Mamograms and smears.

[carebear]

My friend of 37 told me she hasn't had one since she was 30 (smear). I feel that's dangerous.

I get one done every year no matter how much I hate them.

I got my first mam. done last year. Now I do my smear and my mam. around the same time which is October for me. It's a marker month for me.

Do you do your test/s regularly and do you have a marker month?

[britjojo]

My marker month as you put it is June-nice and simple, six weeks after my daughter's birthday, since that was when I had my post natal one. Now I just do it whenever I get the reminder from the maternity center.

And I completely agreed that they are the most important things you could do.

[carebear]

That's good to hear you have a marker month. I hope more women do as well.

[littlecat123]

I'm way overdue for both (mammy 3 years, pap 4 years) but I just HATE having it done! But I'm determined that this summer I will go get them done finally.

[carebear]

Originally Posted by littlecat123

I'm way overdue for both (mammy 3 years, pap 4 years) but I just HATE having it done! But I'm determined that this summer I will go get them done finally.

Okay, here's my lecture to you.

A young girl who finally went in to get her smear found out she had stage 4 cancer on her cervix. It's too late for her. But if she had gone in every year she would have been able to catch it early. True story!


Now get in there, missy!

[PrettyinPink]

I also have a marker month, February. At each visit I write my address on a reminder card that the doctor's office sends to me three months prior to when I am due for another visit. In this part of the country we have such a shortage of ob-gyns that you have to schedule your next appointment that far in advance. Is it like that for anyone else?

[britjojo]

The situation is fast becoming that way in this part of the country too. There is a problem because of rising litigation insurance costs, that is forcing many OB/GYNS out of practise, or into other areas of medicine. When I had a threatened miscarriage and was told by the ER that I had to be seen within five days, it took 3 weeks to get an 'emergency' appointment.

[medako]

I haven't ever had a mam and my last pap was at my 6 week checkup (Feb 2006). I really need to get on the ball and pay attention a little more closely.

[dreamr802]

I'm 22 years old and I've never had a smear before...is that bad?

[KeLLi]

I was 15 when I first had mine and get one once a year. Sometimes 4 times a year from different doctors I have to see for my infertility.

[Gilipsie]

July is my month. It is when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Do not let this slip away from you. Get your exams.

[r8rpwr]

I had my baseline mammogram about six months ago - all clear.

I'm due for my pap next month. Thanks for the reminder, I need to call this week for an appt. Though, I don't have to wait that long; it's generally not too difficult to get in. I see a midwife for my annual exams.