Does anyone else get bad reactions from telling nurses "no"?

[Anonymous]

http://www.ascocancerfoundation.org/patient/Coping/Emotional+and+Physical+Matters/Sexual+and+Reproductive+Health/Pregnancy+and+Cancer

Here's a link from some physician experts about pregnancy and cancer.

[Anonymous]

Do people really go through life like the sky is falling?? I completely understand that there are risks to refusing tests and exams. I also believe that the risks are very, very minimal. One does not need a PHD to understand basic statistics.

[Anonymous]

Very much appreciate the post from the breast surgeon. Unfortunately, I know breast cancer is at epidemic proportions. Why would anyone refuse an exam from experienced fingers? Got me on this one.

[Anonymous]

If breast cancer was that much of an epidemic for 30 year olds, why aren't mammograms recommended?

And the "breast surgeon" is giving information contrary to the vast majority of research work along with emotional comments. So, it is either a really stupid doctor or a house wife that wants to scare someone into tests. I am not comfortable taking medical advice from either group.

I am not saying that I should make the decision for anyone else's body. I will make the decision who touches me and everyone else is free to make the same call. You have a serious fear issues if skipping one breast exam somehow spells cancer. Get a grip, people.

[Anonymous]

I totally disagree that people who believe in regular testing "have serious fear issues about cancer" - rather, I'd argue that someone who insists PMS is a good excuse for skipping breast exams has serious fear issues about the medical profession. Paranoia cuts both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people really go through life like the sky is falling?? I completely understand that there are risks to refusing tests and exams. I also believe that the risks are very, very minimal. One does not need a PHD to understand basic statistics.

I don't think that getting properly tested/screened for cancer is exactly "going through life like the sky is falling". Especially when we are talking about paps and manual breast exams, not some nasty invasive procedures (like colonoscopy). I agree that skipping one yearly test is probably not a big deal. However, refusing all tests and exams, all the time, is not a good idea in my opinion. For many of these cancers, early detection significantly raises the odds of survival. But I am all for informed consent - if you understand the risks of not getting these tests and still do not want to do them, it's fine by me (but I won't join you in that camp).

[Anonymous]

I don't think preventative care is acting like the sky is falling either. Many of the posts seem a tad dramatic and some seem to think I should be concerned/afraid of cancer because I skipped one exam. That is going through life like the sky is falling.

[Anonymous]

OP--Please consider a midwifery practice. They will respect to you, your body, and your decisions in ways posters on this thread are not.
Congratulations, and best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP--Please consider a midwifery practice. They will respect to you, your body, and your decisions in ways posters on this thread are not.
Congratulations, and best of luck!

I think that everyone should make their own decisions. My best friend had a midwife for her pregnancy, and decided to forego breast exams from doctors in the year after pregnancy. We lost her to an aggressive tumor that she discovered while breast feeding. She wishes it had been diagnosed earlier.

that is all.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP. I am a tad surprised to see this thread resurrected.

For anyone who cares to know, I saw the NP and she agreed that the exams and pap the doc wanted to perform were unnecessary, even asked me why they wanted to do it. She also performed the breast exam that I skipped pre-pregnancy and all was well.

I would love to switch to a midwifery practice, but my insurance does not cover it. Finances are a concern and I am generally happy with the NP. I can handle standing my ground with the nurses. If they get any more obnoxious, I will talk with the NP about them.