Breast Cancer Treatment and Care: How Much is Enough?

Amen to that! I happen to be one of those women who almost didn't have a mammogram last year (I have only had one done before, 5 years ago but am still relatively young--36 at dx--so outside the usual treatment guidelines), who didn't feel any notable lumps and was given the clean bill of health at my annual physical (which included the breast exam).  But the MA who did my exam suggested that perhaps I should go for a mammogram...given that my mom had died from breast cancer mets.  So I did, and they discovered a small tumor that may have taken years to actually feel in an exam.  It was caught early, neg nodes, etc.  I feel pretty certain that my good outcomes would not have been the same if this hadn't been caught when it was.  I don't think I even technically meet criteria for US standards for mammography, but my insurance covered it anyway.  I will be ever grateful for that recommendation and you can be damned sure I'll be getting mammos at least annually forever, even if I have to pay for them myself.

Thanks, PJ for bringing this issue to light so we can stay on top of these things!  Jolene