Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Rowan on October 28, 2013, 03:49:10 PM
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This video is very thought provoking and many women will have their own particular view on it, but I do think its worth posting, because this is what we do on MM, discuss points of view and opinions.
This was posted on my facebook and I wanted to share it.
http://thepromisefilm.net/
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It does make you wonder.................I had my first mammogram this year and was surprised at how painful it was and yet we are regularly putting ourselves through this. If we were to hurt a breast whilst doing something and it involved that much pain, we would worry about what it could cause and would certainly take care not to keep hurting ourselves and putting ourselves in danger. The ultrasound they spoke about sounds a much better idea, but I bet it costs more so will never happen.
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I have had both. Also breast surgery in 1995. I have had several mammograms both before and after surgery. The lump did not show on film. It was found at self examination. I didn't want the lump removed but was assured by my surgeon that he could not tell, although it was clinical benigh, until it had been to histology. At that point 'changes were found in the margins' which suggested cancer.
I underwent a 2nd surgical intervention through the same scar 10 days later ; where more cells were scooped out and lymph glands taken from under the arm. No sign of spread. Followed by a bone scan and 4 weeks radiation to kill any stray cells.
Still here. What annoys me about such videos is when the wrong terminology is used >:( NO WAY can there be an epidemic of breast cancer. Only something transmitted by germ can cause an epidemic. Screening works. It is up to the woman concerned to discuss the ins and outs of the film results. To ask questions. Never did I feel that I was being rushed into surgery or follow up treatment. Also the GP telling us that squashing the breast can spread cancer - how???? our breasts are squashed at various times in varying degrees on a daily basis, admittedly not as deeply as at mammogram but it is only seconds although it does HURT - my experience with small breasts is that it hurts a lot.
My very experienced surgeon did tell me that had the lump been left, without intervention and histology, he didn't know how long I would have lived.
Remember - more UK women die of lung and bowel cancer than of breast cancer each year
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Interesting. Loved the comment by one professor suggesting that men should have their testicles clamped in a similar fashion! Ultra sound is far less painful. I have had lumps 3 times, which turned out to be cysts, but not one was found on mammogram.
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These theories have come to the fore over recent years - sufficiently enough to have put me off attending routine screening it has to be said. However - I'm a little concerned that something considered to be 'the biggest catastrophe in women's health' is not being being publicised for free - this small video is simply a trailer for a film which will set you back nearly £20 if persuaded to buy...
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I use to think like that, but after learning when studying Reiki, why should labours not be charged for, there has been work put in to produce the film, I don't know if the participants were paid or voluntarily gave their services and of cause there is distribution costs.
The film is not provided by the Government or NHS.
You would pay for a book with information in.
I have paid for vast amount of books about menopause, and other heath matters because it interested me and I personally though it was worth the money.
There are lots of ways of thinking about this, some will agree and others not.
I expect the DVD will be purchased by organisations like Well Woman Centres etc.
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Why would men need their testicles clamped in a similar fashion? :-\ The mammography machine was developed by a woman for women.
I thought a lot about this thread as I went to sleep, now I can't remember what I was going to post: should have got up at the time ::) other than a lot of the 'statements' were not followed up by information: i.e. about the breast being squashed and spreading cancer :-\ . how, why, research results ?
We need to be aware of anything that can affect our health. Most issues can be emotive particularly when we are in the throes of diagnosis and treatment plans. But it is the woman who signs the Consent Form!
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As I said CLKD it could throw up lots of opinions and views.
This clip was only a trailer to the DVD film.
I have had a breast reduction and thought of having my breast squashed with all the delicate stitching internally, I could not face.
I have had many mammograms and for me they hurt!!!! and I always said to myself never again.
I was told by having the reduction (and because they do have a good rummage round) I had reduced my chances of breast cancer considerably.
I am still vigilant and check my breast regularly and don't take anything for granted, its just that having a mammogram now worries me, but I would gladly have an ultra scan.
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They hurt like §Δπ¢! I think you will find a man invented them, but correct me someone if I'm wrong.
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You are right cubagirl
http://americaninvetors.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/mammography.html
but the the current machines being used for mammography compression were issued a patent in by the U.S. Patent Office in 1986. The inventors were Patrick Panetta and Jack Wennet. if you follow the link you will see a diagram from their patent that looks and describes exactly the current method for mammograms that are performed today.
I copied and pasted this.
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You beat me to it, was just about to post that. Thanks.
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I was surprised at how much it hurt! And I got a recall as pictures weren't clear!
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I have a friend who went to have her first routine breast screening and ended up having a mastectomy and reconstruction as they found very early signs that could become cancerous. She was advised that a mastectomy was the best route and she basically lost a year of her life going through major surgery and recovery. She was terribly brave about it and is doing ok now.
I saw some info about year later on some research that showed that too many women were having radical surgery as a result of scanning when in fact they should have been offered a monitoring regime instead. So often we hear about tumours not being detected by screening or it is the women herself who finds the lump, that I think it is good to question this.
I am aware that screening may have saved a great many lives.
I worry about the radiation. I know they claim it is a very small risk but over several scans this may have an impact.
If I wasn't on HRT and had to have breast screening to be able to continue with it, I probably wouldn't do it - I check my breasts regularly and if there was anything suspicious I would be down the docs asap.
There is no breast cancer in my family and I find the screening process highly stressful.
What I most fear is Dementia and osteoporosis. How come we are not routinely scanned and treated for this really early? DG x
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Because osteoporosis isn't headline material >:(
I was told by a radiographer that the mammogram machines used in the UK were invented by a woman. I had annual mammograms for 10 years and have had no signs that there is radiation 'damage'.
It is said that more men die with prostrate cancer than because of it. Due to the tumours usually being slow growing. My Dad was treated with an implant regularly for years but on his Death Cert it stated 'prostate cancer' as the cause - neither Mum nor I believed that but he was cremated so can't have our worry verified. Maybe some cancers in women could be slow growing but IMO it is safer to have the tumour removed and sent for histology than run the risk .........
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I go for them when the letter arrives but really hate them as I am very small up there so they always seem to squash them in to hard if that makes sense and it is painful i would love to shove a mans privates into a machine like that just to get my own back at times then they would know what it feels like
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Why on earth would you want to do that Leony?? :-\
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I know it's a very personal choice. A few women that I know who have had a call back after a mammogram have then had a follow up ultrasound. I don't think operations are done without further investigation.
As for sticking a man's bits into a mammogram machine. Why,it's not their fault. You might as well say you want to shoot mother nature :-\
Honeyb
X
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When I had worries about 4 years ago I saw a Consultant privately and thought he was 'awful' - he did an ultrasound scan but I couldn't see the screen ....... >:( ......... I saw him earlier this year as an NHS patient and was really different. Reassuring. Listened to why I was there .... previously I couldn't have built up a working relationship but probably if I needed to see him again ......... so it is important to take all aspects of health treatment on board and be able to talk through issues.
Men have their problems, I could tellyou stories that would make your hair curl ;)
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Just to let them know how it feels to be poked and prodded in private places my mother always said if men had the first baby and women the second there would never be a third. Its just the indignity of it all at times.
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Yeh, I think the professor meant that men might appreciate what we ladies go through. My son had legs waxed for Children in Need. He said it was extremely painful. Photos taken at time showed his pain! Heaven help him if he needed anything else. ;)
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I've never had any pain from a mammogram - have I just been lucky?
Taz x
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Yep Taz you probably have been. Depends too on where a woman is in her cycle. Since having surgery there is less to squash under the plate on that side which means it is more painful ..........
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Mine are so small high and close to my chest now, just the thought of it makes me squirm, I did have a mammogram just before my op and all was well, but I can still feel those plates squashing them and seeing them thin and flat, and I had very full breasts, I was shaking before they did it and shaking afterwards and feeling sick.
My BR op was the best thing I ever did.
Surely in this day and age there should be a less traumatic way of monitoring women's breasts.
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Ideally ultrasound would be best but I imagine it's much more expensive and time consuming.
I had a mammogram years ago when I discovered a lump and then an ultrasound. It's was a cycst. Next time was last year at 52. Both times uncomfortable but not painful but I think I have quite a high pain threshold anyway.
Honeyb
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Mine are :boobs: It's very uncomfortable, but it's not boobs which hurt the most, its just underneath. Feel like they are dragging skin up from tum. In fact last time, which was in July this year, I had big red weals underneath afterwards.
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HB my breast seemed to continually be sore and tender and sensitive almost through my cycle, and seeing as I grew a fibroid too, I was told I was producing too much estrogen, a good case of "estrogen dominance"
After my hyst they seemed to bloom even more, that's why MY Doctor referred me for a breast reduction, from referral to operation it took 8 weeks now I don't have a murmur from them and hardly know they are there.
That's why I am cautions with estrogen ( some would not agree I know) and take the minimum dose I can, hormones are so powerful even in small doses, our own or supplemented.
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cubagirl I don't know if you have considered a breast reduction ( its certainly not for everyone) but it seems to me you would be a candidate on the NHS, though it depends on your local Trust.
I could go on gushing about how wonderful it is not to have the weight causing rib and upper back pain, no deep groves on shoulders, no more problems underneath the breasts, not having to pay a fortune for bras, not even having to wear one if you don't want to, the list goes on, and yes you do pass the pencil test, I still do even after seven years.
It is a big decision but hundreds on women do make it in the UK , either privately or on the NHS.
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It can transform a life. I had a friend at school whose breasts just kept on growing. She had a small frame and they caused such pain and embarrassment. She had to wait until she was about 19/20 and then had a reduction. Her life was transformed along with her personality. She was the happy confident girl she should have been.
I don't blame you for being cautious SL. You have found a regime that works for you and that is great.
Honeyb
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Many a person has suggested reduction to me SL, not a GP I hasten to add. Sure half my back/neck problems would be solved. However, I've gotten used to them & I have a thing about plastic surgery. I'm not disfigured & have always said that I'd never opt for the scalpel.
Hard to believe my boobs were B cups 30 years ago, now GG.
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I had AA boobs until childbirth. Now sport 34F boobs. Definitely hormone related. Most manufacturers of bras seem to think that having large boobs means you lose all sense of style and taste. Oh for a comfortable plain t-shirt bra. The only comfortable well fitting bras for me are fussy and lacy.