Last time, 4 years ago, for the first time I seriously considered NOT having a mammogram. What I did do was request that a 'neck collar' be provided to protect my thyroid - no problem - it was there waiting for me. BUT, what with the pro/con 'evidence'... does the benefit outweigh the risk (this is my field too )?
Last time I asked my GP was she prepared to do a thorough breast exam instead of screening - she said that was fine - ugghh, but... I can see both pros and cons and yet remain undecided (which is NOT like me!).
Any comments would be greatly appreciated... thanks.
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LindaC
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The reports of over diagnosis are the ones that had me running ... I had BBD many moons ago which I have read is linked to being Hypo.
I believe there is another method of screening which is less harmful - the one that shows up hot spots. Sorry brain has deserted me - too much screaming at the tennis from Oz 😊
Ah yes, you know I'm sure I've asked before (and I may even have had that response (from you?) - these communications never end with hypothyroid_ees ).
Thank you G2G2 - that is kind of what I'm heading towards. I had this dilemma last time (not keen times before) but went ahead... now it's 'that time' again!?
I've been trying to locate somewhere offering thermography but haven't been able to find anywhere yet.
Not only do I not relish the thought of exposing my breasts to radiation, but there are also too many reports to be found that the mammogram could actually cause and spread cancer, so it's a big NO from me...
Three times the mammogram has found lumps here - two were cysts and were drained, but one was the real deal and I had a partial mastectomy. It runs in the family and my mother died from it. Yes, it is a risk, but if I had not taken it, I would not be here. It was found in my sister too and she had the full treatment, and is OK now. We are lucky the mammogram is available free, but the thermography needs to be rolled out quickly so we can all have beautiful healthy boobs! (or spanials ears in my case! )
Wow serenfach - it is so good to hear that you [and your sister] have had such a positive outcome via mammography Excellent and this is the great news stories we applaud the technology for.
Being 'in the family' is certainly a different perspective. There has been only one instance in my mother's family - of 5 sisters, one had breast cancer ('warned' not to have any more children... the inevitable, in the 1940's, and she actually died leaving 2 young children with her husband!) - no other family members.
Oh, it is such a difficult one and I do wish thermography was readily available Thank you so much for your contribution. As for 'spaniels ears', I once said - coming out of the screening suite and due to what felt like enormous squeezing - "I just need to put my 'hot water bottles' back in place"!
I've been hypo most of my life and have had lumps and bumps since puberty. I was called up for mammography a few years ago and probably I will be again this year. I refused it then and will refuse again, having had mammograms as part of several investigations for BC - thankfully negative. It was a barbaric experience, and subsequent reading pointed to a study (I think in Canada) which suggested the pressures used could cause benign cysts to burst, and small, non-invasive CiS cancers to rupture and metastasise. I don't know if the research has been repeated. There's also the radiation issue.
What really decided me in the end was reading about the false notion that catching it early results in extended survival times. I won't need to explain to you how stats are manipulated in this way. Peter Goetzsche has written about breast screening, and though I haven't yet got hold of his book on the subject, I do have a pdf written with his input and published by the Nordic Cochrane Centre. Not sure of the web address, but Mr Google will no doubt find it.
Thank you for that Hillwoman - and for the name Peter Goetzsche, which I will certainly look up. and after your considered words will certainly take into account.
I suppose, right now, that niggling doubt is, "Should I really leave the house today" I've had mammograms before, there is nothing significant in the family, plus I've never really had any lumps n bumps... or any real concern (except an aunt).
BUT that 0.01% - when it it an individual - is 100% real. That is the problem when you're not scared or particularly squirmish, but fully acknowledge the 'fuzzy areas' of probability. But, on the other hand, everything you and others say above is also there 'available to pounce' too.
Yes Hillowoman, too much on the con side... ohh I'm off to look up Peter G
Have just realised that the spelling of Peter G's surname may not bring up all the relevant results. I can't type an 'o' with a line through it on my laptop, but it has the same function as a German umlaut, which can also be written as an 'e' after a vowel. Hope that makes sense.
And I agree, this is very much a decision for the individual. If you find yourself in the positive minority, that is 100% real, as you put it.
I have looked online but, without someone 'guiding' it's a bit like deciding to learn by entering a library and starting at A, aiming to get through to Z... without much realising that death will occur somewhere around D - F
Sadly, we all know of someone who 'just happened to be saved' - e.g. someone mentioned recently! Roll that dice Linda... been doing it all of your life Thanks again!!
My friend who is 64 went for a routine mammogram in December. Found a tumour which she couldn’t feel by examining her breast. She had a mastectomy on 8th jan. I rest my case.
I know... my [best] uni 'sparring partner' - woke up one day pretty much blind (diabetes unchecked - she loathed doctors) and went to GP to incidentally mention a small breast lump - she too had breast cancer. Treated yet died 2013, 4 years younger than me (no children and scant sexual experience!) and had several laser eye treatments... registered blind.
I didn't look right, sometimes, but decided to go to the doctor as I was worrying about worrying. My GP could t feel anything but made me an appointment to make sure. Saw a consultant who couldn't find a lump but BUT asked about weight gain and loss so said I have an inderactive Thyroid so can gain or lose weight but would do a mammogram whilst I was there but sure no problems well had mammogram, then ultrasound and then the bad news-tumour thankfully didn't have to have hemp and passes my first year check up the consultant was so upset missed it so think twice!
You were very lucky silverfox7 - and so glad to hear that you've had such a good outcome!! Yes, this is surely one of those things that... unlike cervical smears (yes, there can be false positives and misses!) which do not require radiation or the squashing procedure (which I don't find particularly bad!), so are relatively simple.
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Thank you so much for your contribution. As for 'spaniels ears', I once said - coming out of the screening suite and due to what felt like enormous squeezing - "I just need to put my 'hot water bottles' back in place"! 
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