Cancer screening.. what turned out to be important

[braumeister]

Very best of luck. I suspect you're tough enough to beat that little upstart.

[walkinwood]

You have a such a great attitude!
All the best.

[Brat]

My husband's niece recently died of colon cancer. It was found as the result of a random screening when she was in her 30s (a Kaiser Permantie study). Because of that, and subsequent treatment, she lived long enough to know her grand children. Subsequently her father was found to have colon cancer so it may be familial.

Older women (the age of many of your Mothers) can probably appreciate this better but.. I am well endowed. When I kidded with the radiation oncologist about dreaming of breast reduction she observed that I had some tissue to spare and to mention that to my surgeon (aka, no reason to back-fill). One of the radiation options typically results in long term ... firmness. This has been a real education.

This all may seem disrespectful of those who are/were diagnosed with advanced breast cancer for whom the diagnosis is a life and death matter. That is not my intention at all. I sincerely wish that their cancer had been identified early. It is incumbent on each of us to do what we can to give our health care providers the opportunity to preserve our health trough preventive screening, to become partners in preserving our quality of life. I wish all of you had been as lucky as I. Encourage your mother's, sister, and wives to have mammograms even after years of benign results when more tests seem senseless.

What is important is to know the best way to identify potential problems: routine screening where the radiologist can compare results over time.

[Dreamer]

Brat, I am sending best wishes your way also. So glad that it was caught early and it sounds like you have very good doctors. Hope everything goes smoothly.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaddyMac If you are 50, and haven't had your baseline test yet, what are you waiting for?

Spouse let me go first... one of the only times in my life when our relative age difference was not held against me.

Now she's dragging her feet until she has the "free time" to "get around to it". She's been so obscenely healthy for her entire life that she has a tough time surrendering herself to the authorities for the "inconvenience".

[PaddyMac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords Spouse let me go first... one of the only times in my life when our relative age difference was not held against me. Now she's dragging her feet until she has the "free time" to "get around to it". She's been so obscenely healthy for her entire life that she has a tough time surrendering herself to the authorities for the "inconvenience".

The problem with many cancers is that by the time you don't feel well, the chances of curing it are much harder. My sister only felt her colon cancer because she was fortunate enough to take an airplane flight and the pressure changes gave her cramps.

Three years ago the healthiest woman I have ever known died of cancer. She was a nutritionist and ate organic etc. My friend who just died was the most religious person I have ever known. My attitude now is that being healthy or praying is not going to protect you from the big C...

I also feel that not being checked is showing your spouse that you don't love them...that you're willing to leave them a widow because of your stubbornness.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaddyMac I also feel that not being checked is showing your spouse that you don't love them...that you're willing to leave them a widow because of your stubbornness.

In my case that'd be "widower"... I've already been declared full of it nearly polyp-free and awarded five years' parole contingent upon good behavior.

I've told spouse not to worry about me-- if she croaks before I do then I'll just find some other hot chick to replace her.

Once she runs out of ammo I think she'll be in a more receptive frame of mind.

[mickeyd]

Good luck Brat!

My initial dermatology visit in 2005 detected several cancerous lesions. Two of them were melanoma.

After the initial shock and multiple visits since, I continue to visit the doctor regularly and am getting used to the process. I've had 20+ excisions to date, but know that I will probably have more in the future.

[Brat]

I had been getting very cavalier about mamms and paps, I have had no issues not self induced (falling from a chair used as a ladder); I had screenings, blood tests routinely for years and until last month none indicated potential concerns.. why bother. Frankly I was shocked!

[Nova]

Good luck, Brat. Glad to see that you have such a positive attitude. Have all of my fingers and toes crossed for you!

[JOHNNIE36]

Brat, DW is a breast cancer survivor thanks to early detection. I say survivor because her last surgery was 1986 (double mastectomy). She waited 10 years for reconstruction because it may have prevented future detection. I'm a survivor of AAA due to a screening. I've posted about this in the past but will say again, early discovery is the key. Please everyone, get those screenings. Best wishes to you Brat.