How often do I have to see a doctor?

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

Hello, I am new here. I have one question, maybe there is the same topic and if yes, then forgive me for asking the same again.

I am very afraid of getting a breats cancer and though I am very young so far but still I visit doctor regurarly just to make sure that everything is ok becaue my grandmother had a breats cancer and I have been taking contraceptive pills for 5 years now and I am not planning to have a kids. So that is why I am so worried.
My question is how often do you think I should see a doctor and have an echoscopy just to be sure that even if something is wrong it is not too late?

Thanks very much

Muttsmom

How old are you? Was it your mom's mom and dad's mom that had BC? Have you had lumps before that needed to be biopsied?
That will give us a starting point.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

My mother's mom had a breast cancer.
I have never had any lums before.

Thank you very much

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

Flynn,
I have answered your question and the answer can be find at:
http://www.canceronline.com/board/index.php?forumID=3
I submitted to another forum so more patients with the same question can view my answer.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Regards,
Dr. Lu

Muttsmom

Flynn,
Dr. Lu is the specialist in cancer, but if you need to hear it from someone who has been dx and gone through all the treatments etc. You couldn't have gotten better advice. Do what you should do which is your annual check ups, including pap, pelvic and breast exam along with you self breast exams and discuss your concerns with you PCP or Gyn, whoever you go to for the annual check ups. The only thing I would add is from someone who had their annual mammgrams starting at 39, with no family history at all of any kind of cancer, the self breast exams are extremely important. My mammogram came out "normal" even though I ended up with a 5.5 cm tumor and 9+/16 nodes and Stage III.
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

thank you

Minnlady13

Hi, Flynn, and welcome. I see you are in Lithuania. My, we are getting to have a real international group here. I read Dr. Lu's response on the other board and think you got solid advice. I think the recommendation for mammography is usually 40, at least for a baseline. Breast self-exams are really important to do monthly so you get familiar with your own body. That way you are more likely to notice lumps, bumps or other changes. If you do not know how to do a self-exam, check the American Cancer Society's web site for more information. I agree with Nancy (Muttsmom) in saying that you should have an annual check up with your gynocologist or primary care physican for a clinical breast exam and PAP test as well as other routine tests. I hope this helps. Greetings from Minnesota. Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Muttsmom

Well I plead DUH. Thanks Lauri for pointing out that Flynn is from Lithuania. It will be interesting how things are done in different parts of the world as compared to the US. Hopefully Flynn will never have to find out, but it's great to see this board getting out to everyone.
Have a great day
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

One thing that I might add. For young patients below that age of screening mamograms, they should start getting mammograms 10 years before the age of diagnosis of a first-degree relative.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

thank you all.
I know that self exams are extremely important. I just don't trust myself and usually think that I might miss something.
And what does PAP test mean?
I am not sure what it is in lithuanian so I don't understand Embarassed

Is this cervix test? Embarassed

RachelEsther

Dear Flynn,

Yes, a Pap test is a cervix test. It is done by your gynecologist - she takes a scraping of cells from your cervix and sends it out for testing.

Greetings from Bethesda, Maryland, just a few miles from Washington, DC!

Rachel
_________________
Rachel
Age 50 at diagnosis, Stage IIIA
IDC grade 1, DCIS grade 2
LB Mastectomy, Expander Recon 3/3/2004
Dose Dense Chemo completed 07/01/04
Radiation completed 09/02/04
Silicone Implant 11/22/04, removed 7/05 due to infection (dental cleaning), replaced 12/05. Reduction RB for symmetry 04/06
Tamoxifen 10/04-10/06, Arimidex 10/06 on

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

Then I have done it recently and the results were good.
thanks for explaining. We do not usually call it PAP test in Lithuania

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

PAP smear is for early detection of cervical cancer or pre-cancerous changes. It is important to have annual test once you are sexually active or after 21 (some recommendation uses 1 Cool

. New guideline suggests that for women with 2 or 3 consecutive tests, annual test is not needed and patients can just do it every other year. If you need to read about the test more, you can read the cervical cancer section of canceronline.com at:
http://www.thecancer.net/category.php?id=47&cate1=Types%20of%20Cancer&cate2=Cervical%20Cancer

Let me know if you have further questions.

Regards,

J. Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncoogy)

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