Mostly for the Ladies

[Sunny]

You should start NO LATER than 50. Talk to your doctor. Now! Especially about your family history.

I will. Thanks. The odds are stacked against me: colon, breast & ovarian...

[Sunny]

Sunny, I dont know exactly, I would guess late 40s to early 50s. She apparently didnt do the self exams ether, she had a lemon sized tumor in one breast...deep in the tissue, that she never felt.

That's awful. Although, sometimes mammograms do NOT detect cancer...gotta go to the next level -- and some cancer spreads so rapidly (that was the case for my sister-in-law), that yearly or semi-annual tests aren't enough!

[Bo D]

I will. Thanks. The odds are stacked against me: colon, breast & ovarian...

No. Thank you!!!!!

And be sure to tell your doctor EVERYTHING!!!!! Don't hide anything.

I heard a story on the radio that doctors complain that one of the biggest impediments to good health care is when a patient doesn't fully confide in their doctor.

Oh....and might I add...question everything. Make sure you understand fully what the doctor is telling you. Take notes if you must. Ask why.

My doctor used to think I was nothing but a pest, but now we are best friends. He has told me that he admires patients who really take charge of their health care and that he learns something from the process, too.

[Sunny]

I'm glad to hear you have a good relationship with your doctor...how very true -- your life depends on him!!! I think a lot of people are intimidated by doctors, are embarrassed to tell them things, and/or feel "rushed" at appointments. Meanwhile, they have seen it all!!!

Folks should be very selective when picking a doctor.

[Gryphon]

Bo, thats excellent advice. I used to feel like I was being a hypochondriac having my doctor check every little thing...but you hear just too many stories about how something small turns out to be something much bigger. My advice would be---if your doctor makes you feel like youre fussing over nothing, you need a new doctor.

[~Daisy~]

By the way, I don't know if many of you know this but it IS possible for men to get breast cancer. Though unlikely, it is a possibility. I did a speech on it in college, and it was very interesting to know, because like everyone else I didn't know it was a possibility.

Detailed Guide: Male Breast Cancer
What Is Breast Cancer in Men?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells of the breast. The disease occurs primarily in women but occasionally occurs in men. Many people do not realize that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer....

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_male_breast_cancer_28.asp For more information

[Sunny]

Yep, I did know that, Daisy...thanks for bringing it up for everyone!

My cousin's husband actually just had a mass removed -- but it was benign.

[tallulahdahling]

Yeah, I know how much I hate to get heaving bosum sandwiched and smashed for the mammogram.  Why do I always get the bitch with icy fingers who positions my breast in the box from hell?
Anyway--been getting them since I turned 35 and will continue to do so cuz you gotta!
Bottom line--YOU GOTTA!

[Sunny]

*shiver* Thanks for the graphic warning. LOL! I'll need to schedule one soon.

[Sandy Eggo]

That's good advice Tallulah. Some doctor's wont perform mamograms before 40. Mine wouldn't. He said that it had something to do w/the density of the tissue/muscle that makes it useless.

I do  my self exam each month and have since I can remember being told how to do it. Probably 20's. A good time to do it is right after an exam by a professional. Once they declare that you're "okay" then you know what "okay" feels like. That way if anything changes you're aware.

I typically do mine on the 13th of each month. That's Lil' Mojo's birth date. I read somewhere that it's easier to remember to do it if you pick a significant date and do it the same time every month, but I do a quick check fairly often.

[tallulahdahling]

Oh yeah, self exams are a must!!  But you still need to see the icy-finger woman for the boobie sammich every year--

[Gryphon]

[Sunny]

Just spit out my coffee.

Thanks, Gryphon!

[followsthewolf]

Dated a girl like that.





Once.

[Sunny]

my husband would say that, too.