I wouldn’t be concerned getting them every year if insurance/medicare paid for it…but no risk factors for me so, it just stops. Assume still regular visits as they scheduled one for next year when I was checking out, just no more paps. Mammograms do continue.
I switched PCPs last year so when I came in for my annual exam, I was surprised to see that the new doc was prepared to do a Pap. The previous clinic deferred to the gyn. The new doc was relieved not to need the tray when she realized she was dealing with a “spayed female” as I call myself. 
BTW, there is a new at home self- collection kit for an HPV test.
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I must be an anomaly as I’ve only seen a Gyn once in my life, when I had an issue during menopause. Eventually semi-diagnosed, but there wasn’t anything that could be done without an elective surgery I wasn’t willing to have. Anyway. My first non-pediatrician was a board-certified family med who was there to deliver my babies and then be their dr, as well as my husband’s. Then internists all the way to today. All routine medical care done there.
Recommendation: Breast Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends breast cancer screening for women age 40-74. It says that evidence is insufficient for women age 75+.
Yes, this is the recommendation, but I know women around this borderline age who with their doctors chose to either stop sooner or to continue longer, depending upon family history, current health, etc. (BTW the dense breasts statement on this page is very interesting, having been subjected to extra scans and imagining over the years because of my dense breasts.)
I hear many women in their 70s say - if they found any cancer at this point in their life they would not choose to treat it and therefore why do screenings. On the other hand, I know a woman over 75 who just had a lumpectomy!
The thing with a mammogram is that it is not the only way to discover a breast lump. If one is noticed by patient or doctor during an exam, a follow up mammo would be required.
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I’m 77 and see no reason to stop having annual mammograms. I have no family history, but still. A friend of mine, in her 50s, had a lump discovered during her routine mammo. I think of that every year when I go to get it.
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I’m definitely not trying to talk you out of mammograms! But there are downsides: yearly exposure to radiation, possibility of false positive leading to biopsy with potential infection risks, or finding a very small, slow growing cancer that at 77 would never grow fast enough to cause your death but which now will subject you to medical treatments that may or may not cause complications or side effects (some of which may be permanent). There’s no such thing as a free lunch! 77 is still a grey zone for me, but over 80 I think surgery and especially chemo have to be carefully considered. The side effects of chemo, especially dementia, are no joke in an 80-something! I’ve seen previously healthy 80 somethings after chemo and it’s not pretty. It’s a really really hard decision.
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Today’s reminder that I’m old - used my Apple Watch to find my phone which I had in my hand literally moments ago and set down, somewhere! When I find my phone and turn off the ringing, the list of “find my” searches on my phone was astoundingly long. How many times have I just sat down my phone without paying attention to pick up something else and not recall where I sat it down. I even bought a pink case so I could see it quickly but apparently I like to put it screen side up so it’s black and blends with dark furniture. I also had to put a tracker tag on my keychain recently, same issue, I set it down without paying attention. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
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ABBA’s “ Dancing Queen “ was released 50 years ago today.
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I get a mammo so I have information. Any decisions come after a diagnosis.
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Well, here’s the thing. I just turned 75. For some reason, that changes everything. I can’t explain what I mean. It’s just different for me now. I accept it.
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Happy Birthday! That’s coming up for me next month.
On a positive note, both husband and I have aged out of screening colonoscopies, assuming no issues.
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Ending screening for something at an advanced age tends to depend on things like:
- Whether remaining life expectancy is greater than the length of time the thing being screened for will kill.
- Whether one can go through any treatment if the thing being screened for is found.
The USPSTF ages are presumably based on population studies (or lack thereof). Individual health status at those ages regarding the above can obviously vary.
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Yes I understand screening. My response was to the statement that there was “no reason” not to have an annual mammogram at 77 and beyond. An individual might have their own reasons why they want to continue screening. I was simply responding to the statement that there was no reason not to as I think there are actually some very strong reasons not to. But it’s an individual decision (or an insurance decision).
Madonna is 68 today.
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So the Dancing Queen who was “young and sweet, only seventeen” is now old and grouchy, already sixty-seven?
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I’m a bit older than that but like to think I’m still young and sweet.
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I wonder if she is collecting on her SS, or is she delaying until she is 70.
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Perhaps she’s been getting disability benefits.
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One of my friends has a son who performs in a tribute band. The tribute band is performing at our local venue (outside, next to the lake, free) soon and I plan to join a group of friends and go. But…this was a band popular in the '90’s and early 2000’s. I know NONE of their music. Most of my friends in this group were in school during that time, I was raising young kids and working.
Now listening to that band on Apple music.
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