Comments on: Mammogram

By: Drusilla

Drusilla — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:25:43 +0000

Drusilla…

Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today….

By: Randee

Randee — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:10:19 +0000

20 years ago, the state of IL was changing HMOs. She wasn’t due for a mammogram for several years, but since the HMO covered it and the HMO was changing, her doctor said to have it done. They found a spot that wouldn’t have been a detectable lump for some time–and so my mother is here with us today, 20 years cancer free. We celebrated with a walk in the second annual YMe breast cancer walk–Mari’s Merry Marchers. Mammograms and early detection save lives. I am deeply sorry for the loss of Mayuri.

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:30:52 +0000

Taking annual mammograms is generally recommended for women with an age of 35 years and above. But these radiology procedures are inconvenient and can actually be painful, since the breast needs to be squeezed between two metal plates.

By: Stef

Stef — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:21:02 +0000

So sorry to hear about your friends. I’m 32 and I do have a family history. I have never been tested and I should. Thanks for the reminder.

By: Sandy Baksys

Sandy Baksys — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:11:51 +0000

Marijean, I got your blog address last month from Marcia. So sorry to hear about your friend. About mammograms, I have such mixed feelings. I was having them every year until I learned they are about 2 milisieverts each, more than half of background radiation for an entire year (I might double-check that), and I started thinking twice about adding that radiation burden to such a sensitive and cancer-prone area every year for the rest of my life. So, you see, there’s always a catch. Also, somebody should have told me all through my 40s when I was getting a mammogram every year that they couldn’t see anything! Dense breasts were the culprit, and they’re still very dense. I found out I could pick out as much as an ultrasound with my own fingers (at least cysts). Good to have a baseline mammo though, probably before 40. Oh, and for those just starting mammos, they just started placing small pads where the machine squeezes you, one small change that was not rocket science and makes it much more comfortable.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:34:10 +0000

I’m sorry for your loss MJ. I finally got my first mammogram at the beginning of the year and found it to be no big deal either. I couldn’t believe how easy, painless, and quick it was. (sorry to be MIA- hard drive crashed and I lost my bookmarks. I’m glad I found your blog again)

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:38:22 +0000

Hang in there MJ — I’m thinking of you.

By: Dwight Wannabe

Dwight Wannabe — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:02:19 +0000

I spent ten minutes trying to think up a comment that was either smartass or obscene.

But instead I see that serious look on your face in the car picture and I realize how important this kind of education and demystification is. It’s so critical that fear and apathy don’t get in the way of women maximizing the health options available to them.

You are a good woman and you honor your friend, MJ. I’m proud to call you my friend.