? for the TCS Women, guys you won't know the answer ;)

ash_bct

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Not as an offence to the guys!


At what age did you start doing breast exams? As well as mammograms? Or do you?

A great friend of mine recently found a lump which turned out begnign (THANK THE LORD) at 22 years old. The reason I ask is she did not find it herself... her boyfriend did
None of us thought that it would happen to us, where as we all know we should be smarter than that but we didn't bother.

For another question, when did you start getting everything tested? Thankfully, though at the expence of my friend, I am starting to smarten up about all of this.

While I love my OB/GYN I think she is a bit overboard. She wants PAPs done every 6 months as well as almost every other test.
Is this not overboard a bit? Is once a year not bad enough?

Though she does say that once a year is "ok" it is my choice. I just don't want to make the wrong choice~
 

cheeseface

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Originally Posted by ash_bct

Not as an offence to the guys!


At what age did you start doing breast exams?
Well you're right, I don't know the answer, but I know I've been examining breasts for a very long time.
 

rosiemac

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I started checking in my 20's. In the UK unless theres a problem or you have a family history of breast cancer they don't ask you for a mammogram until your 50.

Because i lost a close friend to breast cancer at only 33 it made me sit up and think more, because although i checked them myself i always thought cancer was something that elderly people got, but obviously my friend was living proof


About 8 years ago i found a lump and went to see a specialist who did a mammogram, ultra sound and needle biopsy and it turned out it was just fat cells, but they were the best fat cells i ever had i can tell you!
and this is why they say that 9/10 lumps are not cancerous but it's always best to get them checked.

As for the smears, again unless theres problems or family history you have to go every 3-5 year wether your in a relationship or not, but saying that one clinic i went to for my pill would give you them every 6 months and if you refused they wouldn't give you the pill!.

I asked why not every year, but apparantly they can see any abnormalities straight away before it can get worse when they compare it to your last smear that you had previously.

Uuuuurgh i go in a few month for mine
 

salix

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I started examining my breasts at 16. Breast cancer runs in my family (my aunt and my grandfather) My doctor hasn't suggested mammograms yet, but they're probably not far off.


I started full exams at 18 when I went on birth control, only once a year though.
I have to say, you're lucky to have a doctor you trust and like so well
and a woman to boot. I've been looking around for years, but nobody seems to be accepting new patients.

If she thinks it's a good idea to go every six months, why not? it won't do any harm, and it MAY do some good. They are kinda icky but she sounds like a nice lady


hope this helps at all
Mandi
 

cheeseface

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Originally Posted by rosiemac

You just had to lower the tone didn't you!!
Well I just couldn't resist seeing what I wouldn't know the answer to, but Ashley is right. It was so long ago when I began that I've forgotten the exact date,
but not her name.
 
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ash_bct

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Originally Posted by Hydroaxe

Well you're right, I don't know the answer, but I know I've been examining breasts for a very long time.
Oh my!
Well at least you put some humour into this thread
 
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ash_bct

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Originally Posted by Hydroaxe

Well I just couldn't resist seeing what I wouldn't know the answer to, but Ashley is right. It was so long ago when I began that I've forgotten the exact date,
but not her name.
 

hissy

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Because i am a DES offspring, I have been doing self exams since I was 13

My older sister is a breast cancer survivor so I am careful to have mammograms once a year.
 
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ash_bct

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Susan and Mandi, thank you!
I'm glad I have found someone that I trust and Mandi you are right, what harm can it do? It's just so icky! (insert whiny voice here) LOL
 
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ash_bct

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Originally Posted by hissy

Because i am a DES offspring, I have been doing self exams since I was 13

My older sister is a breast cancer survivor so I am careful to have mammograms once a year.
What does DES mean, if you don't mind me asking?

Congrats to your sister! My Aunt (through marriage) is also a survivor! What strong women breast cancer survivors are!
 

yayi

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Originally Posted by ash_bct

What does DES mean, if you don't mind me asking?

Congrats to your sister! My Aunt (through marriage) is also a survivor! What strong women breast cancer survivors are!
DES -- Women who took diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriage may have an increased risk of breast cancer. ...
 

katspixiedust

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I started checking and going to my OBGYN when I was freshly 17. Generally if I end up going before a year is up since my last visit, the assisstant (not sure what they're technically called there) will say "Why are you here so early?" So it wouldn't seem to me like going more than once a year is necessary. Though I have heard of another gyno asking my friend to come back biyearly. Once should be fine though!
 

fwan

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well i dont know how to check my breast for cancer. So i dont do it ?
As for smears i go every 6 months because im on the pill, and like susan they dont give you the pill without having a check up.
 

rosiemac

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Fwan does your doctors surgery not have any leaflets in the waiting room?.

If you just type in at random about breast cancer theres bound to be a site somewhere that shows you how to do it, if not let me know and i'll see if i can get some leaflets myself to send you.
 

fwan

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lol.. i dont know actually.
But my level of german is not so high to understand complicated things.
Yes i should look up on the internet though!
 

kittykook

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Personally, I believe that once you start having periods, you should begin examing your breasts since cancer can occur at any age. (although it's not as common in teens) Since breast cancer does have a genetic component, it does tend to run in families. But that does not mean that if no one in your family has ever had breast cancer...that you can't get it. And YES....even guys can get it.

Here is a good website that gives good instruction on doing your BSE's every month:

Breast Self Examination

As for the PAP tests....most doctors recommend going once a year if you are sexually active unless there's a specific reason for going more frequently....birth control pills, history of dysplasia, (abnormal cells) or history of STD's. (sexually transmitted diseases) Because some STD's can actually cause cancer, (such Human papillomavirus; HPV) it's important to get screened if you are sexually active with more than one partner, have had unprotected sex with someone who you don't know their history, or have never been screened. Chlamydia is another STD that can be dangerous because it often has no symptoms at all but can lead to serious health problems and infertility.

So ladies......time to schedule your checkups!
 

mom of franz

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Probably in my twenties. I'm more serious about it now, my Mom died of breast cancer. Actually this topic is great for men as well. Even though it is comparitively rare, men can get breast cancer, I've taken care of two male patients with breast cancer. Finally, if men read this thread they might be more likely to encourage the women they love to do breast self exam!
 
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