Luckily, I had been going to urogynocologist( due to bladder issues) annually so I still was having annual mammograms.
A small benign looking lump was diagnosed on the back wall of left breast. Needed to return every 6 months for a memo on left breast to keep an "eye" on lump. The small lump remained the same, continued with a total of 3 times going every 6 months for to keep watch on lump.
Third mammogram, radiologist came in and said I needed to have a "needle biopsy"... I asked if lump had change; he said "yes".
The day after having Needle Biopsy, I received a call. I had been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was over 70 yrs. old. I had surgery 2 months later. After surgery to remove lump, Surgeon said the margins looked clear. (Invasive means cancer cells had escaped from tumor). It's been 2 years since surgery. Will be getting my annual mamo in September.

Many women do not to have mammograms after 70. Luckily I did and will continue.

I've had 2 I believe in early 50's and none since. My mam is drop of Iodine daily for years...much much invasive than those barberic machines.....read up on Iodine and breast health/tissues....Reaching 82 soon and doing good.

Glad you are doing well.
Since Lodine is helpful preventing fibrocystic breast disease which is a non-cancerous condition, it wouldn't prevent a cancerous tumor. Again, I am thankful this was caught before I needed a mastectomy .

We are all in our places in life and what we do for our health, and I'm thrilled I was at the right place in 1995 to hear the words "may prevent cancers"...and that was at a Pycnogenol lecture in Orange Cty...and I've been taking it or Grape Seed Ex for 25 yrs.

Glad you found what worked in your situation.

One can always choose other types of screening procedures. They're better than no type of physical screening.

e.g.

Self examination of the breasts and axilla regions is extremely important for early detection of breast cancer in both men and women.

A regular Clinical Breast Examination by either a General Practitioner or the practice nurse.

btw, ultrasounds are commonly used here if something suspicious needs to be checked.

Gerry,
I'm sorry for what you had to deal with, especially in this awful year. I hope you're still doing well now.

________________________

caroline, I'm sure if Gerry had a choice she wouldn't have chosen what she went through.

Patients suddenly confronted with serious disease really don't have the time or freedom to chose different courses of action if they want to survive. It can sometimes be down to days or a couple of weeks.

It's not really about finding what works in those situations. If it's a matter of urgency one does what one has to do to survive.

Its startling to find this thread. I just noticed the other night I have a area in one of my breasts that is very tender to the touch. I'm only 39 but had a mammogram and a few ultrasounds done over the years after a breast examination by my obgyn noticed I had a lump in my breasts and sent me for a breast ultrasound and mammogram. It shows I have cysts in both breasts and needs to be monitored every year.
I have not had a ultrasound or mammogram in well over 5 years. Now, I'm a little worried and have not told my hubby about the soreness I feel where a cyst is located at.

I had a soft fluid like cyst in my late 20s (many yrs ago) for some reason I stopped drinking coffee for awhile & it went away..this was pre internet, so I might have read something about that connection in a natural health based library book..

Maybe something here will be helpful?
fibrocystic breast disease - Google Search

D T, do some research on Iodine and breast health, it could be amazing for you with even 1 drop of iodine daily....and if you want to get Iodine Levels checked, it's a big deficiency in our population, not in Japan...

When I've missed my daily "drop" I can end up with pain and tenderness, I do not miss it as I know my body....and I don't get a huge seafood amount of foods.... I try to but it's not easy to get adequate seafoods...

I was diagnosed with the cysts in my early 20s. I was getting a mammogram or breast ultrasound done every couple of years. I stopped getting it done over the last 5-7 years now. I felt like it was a waste of money. I will be turning 40 in a few months so then I know it will be recommended for screening. My daughter is a nurse for a obgyn. If I don't have it checked she will worry as she is a worry wart and may try and drag me to her doctor. Thank you for sharing the information. I will check into it.