Delaying a Mammogram. Am I the only one that does this?

[DawnCt1]

First of all, I should not have delayed my mammogram, but I had a lot going on in my house this summer, (no excuse) so I put it off repeatedly. DH was NOT happy. So finally, the kitchen is done, no more excuses, except we are going on vacation next month, so I thought of putting it off in case they "find" something. I didn't. I booked my appointment for Nov. 2. I put myself on a cancellation call list and I am going tomorrow. Now I am not years late, I am like 4 months late. My mother died of breast cancer, my aunt died of ovarian cancer and she had colon cancer 40 years before that, so I totally understand being timely in getting this done. Now that I am late I have this fear that they are going to find something because I didn't "go" on time. I know its totally irrational, but I feel some mild anxiety over this. My BFF says she gets anxious anyway, and is never late for any of her appointments. Anyone else do this?

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I'm not old enough to be getting mammograms yet but I do the same thing when it comes to doctors visits. I work in health care (I seem to remember you do to) and I have noticed health care workers seem to be the worse when it comes to putting these things off.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I have put mine off for over a year. I have got to do this soon. I've never had one though and I am nervous about it.

 

[hereyago]

No I don't. My DM survived breast cancer-no one else on her side of the family had it before or that we knew of-so I am very funny about getting it done. Just like pap smears, you really shouldn't put them of either.

I will say this: Even the mammography technology is great, women still need to do self breast exams every month.

In DM's case, her mammogram(in the early 90's when this happened) didn't show anything, 2 months after it was done, she was doing her monthly breast exam and found something. This is not to say however that maybe the cancer wasn't there when she had the mammogram, but they should go hand in hand,

DM was VERY LUCKY: She did have to have a masectomy,however, it was caught early enough,etc that she didn't have to do radiation or chemo, but had to take Tamoxifin and I think some other drug. But she has been cancer free ever since.

 

[PatsMom]

I was going to put mine off this year since I am undergoing bladder cancer treatment. I figured what were the odds of getting breast cancer now? Then I read a People magazine story about Patti Richards - Keith Richards' wife. She survived breast cancer and then had bladder cancer as well - two different primary sites. So I figured it could happen and have made my appointment.

 

[Christine]

No, I don't delay mostly because it is timed with my GYN schedule.

While you are 4 months "late" I don't consider that a huge deal. My co-workers wife did what you did yet kept pushing it. She was 3 years late. They did find something and she can never forgive herself now.

But 4 months--I think you'll be fine and I'm glad you are going!

 

[DawnCt1]

I have put mine off for over a year. I have got to do this soon. I've never had one though and I am nervous about it.

I am going, so you need to go!! I love my radiologist. He reads them with me before I walk out of the office so there is no waiting to hear the results. Tomorrow it will be behind me for another year.....I hope.

 

[DawnCt1]

I was going to put mine off this year since I am undergoing bladder cancer treatment. I figured what were the odds of getting breast cancer now? Then I read a People magazine story about Patti Richards - Keith Richards' wife. She survived breast cancer and then had bladder cancer as well - two different primary sites. So I figured it could happen and have made my appointment.

I didn't know you had cancer. I will pray that all goes well. Glad you made your appointment.

 

[Kathi OD]

First of all, I should not have delayed my mammogram, but I had a lot going on in my house this summer, (no excuse) so I put it off repeatedly. DH was NOT happy. So finally, the kitchen is done, no more excuses, except we are going on vacation next month, so I thought of putting it off in case they "find" something. I didn't. I booked my appointment for Nov. 2. I put myself on a cancellation call list and I am going tomorrow. Now I am not years late, I am like 4 months late. My mother died of breast cancer, my aunt died of ovarian cancer and she had colon cancer 40 years before that, so I totally understand being timely in getting this done. Now that I am late I have this fear that they are going to find something because I didn't "go" on time. I know its totally irrational, but I feel some mild anxiety over this. My BFF says she gets anxious anyway, and is never late for any of her appointments. Anyone else do this?

Yeah, I've delayed mine too, although not quite 4 months. I don't think there is anything wrong w/ delaying something for a bit. Delaying definitely wouldn't make me think they are going to find something any more than I would think they were going to find something had I gone on time.

After some of the crazy health issues I've had over the past several years, I just expect the worst when I have any kind of tests.

 

[Deb in IA]

We've just lost another DIS'er to breast cancer:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2573505


Please don't delay your mammograms.

It can save your life.

 

[DawnCt1]

Yeah, I've delayed mine too, although not quite 4 months. I don't think there is anything wrong w/ delaying something for a bit. Delaying definitely wouldn't make me think they are going to find something any more than I would think they were going to find something had I gone on time.

After some of the crazy health issues I've had over the past several years, I just expect the worst when I have any kind of tests.

Like I said, its totally irrational.

 

[indimom]

Ummmm...
I'm not doing mammograms yet, but I'll admit I'm more than a little late on my annual. Like a lot late. I'm not going to be specific because I'll get crucified (my sister is NOT happy with me), but it's really hard for me to get off work and they don't do late afternoon appointments and the last two times I tried to schedule didn't pan out (once because of the doctor's office, once because of me). I have got to find a date that will work and get it done.
You'll be fine, four months isn't bad at all.

 

[kimblebee]

I put off my annual Gyno appointment for years. Literally years. Now I am dealing with a lot of things that would be non existent if I wouldn't have waited for so long. It was a trip to the ER that made me deal with it.

I have learned my lesson and will now keep up to date on all appointments.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Didn't delay mammo's and I'm glad I didn't. Was diagnosed with B.C. a year ago thanks to the mammogram. After a radical, chemo and radiation you would think I would learn my lesson - but now I'm delaying my first colonoscopy. Still have soooo many doctors appointments that another one just might send me over the edge . But I do have to just put on my big girl panties and schedule it. Once that delay mechanism in my head starts though it just doesn't want to shut off and it keeps saying - "just wait another month, just one more month, just one more month...."

 

[TEENEE]

I'm pretty good about going to my annual exam. My gyno suggests getting the mammo a couple weeks before the appointment with him so that he can go over the results with the patient. That being said, I had my appointment and mammo in January. It was fine. Last Sunda I found a lump. Called my gyn on Monday, saw him Tues had a mammo and ultrasound on Wed. I am lucky. It turns out I have 3 cysts. I found comfort in knowing that the lump that I felt did not show up on the mammo that was done in January. Ladies, please have your annual exams and mammos. It could save your life.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I was due for a mammo in August. My OB/GYN visit is due in November. But you know what? I am waiting until January.

Right now I pay a 20% co-pay (yes, twenty PERCENT, not $20) for my OB/GYN visit. Starting January 1 it will be free.

Mammos are already supposed to be covered at 100%. But my radiology clinic is fond of bait & switch. The FREE mammo is a SCREENING mammo. But they will find some reason that I don't qualify for that. I will need a DIAGNOSTIC mammo, and no amount of screeching and screaming will fix it. So I will owe upwards of $350 for the damn thing. I figured it would be a complete waste to have $350 applied to my annual deductible this late in the year. I have to pay 100% of the costs until I hit $750 OOP. I have NEVER met the deductible. That includes back when the deductible was $500. They were nice enough to raise it this year. I fully anticipate they will raise it again for 2011, which means I'll be looking at about $1000 OOP before they cover anything. Might as well do all of my exams in January just in case I actually do manage to spend $1000 OOP over the course of the year.

 

[DawnCt1]

Didn't delay mammo's and I'm glad I didn't. Was diagnosed with B.C. a year ago thanks to the mammogram. After a radical, chemo and radiation you would think I would learn my lesson - but now I'm delaying my first colonoscopy. Still have soooo many doctors appointments that another one just might send me over the edge . But I do have to just put on my big girl panties and schedule it. Once that delay mechanism in my head starts though it just doesn't want to shut off and it keeps saying - "just wait another month, just one more month, just one more month...."

Me too! You are not alone.

 

[DawnCt1]

I was due for a mammo in August. My OB/GYN visit is due in November. But you know what? I am waiting until January.

Right now I pay a 20% co-pay (yes, twenty PERCENT, not $20) for my OB/GYN visit. Starting January 1 it will be free.

Mammos are already supposed to be covered at 100%. But my radiology clinic is fond of bait & switch. The FREE mammo is a SCREENING mammo. But they will find some reason that I don't qualify for that. I will need a DIAGNOSTIC mammo, and no amount of screeching and screaming will fix it. So I will owe upwards of $350 for the damn thing. I figured it would be a complete waste to have $350 applied to my annual deductible this late in the year. I have to pay 100% of the costs until I hit $750 OOP. I have NEVER met the deductible. That includes back when the deductible was $500. They were nice enough to raise it this year. I fully anticipate they will raise it again for 2011, which means I'll be looking at about $1000 OOP before they cover anything. Might as well do all of my exams in January just in case I actually do manage to spend $1000 OOP over the course of the year.

Have you talked to your doctor about the level of mammogram you need? Have you considered finding another radiologist?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Didn't delay mammo's and I'm glad I didn't. Was diagnosed with B.C. a year ago thanks to the mammogram. After a radical, chemo and radiation you would think I would learn my lesson - but now I'm delaying my first colonoscopy. Still have soooo many doctors appointments that another one just might send me over the edge . But I do have to just put on my big girl panties and schedule it. Once that delay mechanism in my head starts though it just doesn't want to shut off and it keeps saying - "just wait another month, just one more month, just one more month...."

Good luck. I hear the prep is more uncomfortable than the actual procedure. You might need those big girl panties.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Have you talked to your doctor about the level of mammogram you need? Have you considered finding another radiologist?

The Dr. writes the order for a SCREENING. Which would be covered at 100%.

But depending on the way you answer the questions on the sheet OR depending on what the tech thinks, they can re-code the procedure at their discretion. And it is magically NOT free anymore! The radiology clinic is connected to the hospital where my Dr. practices. I guess I will do the GYN exam first, and tell her about their shady dealings. I am not sure if I can choose another mammo location or not.