Katie's Mammogram, Anyone?

[Magickndm]

I don't care for Katie Couric either, but if it saves a life or two it's well worth it.
I don't watch Today because of her mainly, but my Dish Network came with a remote, it can change channels at the click of a button.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....If it convinces just one woman to get a mammogram, it's worth it.

I agree.

 

[DVCLiz]

You know, maybe the real question should be -

Why do we as a society seem to rely on our entertainment and media outlets to provide this kind of information in the first place? Why, with all we know about breast cancer and early detection, aren't "we" doing something proactive to educate women and assure they all have access to screening and treatment as early as possible??? Sad to think that we can have almost live streaming video of Britney Spears' birth experience at the touch of a button, but it takes such effort to get a woman to have a mammogram she should have had years ago.

Thanks for keeping this a thoughtful discussion - I do see both sides of it.

 

[laurabelle]

I'm taking a personal stand here - I will not, will not, will not watch ANYTHING done to or by Katie Couric concerning any health issue she may have. I'm sorry about her husband, but enough is enough.
Comments??

Well, you asked...Ok... If you don't like her, don't watch her.

And before you tell me how many lives will be saved, my answer is - I don't care.

That's pretty harsh don't you think?

I'm delighted that many women will find the courage to have a mammogram - something, by the way, I think that all women should have been educated about well before they came into contact with the "Today" show. I'm just not in favor of it being done by Katie Couric. I think it's sweeps week and she's exploiting the cause for the "sensation" of it. I mean, for God's sake, there was even special music for the advertisement. I just think it's creepy.

Thank God there's new information coming out all the time, and sadly many people are misinformed or uneducated. The Today show reaches a wider audience than many community based programs. At least they get people thinking about it. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, that's the reason you are seeing the show now. November is actually t.v. sweeps month. I don't find it exploitive at all.

I know many of you have or are close to someone who is dealing with this disease, and I certainly don't want to bash anything that helps even one woman get medical help and attention. It just struck me wrong last night (and it was VERY late for me to be up!) I do wish every woman had access to better health care, and that things like having to watch a medical procedure on TV weren't the only way for some women to get information. And I'm sure everyone can agree on that!

It sounds like bashing to me... And no, t.v. is not the only way some women get their medical information. Have you ever heard of The Susan G. Komen Foundation www.komen.org ? Just one of many who provide community based eduaction programs...

Maybe I have watched too much "news" television since 9/11 - but I've started to see a lot of these programs present their information not as news, but as entertainment. And it just seems - I don't know - icky somehow to use what I have come to see as an entertainment forum to suddenly switch gears and present itself as a serious source for health information. I know they've always had health segments, but this was just so - revealing, I guess. Hope everyone reading this thread has had or scheduled their mammograms, though. And has or will get great results as a consequence!

I don't have a problem with progams being presented in a more interesting way. Don't you think people are more inclined to tune in and keep watching a program like this rather than something in dry medical speak? The Today show is certainly not the first to present info on mammograms in this way.
In October 1998 I was a 36 year old mom of two little girls watching the Rosie O'Donnell Show. She was doing a show on a woman who had never had a mammogram, even though she was in her 50's. She was scared to death of it. Another celebrity went with her. All ended well for her she had a clear mammogram. And no, this was not the first time I ever saw a mammogram. I found it to be informative on a more personal level.

I went to my gyn for my yearly exam later that month. She found a lump in my left breast and sent me for a mammogram. Not expecting to have my first mammogram for another 4 years, I was grateful to have watched Rosie's show to see what it was really like for that woman, and I didn't have any fear of the test itself. And long story short, no, I did not get the great results, I had breast cancer.

You know, maybe the real question should be -

Why do we as a society seem to rely on our entertainment and media outlets to provide this kind of information in the first place? Why, with all we know about breast cancer and early detection, aren't "we" doing something proactive to educate women and assure they all have access to screening and treatment as early as possible??? Sad to think that we can have almost live streaming video of Britney Spears' birth experience at the touch of a button, but it takes such effort to get a woman to have a mammogram she should have had years ago.

Thanks for keeping this a thoughtful discussion - I do see both sides of it.

I don't think we rely on the entertainment industry as much as we USE the entertainment industry's hold on people's attention to educate them. And I say, why not? It's helpful to many...

 

[Daxx]

Oh, and if you think having a mammogram done on tv is weird...my husband is a medical student. You know how they learn how to give prostate and gynological exams? Volunteers come in and demonstrate on themselves for the entire class! They actually break up into small groups, so it's about 10 students 'learning' at a time, and there are 150 students in my husband's class. Then after they do the self-demonstration, the students have to practice on them. Now that I think is super weird!

Yes, you are right. My gyn said I would be a perfect "candidate" for the local medical university for pelvic exams b/c I am thin and things can be felt easily on me. The idea of being in the stirrups while 150 different people each attempt to give me a pelvic exam was just not my idea of a good time, thank you very much! Regardless of how much they pay, there just isn't enough money in the world to have 150 plus people poking and prodding me while I'm in one of the most invasive, non-private positions known to woman.

God bless those who do it -- and I appreciate that there are people out there who do this -- but it sure isn't my cup of tea.

BTW - I hope Katie's mamm. gives women who've been sitting on getting their mamm. into their Dr's office. I recently had a BC scare w/my very FIRST mamm ... they found calcifications, which can be pre-cancer markers, cancer or nothing at all. I had a biopsy and it ended up being benign. I keep thinking "good thing I bit the bullet and went and didn't put it off" b/c if it hadn't been benign, how long would it have sat in me, growing and wreaking havoc?! You certainly can't feel small pinpoint calcifications on a BSE ... so, if they were cancerous, how long would I have had this in my body before it was found had I sat on getting my mamm?!

Good for Katie for doing this. Maybe more women will see that it isn't as bad as others say. My mamm was more uncomfortable than painful b/c of the position you have to stand in. The machinery makes you have to stand in odd ways that are more uncomfortable than painful.

I will def. go for my mamm every year -- better to be safe than sorry. Be proactive in your health, ladies!

And, re. Katie's colonoscopy ... I had to have one of those (oh, the joys of turning 40) and I went on-line to watch what she went through. Seeing that it isn't as bad (the prep is worse than the colonoscopy) made me more comfortable about getting it done.

What is wrong w/celebrities making people aware!? If their proactivity motivates others, what is so bad about that?! I wish I had been able to witness a mamm. before I went to mine ... I wouldn't have been that nervous about it.

ETA -- just curious -- DVCLiz and others who don't like Katie having her mamm. shown on tv -- if it were anyone else other than Katie, would you have felt the same way? If it was Oprah, Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Brittney Spears, Julia Roberts, insert your fave celeb here, ... would you have felt differently?

~Daxx's Wife

 

[Planogirl]

You know, maybe the real question should be -

Why do we as a society seem to rely on our entertainment and media outlets to provide this kind of information in the first place? Why, with all we know about breast cancer and early detection, aren't "we" doing something proactive to educate women and assure they all have access to screening and treatment as early as possible??? Sad to think that we can have almost live streaming video of Britney Spears' birth experience at the touch of a button, but it takes such effort to get a woman to have a mammogram she should have had years ago.

Thanks for keeping this a thoughtful discussion - I do see both sides of it.

How would you reach people if you didn't use these outlets? Short of going door to door what other way is there?

I suspect that most women are well aware of the importance of mammograms nowadays but that doesn't dispel the fear. I think that Katie Couric's story might convince a few women to get over their fears and get it done. A lot of worry can be calmed when someone sees what the process is and hopefully, that it's not as bad as a person might think.

 

[Daxx]

I suspect that most women are well aware of the importance of mammograms nowadays but that doesn't dispel the fear.

Absolutely!!!! I think every woman goes into her mamm. fearful. What will they find? How bad might it be? How much will it hurt? If any woman thinks bc can't happen to her ... then maybe Katie gave a well-needed wake up call.

When I went for my mamm., my gyn. said I had *nothing* to worry about, that he didn't feel a thing when he did my be. Well, turns out he was wrong -- there were pinpoint calcifications. A be would never have picked them up. There are things that can be there but can't be felt. And, if the mamm. finds something that can't be felt, the earlier you catch it and get it taken care of, the better your chances of survival. Not all lumps can be felt. And, as I mentioned above, there are things like calcifications that can be there and go unnoticed w/o benefit of a mamm.

BTW -- I am not a huge Katie fan. However, I don't think Katie sees herself as some kind of hero and I don't think she's going around thinking "I've saved so many lives now, aren't I wonderful!". I think she is doing this to raise awareness. Her motives aren't selfish.

 

[DVCLiz]

What is wrong w/celebrities making people aware!? If their proactivity motivates others, what is so bad about that?! I wish I had been able to witness a mamm. before I went to mine ... I wouldn't have been that nervous about it.

ETA -- just curious -- DVCLiz and others who don't like Katie having her mamm. shown on tv -- if it were anyone else other than Katie, would you have felt the same way? If it was Oprah, Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Brittney Spears, Julia Roberts, insert your fave celeb here, ... would you have felt differently?

~Daxx's Wife

I think I feel about this the way I felt about Tom Cruise giving me medical advice concerning post partum depression. I'm all for an accurate portrayal of a medical procedure if it will make people more comfortable and encourage them to receive needed medical service. And if Katie wanted to make a PSA and have it accessible in doctor's offices or on-line, I'd have no problem with it. I just have an issue when it turns into what I consider to be an attention-and-ratings getting event by someone who is, in my eye anyway, a celebrity. And to answer your question about who I'd like to see, no one!!!!! (Except possibly George Clooney having a prostate exam, but that's a fantasy anyway...)

I saw a clip on Countdown last night, and I laughed when Katie said, "Next week, I'm getting a Pap smear - just kidding!" I think even she realized people would have different reactions.

 

[Planogirl]

I can't see this as a ratings grabber simply because it's a yucky subject. Sorry but this sounds more like celebrity bashing than anything else.

 

[NCombs]

Comments??

And before you tell me how many lives will be saved, my answer is - I don't care. Watching "celebrity" journalists have medical procedures in the name of education is just gross.

Well, since you are asking for comments.

I don't care if I like a celebrity or not, I would never say I don't care how many lives would be saved just because it's not presented in the way I prefer.

This has to be just about one of the most selfish comments I have ever read. You are saying you don't care if lives are saved just because you don't like Katie Couric or celebrity journalists. Wow.

 

[beattyfamily]

FYI...Oprah and friends did a mamogram on her show a couple of years ago.

I see nothing wrong with celebrities doing procedures like this on TV. Some look up to them and think, if they can do it, so can I.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[HOGFAN]

I work in a mammo clinic, did not see the show myself but was filled in by co-workers. Some misconceptions(or special treatment of K.C.)

A. Apparently she got a "screening ultrasound" too. You probably wont when you go in because most insurances wont pay for it.

B. She got to talk to the radiologist. Again, unless they are recommending a biopsy, you probably wont get to see a doctor.

I just dont want some ladies to be misled or disappointed when their visit doesnt go like Katie's.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Obviously, I look at this differently than the OP. I'm a breast cancer survivor. They found my cancer early at my baseline mammogram. I want every woman to get this test. It can save lives.

I applaud KC for doing this. Many people will think it's a little creepy for a celebrity to do a mammogram on national tv, but some women really look up to celebs. If it reaches a few, or makes them feel more comfortable with the procedure, that's great. Maybe someone who needed confidence made an appointment? I say go Katie! Does that mean I love her? No, not necessarily.

Saving a few lives DOES mean something to me, because I would have been someone who probably wouldn't have found my cancer in time. Hell, saving one life means something to me! Personally, I think to say you don't care is a little cold, when many of us on the DIS have faced breast cancer.

 

[Cruise04]

Why do we as a society seem to rely on our entertainment and media outlets to provide this kind of information in the first place? Why, with all we know about breast cancer and early detection, aren't "we" doing something proactive to educate women and assure they all have access to screening and treatment as early as possible??? Sad to think that we can have almost live streaming video of Britney Spears' birth experience at the touch of a button, but it takes such effort to get a woman to have a mammogram she should have had years ago.

I wasn't going to respond to this but I was given something today that really compelled me to respond now. A co-worker brought in a book that she had found this weekend called "Why We Walk". It's about all the people that ARE doing something proactive to help with the education and access for all to testing. I ask you to go a bookstore sometime before the end of this month - given that it's Breast Cancer Awareness month - and find the book - Why We Walk: The Inspirational Journey Toward A Cure for Breast Cancer" edited by Deb Murphy with photography by Paula Lerner. This is a book that focuses on people who participate in walk around the country and why they do it. You will find numbers of people that have walked, amounts of money that has been raised, and information about people who were diagnosed many many many years ago and get a little understanding of how far those people and money have gotten toward helping find a cure and helping those that can't afford testing. Here are the words to the CD that was included in the book...

WHY WE WALK
Music and Lyrics by Phil and Julie Vassar

There's an empty seat at the dinner table
Where a mother use to sit.
She was 34 years old, full of life and dreams
And two small kids.
There's a young man with a tear in his eye and a pink ribbon on his coat
In memory of the only love he'd ever known.

There's a lady looking in the mirror without a single strand of hair.
She barely recognizes the woman standing there.
She's waging a silent war against an enemy inside
And putting up the fight of her life.

That's why we walk.
We walk to remember.
We walk to celebrate.
That's why we walk.
Leaning on each other
And holding on to faith.
For those who are gone and those who live on.
We honor them all
And that's why we walk.

She lays in a cold white room in a baby-blue paper gown,
Anticipating what the x-rays might have found.
There she hears the words that alwasy stop you on a dime
And prays that they found it in time.

That's why we walk.
We walk to remember.
We walk to celebrate.
That's why we walk.
Leaning on each other
And holding on to faith.
For those who are gone and those who live on.
We honor them all
And that's why we walk.

For life, for love, for one another,
For him, for her, there's strength in numbers.

I have not walked because physically I couldn't but I crewed an Avon walk 2 years ago. It was truly inspirational and healing for me because I had lost my mom to breast cancer the August prior to that, very unexpectedly because of the type she had and the timing it wasn't detectable on scans yet - her tumors were too small yet to be seen on any scans. I learned a lot that year about breast cancer - more than I ever imagined my 27 year old self learning. I know people on this board that lost parents much younger than my mom and than me losing her - my mom was 49 when first diagnosed and 55 at death. She worked 3 jobs just make ends meet and to pay for medicine and treatments (the part that the insurance company wouldn't). During the second round I found out that a month of chemo and tests and meds cost over $18,000. If Katie Couric can help donors come to light to help waive those costs for someone who can't find the means to pay for them - then I'm all for it! If it can bring about someone getting a test they have been scared to get - then go for it!!!!

You see, this wasn't just my moms cancer, this became my cancer and my daughter's cancer and my brother's cancer and my future grandchildren's cancer and their childrens cancer.....

Just some food for thought from someone who has yet to have the disease but has been deeply affected by it.