Mammogram; Would you like fries with that, ma'am?

[emily_in_nc]

I just had my physical check-up this year and they automatically gave me a form to get a mammogram. Look, I don't plan to get one this year. It is covered by our public health insurance. But I really don't wish to have this exposure ...again. I've had a mammogram 5 times in the last 10 years. Enough. This is becoming too routine for myself personally and I've never had a negative result.

Assume you mean that you've always had a negative result (meaning no evidence of cancer)...

I am with you. My PCP wants me to get one yearly, but after doing that for years, I am opting for every other year now. I do examine my breasts, and since I'm now officially post-menopausal (as of this month, yippee, one year with NO bleeding!), my breasts are softer and less full than they used to be, and I think I'd notice a change. When I was menstruating, they were much lumpier, and I was always concerned since it's impossible to distinguish normal hormonal lumpiness from cancer.

It's just one of those personal decisions -- everyone should do what they're comfortable with.