topic Re: New Mammo guidelines? in Wellness

New Mammo guidelines?

Lucky Charm — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:28:49 GMT

I just heard on the news that the American Cancer Society is saying women should hold off on getting their initial mammo till 45 years old.

Also, anyone who doesn't have any (family) history, can go every other year, starting at age 55.

I believe I heard them say that there was no reason for your Dr. to do a physical examination, but take that time instead to talk to you about your screenings (the new screening guidelines).

I have always been leary of the amount of radiation that we are exposed to in getting xrays of any kind.

But they aren't saying that's the reason for holding off till 45 and getting one every other year at 55 is because of radiation, but because of 'false positives'.

I didn't hear the whole segment, but I'm sure it'll be on all the morning news/talk shows in the A.M.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

Lovethesea — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:27:40 GMT

Remembering the discussion that I initiated back in August...
http://community.qvc.com/t5/Wellness/Just-a-Reminder-That-Mammograms-Can-Cause-Cancer/td-p/2051433

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

millieshops — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:54:18 GMT

So far the most important part of the new guidelines as far as I'm concerned is that family history is so very important. Waiting is not advisable for every woman, but for those without other factors waiting can mean not subjecting yourself to unnecessary surgery because of false positives.

Listen to the details, not just the headlines - and try to match those details with your own health history and that of the rest of your family. That's the only way to prep for a new conversation with your doctors!

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

Lucky Charm — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:59:49 GMT

Family history has always been important to the doctors I've gone to.

The doctors interviewed for the newscast (this was on the news--not a headline I read) were against the American Cancer societies new guidelines and disputed every part of it.

It will be interesting to see what my own doctor has to say about it.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

millieshops — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 03:24:40 GMT

@Lucky CharmSeveral of the doctors I heard did not seem to reject the report wholesale--that's why I feel e need to listen to the details and then talk with our own doctors.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

151949 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 03:34:01 GMT

I feel this is nothing but the insurance companies getting their way once again - at the cost of women's health. They don't want to pay for so many mammos now that the vast majority of women get them yearly.

As for the family history provision - every woman in my mother's family has died from either breast or ovarian cancer except my Mom who died in a car crash. All my female cousins , my grandmother, her sisters and my great grandmother and her mother.But since my Mom did not die of breast cancer and I don't have any aunts - only uncles and no sisters - i am considered to not have a family hx. I have already been tested after I had my bout with cancer and I do have a + BRAC gene - but they still say i do not have family hx. on my chart. irregardless , they say only 5% of breast cancers are genetic anyway.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

susan kay — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:30:49 GMT

Read the new guidelines. It's always confusing when they change their recommendations. Bottom line is that we all have to make a decision that is best for us. This is just one instance, but two days ago a woman that I work with....her sister, who is 60, had always gone for annual mammograms until last year, when she skipped it. This year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. No family history.

Each of us needs to decide when and how often to get their mammograms. I definitely won't be telling anyone when to get a mammogram, because nobody has the right answer!

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

Sawn — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:45:08 GMT

Do you all remember several years ago when "they" decided the average woman should start mammograms at age 50? Puhleeze, are you kidding me?! I am just furious as I am typing this. My breast specialist says that most women who get breast cancer have NO family history. My own neighbor went for her first mammo right at age forty. That mammogram saved her life, as it discovered a third stage, double negative cancer. She is alive many years later because of it. Her three children and husband would have lost her without it! Insurance companies are behind this latest guifeline, of that I am sure! Ugh! Ok, end of rant!

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

Winkk — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:41:01 GMT

@151949 wrote:
I feel this is nothing but the insurance companies getting their way once again - at the cost of women's health. They don't want to pay for so many mammos now that the vast majority of women get them yearly.

When I first heard this I thought the same thing. It's all about money. Everything is about money.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

GCR18 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:42:46 GMT

I don't think it's a good thing. Many people get breast cancer with no family history.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

maestra — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:25:46 GMT

I have to wonder what stage my breast cancer that I am currently treating would be if I had waited a year, according to the guidelines? My mammo caught mine early; there is no previous breast cancer in my family history, and I am over 60.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

151949 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:58:19 GMT

@Winkk wrote:
@151949 wrote:
I feel this is nothing but the insurance companies getting their way once again - at the cost of women's health. They don't want to pay for so many mammos now that the vast majority of women get them yearly.

When I first heard this I thought the same thing. It's all about money. Everything is about money.

They are saying women will be able to make their own choice - bullfeathers! The insurance company is going to make the choice not us.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:58:58 GMT

@Winkk It does seem to be all about minsurance money however I am lucky to be able to do my annual mamo and have it fully covered by my insurance.

If we women followed any of the guidelines anyone puts ot there, some of us would be dead from breast and/or lymphnode cancer before we even turn 45.

What another ridiculous new set of guideline to put out there for women to follow. And why are we revisiting these again? I certainly don't get it. But I DO get my mamo exams done - annually.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:15:38 GMT

@Winkk wrote:
@151949 wrote:
I feel this is nothing but the insurance companies getting their way once again - at the cost of women's health. They don't want to pay for so many mammos now that the vast majority of women get them yearly.

When I first heard this I thought the same thing. It's all about money. Everything is about money.

I agree, too. It seems insurance companies are the ones calling the shots more and more when it comes to health care. God forbid they'd have to pay for a woman's mammo every year, but they can cover the cost of a man's "little helper" month after month. Women die from breast cancer but a man won't die if he doesn't have "that" experience.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 23:36:54 GMT

Wow. Since I do have a family history of breast cancer -- my great grandmother, several aunts, and several cousins on my mom's side as well as two aunts from my dad's side of the family, I'll continue to have mammograms every year.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

cookie16 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 23:39:56 GMT

I too had a yearly mammo beginning at 45. I went each year, a day or so from my previous . As usual, at 55 I went for my mammo and found out I had two different cancers in right breast. Surgery, chemo and radiation followed. I did not have any lumps but rather two masses. I am 14 years from that rough time and consider myself so lucky that I went yearly. I was stage 1. No family history. No one can tell me that I did not need a yearly mammo. As you said, what stage would I have been diagnosed at if I didn't go yearly. Best of luck to you and know there are brighter days ahead.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

151949 — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 01:09:58 GMT

@PamelaSue72 wrote:
Wow. Since I do have a family history of breast cancer -- my great grandmother, several aunts, and several cousins on my mom's side as well as two aunts from my dad's side of the family, I'll continue to have mammograms every year.

I was informed they only label it "family history" if your Mother, your maternal aunt or your sister have breast or ovarian cancer.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

Lucky Charm — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:50:06 GMT

I get chills when I see where posters had cancer detected on their very first mammo.

Did I get the story right that they say the doctor doesn't need to perform a breast exam on you?

And.....

Had anyone been told that after a certain age and no prior issues, you don't need a PAP done every year, but every 2 or 3 years?

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

MaggieMack — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:58:31 GMT

@Lucky Charm wrote:
I get chills when I see where posters had cancer detected on their very first mammo.

Did I get the story right that they say the doctor doesn't need to perform a breast exam on you?

And.....

Had anyone been told that after a certain age and no prior issues, you don't need a PAP done everyy year, but every 2 or 3 years?

I just had my annual gyn exam today, and the doc told me I would have an exam next year but not a Pap smear. Apparently, she said if you haven't gotten cervical cancer by the time you're 65, the odds of getting it are slim. Still having yearly breast exams and mammos, tho.

Re: New Mammo guidelines?

Lucky Charm — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:02:05 GMT

@MaggieMack wrote:
@Lucky Charm wrote:
I get chills when I see where posters had cancer detected on their very first mammo.

Did I get the story right that they say the doctor doesn't need to perform a breast exam on you?

And.....

Had anyone been told that after a certain age and no prior issues, you don't need a PAP done everyy year, but every 2 or 3 years?

I just had my annual gyn exam today, and the doc told me I would have an exam next year but not a Pap smear. Apparently, she said if you haven't gotten cervical cancer by the time you're 65, the odds of getting it are slim. Still having yearly breast exams and mammos, tho.

Thanks MaggieMack. I won't miss the PAP, that's for sure. I always said, I could do a mammo every day of the week, but boy do I hate the PAP.