Improved
6113 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Hello everyone,
I think it's pretty safe to say that the vast majority of us know the importance of getting a yearly mammogram once we turn 40. I know I sure do. Even though mine have been pretty painful in years past I schedule mine religiously every year and go in and do it, because it is so important to be proactive about my health.
But what do you do if you have a girlfriend who is way over 40 and she just won't get one?
This is the situation that is going on with a friend of a friend. While my friend is really good about going in every year at the same time for her mammogram, she has a friend who is now 50 years old and she's never had one. Never. She's tried gently talking to her and suggesting it but her friend just won't do it. She replies with "Oh I know, I'll do it someday" but then never follows up.
This frustrates my friend because she once lost a former boss to breast cancer, and she learned after her former boss' death that she also never bothered to schedule a mammogram until she was maybe in her 60s. So when she finally went in it was too late.
Do any of you also have friends who are over 40 and yet never had a mammogram? What do you think we can try doing, if anything, to get them to get in and get it done already? I know my friend understands her friend's fears or nervousness about doing it, but she also wants to just pick up the phone and schedule it for her. How can we help encourage our friends to take care of their bodies without pushing them away? Thank you so much for your help with this! I know you'll all have some great thoughts and ideas that I can pass along. Michelle
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment21 Comments
I was hoping to have more of an online discussion with you, rather than just throw around hyperlinks & stats! I am intrigued by this topic...let me know if you'd like to discuss!
August 2, 2009 - 1:47pmThis Comment
http://www.screening.dk/folder_uk.pdf
The summary is quoted from this site.
August 2, 2009 - 1:39pmThis Comment
Here is an article in reply to your resource: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_86677.html
August 2, 2009 - 1:46pmThis Comment
Summary from this site...very interesting!
It may be reasonable to attend for breast cancer screening with
August 2, 2009 - 12:35pmmammography, but it may also be reasonable not to attend, as
screening has both benefits and harms.
If 2000 women are screened regularly for 10 years, one will benefit
from the screening, as she will avoid dying from breast cancer.
At the same time, 10 healthy women will, as a consequence,
become cancer patients and will be treated unnecessarily. These
women will have either a part of their breast or the whole breast
removed, and they will often receive radiotherapy, and sometimes
chemotherapy.
Furthermore, about 200 healthy women will experience a false
alarm. The psychological strain until one knows whether or not it
was cancer, and even afterwards, can be severe.
This Comment
Hi,
Can you share your resources?
- Did I calculate this correctly, that you are saying 10 out of 2000 women will receive a false positive (0.5%) and receive unneeded treatment?
- Out of these 10 women who receive an abnormal result on a mammogram (and the result should have been negative), how many then go on to receive another mammogram that resulted in a correct (negative) result?
- How many of the 10 women who had unneeded treatment actually had their entire breast removed? I find that difficult to believe...
Your quote "about 200 healthy women will experience a false alarm". I agree, there is psychological strain with a false positive. How many mammograms are you referring to? Is this 200 a year? (what is your denominator)
I think most women know that (like any medical exam), mammograms are not 100% accurate. They are given this information, and also told that for most women, an abnormal result usually does not indicate cancer. We are also told this with pap smears, too! Are you saying that women should also not have pap smears, because the emotional trauma of having an abnormal result would be too much to handle? Pap smears are much more invasive (and frequent) as compared to mammograms.
I also hope that mammograms will be improved, as well as all of our medical technology. I am not sure if any medical screening, test, evaluation or treatment will ever be a guaranteed 100% accurate, but a mammogram is the best "imagining method" (quoted from ACS, American Cancer Society) available today for detecting breast cancer early. And, early detection is the best "guarantee" of survival.
I, for one, am OK with having more stress in my life with a possible false positive, if it means a thousand other women are receiving needed treatment for breast cancer that they would not have detected otherwise.
August 2, 2009 - 1:36pmThis Comment
Please educate yourself before you suggest any medical test or procedure to anyone else. A good place educate yourself about mammograms is www.screening.dk - there's a plain english-language pamphlet about the benefits and risks of mammography on the site. Yes, like every medical procedure or test there are both upsides and downsides to mammograms. Knowing both is essential to giving informed consent, but in the US women have been subject to a paternalistic medical establishment that apparently doesn't think we're smart enough to understand health issues. Please read up then give the pamphlet to your friend. Cheers!
July 10, 2009 - 3:10pmThis Comment
Thank you for sharing this source, and it would be wonderful to hear...in your own words...why mammograms should not be advised for everyone. What are the risks for mammograms, as you are right---we only hear the benefits. I have just written a SHARE on this subject (Risks for Mammograms?), and welcome your comments! I obviously have a differing opinion, but would like to hear more about the conclusions of the recent research studies that you found.
August 2, 2009 - 12:26pmThis Comment
Thank you everyone for your comments! Everything that you have written really makes a lot of sense and you all have excellent and well-thought-out ideas and suggestions. I agree with you, and I know my friend would too, that she can't push her friend to get a mammogram. I guess one thing we can do is just talk about it and other regular exams when we get them done and casually mention how they really aren't that big of a deal, etc. Like you said, it's not like this nice lady isn't aware of the importance of doing the test, she for whatever reason just hasn't done it, and we have to respect that. Thank you again, and of course if anyone else has anything else to add please feel free! I'm passing along these comments to my friend so she can see what all you have been saying, and I know she really appreciates your thoughts. Michelle
June 13, 2009 - 11:09pmThis Comment
I've never had a mamogram or even close to the age of needing one, but I believe if someone has made a choice for themself, even if its unhealthy, its there choice and you need to respect it. There might be underlying issues than just it hurts. Be her friend and tell her u stand by her no matter what she chooses cuz ur just gona push her away by trying to force it on her. People kno the risks of things but we make our own decisons, so respect ur friend, the more you respect her feelings the more willing shell be to listen to ur opinion of it.
June 13, 2009 - 10:17amThis Comment
I don't know what a mammogram feels like, as I haven't had to get one yet, but maybe an ultrasound could be suggested to the lady in question. I've heard that they are less scary and not as invasive.
June 10, 2009 - 10:34amOtherwise, besides informing people of the pros and cons of having anything done, there is very little you can do to MAKE an adult comply if they are hesitant.
My Mother still smokes. This bothers me but I have had to accept it. I have pointed out the negative effects of smoking(which she is fully aware of)and now, can do nothing but accept her choice, sadly.
This woman, I'm sure KNOWS that a mammogram is a good idea and has, for the moment, decided against it. What can another do to change her mind other than give the facts and let her decide for herself? It is an unhappy path to take when we try to control what another person does, even if it is for their good.
For example, I am deathly phobic of getting blood tests. I avoid them no matter what....luckily I am super healthy! No matter what anyone said to me I would NOT listen to them about it being a good idea to have my cholesterol checked, etc..!!!! I would be irritated that they were trying to boss me around!!
This Comment