How bad is it to not do a mammogram?

[Anonymous]

I am 42 and still haven't scheduled a mammogram. I went online to do it but the online portal wouldn't let me (said I was out of network even though I wasn't) and then I just haven't taken the time to call my insurance to figure it out.

[Anonymous]

It is likely fine. Go have one as soon as you can for peace of mind. You don't have to have one every year unless a family history or another reason. Don't stress.

[Anonymous]

Why can't you call and schedule?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you call and schedule?

OP - because I first need to call my insurance and figure out why they said I was out of network. I hate talking with insurance. It takes forever.

[Anonymous]

Figure it out.

I had mammograms and then during Covid kept making excuses not to schedule my annual. My mom had BC and her genetic testing was negative, meaning mine would be too, and I used that as an excuse. I mean, with no genetic component what are the chances?

Well, I did end up having BC and went through surgeries, chemo, radiation.

Early detection saves lives. Go.

[Anonymous]

It will help in the future to have an imaging baseline for comparison (in case you wanted a nudge).

[Anonymous]

Do you have family history of BC? If so, get this figured out ASAP. If not, make sure you’re doing a monthly self-exam and go as soon as you reasonably can.

[Anonymous]

Call the nearest imaging like Washington Radiology and see if they take your insurance, then schedule the appointment. You will need to bring the order request from your doctor or obgyn.
GL

[Anonymous]

You'll probably be ok but if you're not you will wish you had the mammogram.

You should call. They can often help you figure it out, or call for you, or tell you it's a glitch and schedule over the phone.

[Anonymous]

I’ve avoided it for 10 yrs after I did one, and it was horrible - painful, felt manhandled and disrespected.
However, a friend had cancer found during a mammogram just recently, with no other warning or symptoms or family hx.
So, I’m finally going next month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve avoided it for 10 yrs after I did one, and it was horrible - painful, felt manhandled and disrespected.
However, a friend had cancer found during a mammogram just recently, with no other warning or symptoms or family hx.
So, I’m finally going next month.

I've never had a horrible experience. You need to go in with a good mindset. It's over quickly and you're in and out. I swear some people can't adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve avoided it for 10 yrs after I did one, and it was horrible - painful, felt manhandled and disrespected.
However, a friend had cancer found during a mammogram just recently, with no other warning or symptoms or family hx.
So, I’m finally going next month.

I've never had a horrible experience. You need to go in with a good mindset. It's over quickly and you're in and out. I swear some people can't adult.

And I've had multiple needle biopsy's and other invasive procedures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve avoided it for 10 yrs after I did one, and it was horrible - painful, felt manhandled and disrespected.
However, a friend had cancer found during a mammogram just recently, with no other warning or symptoms or family hx.
So, I’m finally going next month.

I've never had a horrible experience. You need to go in with a good mindset. It's over quickly and you're in and out. I swear some people can't adult.

Maybe it’s possible not everyone has the same experience?
Might want to work on the compassion bit.

[Anonymous]

OP, maybe send a note to your pcp, they can set it up for you.

[Anonymous]

My sister skipped hers for 2 years, from age 43-45, when she was going through a hard time personally.

When she finally got one she found she had stage 3b cancer and it’s not clear she’ll make it. If they’d caught it sooner she would have had a much higher chance.