Wellness

[granddi]

Katie Couric, Age 65, has announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer. This was discovered during routine mamogram. 

And we are being told after 65 forget about mamograms and pap tests. Health care is being rationed. 

[Suzeecat]

I'm 67 and my dr just gave me a script for my annual mammogram.  I've never had an issue, but my dr has never indicated that it's OK to skip due to my age.  I always thought that chances of getting all types of cancer increase with age, no?

[DrakesMomma]

Current recommendations from Cancer dot org

• Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
• Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.

[brandiwine]

She was diagnosed over a year ago.  She has already been thru treatment.  She has a huge family history of many types of cancer and has always kept us with exams.  She caught this early and is doing well.  Another reminder to all of us for early detection.

[sann]

Have never been told that because of my age a mammogram wasn't necessary .....

[PINKdogWOOD]

@sann   I have been told this however about pap tests.

[novamc1]

Her sister, Emily Couric, died of pancreatic cancer in 2001.

I think it was during her term as a Virginia State Senator that she was instrumental in making Virginia the first state to require insurers to cover colon cancer screening.

[qvcaddition]

I still get mammos, but had to fight for it. In my early 80's they didn't want to give me one, but Dr. found a lump and Mammo showed nothing, so they did ultrasound and nothing.

I still insist on them everyyear, but have to fight for it.

Explaination was, when you are old, if you have cancer started, before it gets aggessive, you will proberly be gone.

My dad died from cancer at 82, but he was being treated because my sister argued about his care.

I had to insist on my b12 shots and what a difference they make.  Vitamens didn't help, not even AL vits. on the b12.  His other vits are working for me.

I was born and raised in america and have to fight for stuff when I'm old.

[qvcaddition]

When my friend was 85, I told her to get a mammo because she had a scare a few years back.  She said Dr. said every two years.  She is the type of women that never insisted on anything and because her doc has a medical degree and I don't, she didn't listen to me and waited. 

The next year she got her mammo and they discovered breast cancer.  Fortunetly they caught it in time and today she is 96.

You should listen to Dr., but also be your own advocate and listen to your body or your feelings.

[mac116]

My sister was just telling me that 2 women in her group of friends (all over 80), were just diagnosed with breast cancer.