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Anne Duhon - 07 Jul 2004 04:22 GMT

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. I lurk here from time
to time and I am finding new things are being done for breast cancer.
I was fortunate, I didnt need chemo or radiation. I did take tomoxofen
for 5 years. Because of tomoxofen, I have been having a papst smear
each year as well as mamogram. Since its been 5 years since I last took
tomoxifen, I am wondering at my age (70) if it is still necessary to
have the papst smear each year. Also I had a yearly chest xray for 6
years after my diagnosis. Was it wise to discontinue the xray.? I
changed doctors at that time and new doctor did not request an xray. I
recently read that even mamograms are not necessary anymore for those on
Medicare. What do you all think? Anne

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Tim Jackson - 07 Jul 2004 08:23 GMT

> I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. I lurk here from time
> to time and I am finding new things are being done for breast cancer.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> recently read that even mamograms are not necessary anymore for those on
> Medicare. What do you all think? Anne

I read somewhere recently that there was no medical justification for the
practice of discontinuing mammograms for older women. I'm afraid I can't
off-hand remember where, or what the rest of the argument was.

Tim Jackson

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Kaye301 - 07 Jul 2004 18:47 GMT

Tim wrote: << I read somewhere recently that there was no medical justification
for the
practice of discontinuing mammograms for older women. I'm afraid I can't
off-hand remember where, or what the rest of the argument was.

I read the same but think there is a cost factor involved, rather than just a
'medical' one.

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Sheen - 08 Jul 2004 03:47 GMT

Hi Anne,

I am 17 years past my breast cancer diagnosis and I had chest x-rays for 10
years, and I still have a yearly mammogram on my remaining breast. I am on
medicare also, but that certainly doesn't mean I can't get breast cancer.
Early detection is the best possible chance for a cure, so why not have a
mammogram, which is one way to detect it early. I still have a yearly pap
smear, but I don't really know if that is necessary or not.

Sheen

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