Last week I had my annual mammogram. I have been a pill about mammograms in the past (WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT EVERY DAMN YEAR?), but I do want to take this opportunity to tell all of you that you should be doing all the cancer screening that is appropriate for you.
Things you might not have thought about as "cancer screenings" include skin checks, eye exams, and pap smears. Obvious ones include mammograms, colonoscopies, and prostrate exams. If you don't know what tests or exams are right for you, ask your doctor.
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When was your last cancer screening?
I had a cancer appointment a few months ago, and my mammogram and lady parts visit upcoming. I had breast cancer, which was caught in early stages, so I'm a big fan of preventative checks. I should go get a skin check ( pale, lots of sunburns in my clueless youth! ) but keep putting it off. I don't even know where to go for such things.
ReplyDeleteYour dermatologist. :)
DeleteI actually start with my general practitioner because we need referrals for a dermatologist and I don't have one. But just ask! They'll know what to do!
DeleteYou may not need a referral depending on what kind of insurance you have (HMO vs PPO). I was able to self refer with a PPO.
DeleteYessssss! Good work, Engie!
ReplyDeleteMy most recent cancer screening was at the dentist. He always checks my mouth and tongue for signs of cancer. No cancer here!
And my first colonoscopy will be next year. I am already gearing up for that. My family has a history of colon cancer (though no primary relatives, fortunately), so I am eager (????) to check things out.
Cool Bloggers Colonoscopy Club!!! Woo hoo!!!
DeleteLook, friend, I was miserable before and after my colonoscopy, but the piece of mind is worth it. Just...it's not a fun experience. But it's doable!
DeletePick me, pick me! I had a Pap smear last week, so I have officially been screened for cervical cancer.
ReplyDeleteAnd great reminder from Suzanne about the dentist! One of my sisters is a hygienist and she has spotted mouth cancer many times in patients.
Imagine being the person who finds the mouth cancer! IMAGINE!!
DeleteAgree to agree.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly I tend to drag my feet on medical stuff, but my insurance knows how to deal with People Like Me. They have a rewards program for medical screenings, and I will get a $20 kickback for my mammogram this summer.
Ha. Meanwhile, I don't share anything with my insurance company that isn't at all necessary. They do not know anything about my health history. They have those incentive programs for us, too, but $150 isn't worth my soul, you know? LOL.
DeleteI have been getting annual mammograms since I was 38. But there was a blip in coverage, etc., when we moved so by the time I had my latest mammogram, it had been over two years. And there was some concern, I had to go back, etc., etc., but all is just fine. Now that I'm 50, I think I'll have to start getting colonoscopies. My husband has had them regularly for many years, since his dad had colon cancer. The worst part is the prep!
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm pretty pissy about mammograms because I go every year and every year I get told I have dense breast tissue and they can't really see anything and I don't honestly know what the point is. But I do know that it finds stuff for some women, so everyone should do it!
DeleteI also have dense tissue, and the mammogram caught a tiny blip that the doctor missed at my physical 10 days before. Self/ manual exams aren't enough. And I caught it early, so had an easier treatment.
DeleteSince I was 32, I have had annual mammograms (15 years - wow!), and colonoscopies every 3 since - but I just moved to every 5 after last years! I also get a skin check, pap, etc. Once I can drive again, I have a thyroid check, too, (sigh, nodules). I know they aren't fun, but as a medically anxious person, I appreciate preventative checks! They help keep the noise in my head quiet - with the exception of the day before through the day I get results.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I don't have medical anxiety. If I threw that into my brain mix, it would be a nightmare. Good on your for facing those fears, though, and doing all the screenings!
DeleteI have a friend who decided to get a mammogram at 38 or so, as a ‘baseline’ for her future tests. She had no symptoms and was not worried. They found cancer, and she got the appropriate treatments and is here to tell the tale. YAY CANCER SCREENINGS!
ReplyDeleteI’m glad Suzanne mentioned the dentist, that’s an important one. I’m not sure they all do it, but if they don’t you can ask.
I had a mole removed two weeks ago at the dermatologist. Blah. It was benign, but I’m glad to not have to worry about it.
I went about 18 months between screenings during COVID lockdown because I just didn’t want to. I kept telling myself that it would serve me right if something were wrong and I was ignoring it. Why so hard on yourself, J? My sister had cervical cancer and kind of ignored the symptoms for a bit, and I don’t blame her. I’m just glad she’s OK.
I mean, sometimes we ignore little things, right? And then they turn into big things? We're all out here just doing the best we can!
DeleteI had a mammogram a few months ago, and I'm due for my next colonoscopy next summer (not this one, phew.) But I'm WAY overdue on my pap smear and skin check (I do keep up with eye exams because I wear contacts.) Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteJenny, call your doctor and set up those appointments today!
DeletePut me down for so many checks! I get an annual mammogram, skin check, and eye check (religiously, mostly because they won't give me new contacts without an eye exam). I also do ColoGuard (in place of colonoscopies) every three, and Pap every however often they make me. It's nice to hear when everything is normal.
ReplyDeleteI am loving how many of us are bound to eye checks because of access to contacts. The reason I get regular pap smears is because I want my birth control refill. LOL. They know how to get us to do it, don't they?
DeleteYou never know what is going on inside of yourself, so it is good to check when you can.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteI do all the checks, but also... this stuff is so anxiety inducing. I was just thinking yesterday "5 times a year I get to wonder if I have cancer!"
ReplyDeleteI get this. But isn't it better to just wonder five times a year than EVERY DAY?
DeleteI just had my mammogram this week! My last (and final) pap was last year. I've aged out. And my Cologuard comes in August. I don't have family history of cancer, but I'm all about Being Sure/Being Safe.
ReplyDeleteYes!! I love to hear it.
DeleteI had my mammogram on Valentine's Day! I need to schedule my colonoscopy but need to compare calendars with Phil before I plan that since he'll need to transport me back!
ReplyDeleteWhat a romantic Valentine's Day you had. Ha!
DeleteGold star for you! It really is good to catch any problems early, but the tests are stressful! Now that I've had Melanoma, I get to add a yearly chest/abdomen CT scan to my list. I have to admit that it's hard on my mental health.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is hard, isn't it? It's not fun when you're worried, but at least the tests can give you some peace of mind for a bit of time.
DeleteDecember. I live in Canada so it's pretty easy, and if you're lucky enough to have a family doctor who knows your history like mine, it sure eases one's mind.
ReplyDeleteHa! I don't know if anyone in the US has a family doctor who actually reads charts and knows medical histories anymore.
DeleteI did all of mine - dentist, eye, boobies, lady parts, seem - before I quit my job last year (March), but definitely will be scheduling some soon! It's a little harder when you're moving around a lot but that really is no excuse!
ReplyDeleteIt IS hard when you're moving around. I don't know how you get it done if you don't have primary care established, but certainly it's a different process in other countries.
DeleteI'm really regular about getting everything checked. I've not had my skin checked in a few years, but the dermatologist wasn't at all concerned. Considering my Irish heritage, I'm not really pale. I credit my Hungarian paternal grandmother (the other three grandparents were all Irish). I do think June is when I usually do my pap and my mammogram. I got a letter recently as a reminder. I'll uncover it on my counter one of these days. Well done you, and thanks for the public service message.
ReplyDeleteI'm here to try and keep everyone as safe as they can be!
DeleteThis reminds me that I need to schedule an eye exam! After getting LASIK, I don't have that nudge to update my prescription but my LASIK center offers yearly free exams after the procedure. Need to schedule that since it's been about a year since I finished all the post-op exams.
ReplyDeleteI go in June for my next skin check - I get those every six months since I have mole-y skin. And July for the dentist. I just did my lady bits visit but won't need a Pap until next year.
No mammograms or colonoscopies for me yet! I tried to get approved for earlier screenings but I have no added risk so my insurance won't approve it. Boo!
Wow! Free yearly eye exams is awesome! Go you!
DeleteI'm in for all the checks! Some not so great diseases run in my family and it helps to feel like I'm doing something about prevention/early detection.
ReplyDeleteRight? Sometimes it is about the feeling of just doing something. It makes us feel a little bit in control.
DeleteI just checked and in Germany mammograms are only covered by insurances as of age 50.
ReplyDeleteOtehrwise I would have already gooten one.
I am pretty good in getting all the screenings I can get. Dermatologist, OB Gyn, Dentist,
However I need to start moving in the eye doc from now on.
It is interesting how different places have different requirements. My healthcare providers want a mammogram every year, but I hear about people who only get one every three to five years.
DeleteI don't mind mammograms at all. Colonoscopy prep is un-fun, of course, but the drugs they gave me filled me with love and adoration for all mankind, so there would be that to look forward to. I mailed my poop away last month, so I've got that going for me.
ReplyDeleteI did not enjoy any part of my colonoscopy experience, except maybe when they gave me the Zofran and I stopped feeling like I was going to puke. That was nice.
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