October 18, 2001.

Greenthumbelina: DO IT NOW!!! Don't wait another day - make an appt. it could save your life. Ask some friends to recommend a dr. and by the way, it doesn't have to be an ob/gyn, an internist or family practioner can do them too. You might feel more comfortable with a woman doctor and they generally have a lot of compassion.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), October 18, 2001.

Greenthumbelina - Get it scheduled today. Once you call and have it scheduled, then its done. I put off seeing my doctor for the last three and a half years. Just had a complete physical and P & P yesterday. Now I have a pelvic US and 13 blood tests scheduled! It took feeling very, very poorly to do it, but now I have my mind made up to take care of this body since its the only one I'll have! Now I just can't wait to feel better! Its really not so bad, honest!

-- Lisa in WI (lehman16NOSPAM@vbe.com), October 19, 2001.

My paternal grandmother had breast cancer late in life. So far neither of my father's sisters has presented with it. However, my maternal grandFATHER had breast cancer (for every 100 women who have it, 1 man is diagnosed)which increases my chances by about ten fold. None of his daughters, including my mother, has breast cancer but all have been troubled by fibrous cysts, as have I. Two of my cousins on that side have had breast cancer. Do I get yearly mammos? You bet and have since I was 35! Same with paps because another cousin had cervical cancer.

-- Belle (notsaying@boondocks.net), October 20, 2001.