How bad is it to not do a mammogram?

[Anonymous]

It’s interesting how early mammogram screening begins in the US compared to other countries. Canada, Australia, UK, France, Denmark, Portugal begin in the 45-50 range. The only one I’ve found so far that recommends age 40 is Sweden. Does anyone have any thoughts on why?

[Anonymous]

I've never had a mammogram or Pap smear. Pushing 50. I know the risks and am fine with my decision.

[Anonymous]

PP poster, almost 60. Procedures you shouldn't skip and should do every year:
Mammogram
Annual physical with blood draw (have them check your thyroid levels)
Skin check at dermatologist
Colonoscopy when doctor says it's time (every couple of years, ideally starting at 45 if you have any family history of colon cancer)

Face your mortality and schedule it. Don't let "oh they didn't pick up the line" stop you, that's making excuses. Get in the habit, stay on top of this stuff. Reward yourself after the exam in some way. I buy myself a doughnut and coffee after my physical, and buy myself a shirt or something after the others. Give yourself something to look forward to for facing the fire.

[Anonymous]

Colonoscopy when doctor says it's time (every couple of years, ideally starting at 45 if you have any family history of colon cancer)

Or poop in the box, you know the one.

[Anonymous]

You'll be fine. In Switzerland and most of Europe it's normal to wait until 50. Mammograms are pushed in the US because of insurance $$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s interesting how early mammogram screening begins in the US compared to other countries. Canada, Australia, UK, France, Denmark, Portugal begin in the 45-50 range. The only one I’ve found so far that recommends age 40 is Sweden. Does anyone have any thoughts on why?

Insurance and profit margins. Plus, the biopsies for "suspicious margins" that never turn out to be anything, and the profit that goes along with cancer treatment if they do find something. It's never about saving lives in the US, it's about making money hand over breast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Most women who get breast cancer don’t have a family history.

If you stray from evidence-based guidelines, you are gambling.

For the sake of you family, I would make it happen within the next six months. Breast cancer is a disease, like colon cancer, that moves from curable to terminal over time. Screening catches them during that transition.

Take advantage of what scientific progress has made possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll be fine. In Switzerland and most of Europe it's normal to wait until 50. Mammograms are pushed in the US because of insurance $$

No, insurance companies lose money because they are mandated to pay for mammography. (Thank you Oresiddnt Obama)

At a population level, it is based upon how many lives would have to be saved to justify the expense. That is a bureaucratic decision.

[Anonymous]

I have a heavy family history of breast cancer, including one aunt who died from it, so breast cancer screenings are a priority for me.

You do whatever the heck you want with your health, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I have a really hard time with mammograms (small breasts, very dense tissue) and now elect to pay for the MRI every other year. No pain, and I found it easy. (It's also more thorough for dense breasts.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Breast cancer is probably the one cancer that I never worry about. I may be delusional but I have zero family history on either side.

I've had regular mammograms and never had a horrible experience but the last one hurt and I thought then that I might never do it again.

Please stop spreading misinformation!!

80-85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have NO known family link to the disease!!!!

Your perceived safer status is entirely in your head.

(Women with hereditary risk often are told to start screening at a younger age than other women)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is insane. According to the ACS, mammograms at 40-44 are optional and you should just discuss with your PCP whether they are necessary based on risk profile.

I started mammograms at 45 and it's fine. I have no family history and lower-than-typical risk because I have never taken hormonal birth control. I know other women who have been doing them annually since 35. It just depends.

OP, you're fine. Talk to your PCP about getting one ordered, since it's something you want to do now. But it's not "bad" that you haven't had one yet. Do you have any family history? Don't let your anxiety go haywire based on the "Cancer Horror Story Storytime" people have decided to turn this thread into. It's fine.

Did you actually find a doctor who admitted this is true? Because in my experience they insist it is 100% safe and roll their eyes if you don't want it.

I mean this is the conclusion of current studies and literature -- HBC slightly raises risk of breast and cervical cancer. But more than that, HBC can encourage the growth of existing breast cancer. Which means if you are taking HBC, it makes sense to pursue early screening and be very good about getting it annually. Because if you do have cancer, the HBC could make it progress faster. Also, one of the first things you will be told to do after diagnosis is STOP taking HBC and switch to a non-hormonal method. If you are not taking HBC (or HRT), then this is less of a concern. Obviously you still have cancer risk, but not this specific risk of faster growth rate.

Any doctor who rolled their eyes at me if I said I didn't want to take a completely optional drug like HBC wouldn't be my doctor anymore, by the way. And I have no issue with HBC -- it's a godsend for many women. But it's a pharmaceutical, it is not the only way to prevent pregnancy, and it is and should always be 100% a personal choice whether or not to take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never had a mammogram or Pap smear. Pushing 50. I know the risks and am fine with my decision.

45. I've had a couple Pap smears but never had a mammogram and similarly am okay with it.

Being militant towards other people about this doesn't make sense to me. It's a personal choice and their business. I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use marijuana, all of which are known to raise cancer risk. But I also don't go around demanding other people do what I do. I assume adults who are drinking and smoking and using pot know their risk and decided they are okay with it. That's their choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never had a mammogram or Pap smear. Pushing 50. I know the risks and am fine with my decision.

45. I've had a couple Pap smears but never had a mammogram and similarly am okay with it.

Being militant towards other people about this doesn't make sense to me. It's a personal choice and their business. I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use marijuana, all of which are known to raise cancer risk. But I also don't go around demanding other people do what I do. I assume adults who are drinking and smoking and using pot know their risk and decided they are okay with it. That's their choice.

Of course it’s a choice. Is anyone “demanding” you have one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never had a mammogram or Pap smear. Pushing 50. I know the risks and am fine with my decision.

45. I've had a couple Pap smears but never had a mammogram and similarly am okay with it.

Being militant towards other people about this doesn't make sense to me. It's a personal choice and their business. I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use marijuana, all of which are known to raise cancer risk. But I also don't go around demanding other people do what I do. I assume adults who are drinking and smoking and using pot know their risk and decided they are okay with it. That's their choice.

I don’t think anyone is being “militant”. If you know and understand your risks, then that’s all good. At least several PPs don’t seem to fully understand their risks. Most breast cancers are not genetic, so not having family history just means you’re at baseline population risk (which is about 1/8), not zero. And not drinking or smoking doesn’t mean zero risk either - ask me how I know.