How bad is it to not do a mammogram?

[Anonymous]

No one likes getting a mammogram. No one likes dealing with insurance.

But you need to do this. It may save you lots of other exams, procedures, treatments and tons of calls with your insurance. It may save your life.

Start by calling your imaging center. They can help you

[Anonymous]

You need to just do it. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at your age due to my mammogram. It was caught early and I did not have to do chemo. Had I waited a year or two, it likely would have been advanced enough that chemo would have been needed.

[Anonymous]

OP, where did you try to schedule? It seems like a place like Washington Radiology takes pretty much everything - it’s like a cattle call so I get that some people may feel disrespected. And more uncomfortable for some than for others, especially depending on where you are in your cycle - try to not schedule in the last week or two depending on how sensitive your breasts get in luteal phase. But go do it.

[Anonymous]

And don’t think about it in good versus bad. Think about it as you taking care of you. No, it’s not necessarily in the fun, self-care vein, but go get a nice coffee and/or lunch after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one likes getting a mammogram. No one likes dealing with insurance.

But you need to do this. It may save you lots of other exams, procedures, treatments and tons of calls with your insurance. It may save your life.

Start by calling your imaging center. They can help you

This is said perfectly.

One of my mother's friends never "liked the idea" of mammograms. She died of breast cancer in about 2004 after finding something in her BSE. It was too advanced at that point.

[Anonymous]

I’m 46, no family history, and was recently diagnosed with early stage BC starting with a screening mammogram. Subsequent genetic testing was also negative. The tumor was so small it wasn’t palpable. Very thankful that it was caught early. Please please please go get your mammogram!

[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.

I had a mammogram where the tech misplaced my shoulder and caused tendonitis which lasted for 8 weeks. The "adulting" part is when I went for a callback for that same side and refused to allow that tech to do my imaging. My shoulder hurt so bad, but I did it because they found a mass. Thankfully, it was a cyst. Mammograms can hurt for many reasons and it doesn't make you immature to want to avoid pain...it makes you human.

[Anonymous]

It's bad and irresponsible to not have a mammogram. Do you have kids? Please schedule it and do it every year, or every 2 years moving forward. Also - do not avoid a colonoscopy.

[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.

+1. They are not "disrespecting you." Get over yourself. It's a medical procedure and they don't have all day to coddle your feelings.

[Anonymous]

Tell us what your insurance is and where you are and someone can tell you if you’re in network. I’ve always been happy with Washington Radiology - for mammograms, breast MRIs because I have family history and a gene mutation that increases my chances, a needle biopsy for something they found, and a thyroid scan. But I have friends who strongly prefer Sibley for this.

Please do this. My sister canceled her scheduled mammogram because she had just broken her driving foot so getting anywhere was a PITA, and by the time she went back a couple years later she had three tumors and needed a double mastectomy and chemo. My stepmother stopped getting them too early and ended up with breast cancer that was controlled after surgery and chemo and radiation but later came back and killed her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Responding to myself to say, regarding insurance-- that was the worst part of my cancer journey. Literally crying on the phone pleading with the insurance company to do what they said they would. So if you don't like dealing with insurance that is a reason TO deal with it now.
I know tasks like this are annoying and I procrastinate, too- but please just call today. I want you to be healthy and there for your family. Just do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Schedule it somewhere else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, where did you try to schedule? It seems like a place like Washington Radiology takes pretty much everything - it’s like a cattle call so I get that some people may feel disrespected. And more uncomfortable for some than for others, especially depending on where you are in your cycle - try to not schedule in the last week or two depending on how sensitive your breasts get in luteal phase. But go do it.

I had my scan last month at Washington Radiology. Got an early appt, filled out the paperwork in advance and was in and out in 20 mins. I usually feel very faint during and after these scans but not this time. The tech was very good.

I know I sound like a commercial but it honestly was much less uncomfortable than I was dreading it would be.

Pls go, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell us what your insurance is and where you are and someone can tell you if you’re in network. I’ve always been happy with Washington Radiology - for mammograms, breast MRIs because I have family history and a gene mutation that increases my chances, a needle biopsy for something they found, and a thyroid scan. But I have friends who strongly prefer Sibley for this.

Please do this. My sister canceled her scheduled mammogram because she had just broken her driving foot so getting anywhere was a PITA, and by the time she went back a couple years later she had three tumors and needed a double mastectomy and chemo. My stepmother stopped getting them too early and ended up with breast cancer that was controlled after surgery and chemo and radiation but later came back and killed her.

Please tell me about a breast MRI at Washington Radiology. I typically have mammograms there, which are fine, but OB suggested an MRI due to dense breast tissue. I have been dreading this and putting it off because I hate the thought of an MRI.

[Anonymous]

This doesn't make sense. Message or PCP or OB and tell them you want an order for a mammogram. I use a OB/GYN that is in the Inova system and she sends it to me for an Inova hospital. I schedule it on MyChart. It takes about 15 seconds.