Posted on 11/08/2009 7:08:46 AM PST by Rusty0604
I have heard twice this week reports from "experts" saying that mammograms are overused and they aren't needed as often as hey are used now. Is it just me or is this timed perfectly to prepare people to think future rationing as just practical medicine?
They are not a catch all end all as many would teach us to believe. Other checks also end to be done. Doctors have always been into fads and new doctors want the latest fad. If they have something better prove it.
Two years ago, my 57 yo neighbor had a mammagram done, all was clear. Last December she had her next annual done and showed an advanced tumor and immediately started chemo and radiation treatments. She died last week.
What does this say?
Annual mammagrams MIGHT not be enough.
Had she been relying on govt run healthcare she wouldn’t have had a chance.
Guess that’s why we see a mortality rate of 4 times greater in the UK of breast cancer.
Personal experience....I had 2 sisters, both of whom first had breast cancer in their mid 30's (this was almost 30 years ago). One died when her cancer returned and went undetected (Kaiser procrastinated on her care) until it had spread to other organs.
My remaining sister went 15 years before her breast cancer returned but with proper care and being vigilant, she has beaten it once again.
My point to you is that I have had mammograms since I was in my mid 20's (I am now 54) because of my family history. I have never developed any adverse effects and, IMHO, mammograms are a very necessary tool. I think it's irresponsible to claim that they are overrated or dangerous. They save lives.
Trust your instincts.
The State Run Media has been given orders to denigrate the US health care system.
My friend just went through cancer treatments, found breast cancer with her yearly mammogram in April. 4 months of chemo and double the surgery and she is now cancer free. Don’t tell me they are over rated etc. I’ll take the smashing any day over the consequences of not knowing.
No flamming from me. See my post #24.
I once paid for a colonoscopy and it was about 1,000. Believe me, if more people paid out of pocket, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper.
This is a true story. I needed an abdominal cat scan. I didn’t want to run it through insurance for personal reasons. I figured I’d pay it...it would probably run about $1,000. When I went to the imaging place here in town the nurse looked at me like I was nuts when i told her I was going to pay out of pocket. She told me it was $6000. And that was the cash price....more for insurance. I was dumbfounded.
I talked to my doctor about it and he gave me the name of a new imaging facility in a town about 40 minutes away. HE said they were new and they were sensitive to cash customers. I went there...how much was it? $800. From $6,0000 to $800. There is something wrong here.
LOL!
Even pap smears aren’t recommended on a yearly basis. If you’re sexually inactive or truly with a monogamous spouse that is fine, but if you’re not a cancer may be missed. Although I don’t have the info in front of me, I was very surprised when I read the latest guidelines.
The new digital one is much less painful, I had last year. Look for that. I have gone years between, but as I age I will get them more often.
That points to one problem I have with our medical system: secret and confusing pricing. The doctor often has no idea what a prescription he writes will cost or even no idea what a treatment will be billed by his office staff. Even the insane airlines can tell you what a ticket costs this minute, although it might not be the same if you wait 60 seconds. I'm not asking for a flashing sign outside a hospital advertising today's prices like a gas station, but if I am going to have some common surgery like a gall bladder removal I should be able to call around to hospitals and surgeons and get a straight answer what it will cost including all doctor and hospital charges.
“Most women don’t get mammograms because it’s the horse and buggy of medical methodology and it hurts!!”
Have you ever endured pain from cancer? It’s much, much worse than 30 seconds’ worth from a mammogram.
I had my first at 35 due to (non breast) cancer in my family. Now, I get one every year since I turned 40. I’ve had the digital one too, but as a gal who isn’t gifted in the bazooms department, they still hurt a great deal for me. I bruise every time.
About a month ago they came out with mammograms and prostate cancer screening being over used. It was kind of like when Seblius announced a couple of months ago that the president’s “scientists” predicted 60,000 Americans would die of swine flu this season. CDC hadn’t heard of it. Such a bald face lie the state-run media even ignored it.
I read in the middle of the night that Bambi mentioned “not letting “teabaggers” win on the hill yesterday. I am incensed.
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