Well, it's been 5 yrs since any comments here so I'll just say all is good with me and still doing what I have been doing, antioxidants and Iosol iodine and no crushing of my breasts.

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.