Women -- ALL women -- this message is for YOU and YOUR DOCTOR!

[Radio_Lady]

Uterine cancer is a deadly disease, particularly if you are in perimenopause or menopause and over 50 years old. You should have been getting your PAP tests regularly, and other tests as needed. Report any unusual pelvic pain and/or bleeding to your doctor IMMEDIATELY. Doctors now have so many more painless ways to diagnose and treat this kind of cancer. Do you know about the hysteroscope? It's a relatively new device that allows a doctor to look inside your uterus and see what may be causing problems and even correct them. I didn't even know it existed before this year.

It's just a shame that women ignore the testing and education they desperately need during their lives. Then, they go on to suffer and die from uterine cancer.

Promise me you will get all necessary tests for this deadly but relatively rare and treatable disease (if it is caught early enough).

Read more about the condition -- uterine cancer -- that killed beautiful and talented Anne Bancroft -- at:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/u/uterine_cancer/intro.htm

Use a Google search to understand "uterine cancer" symptoms, diagnosis, statistics and information.

Arm yourself with this information and make a gyn appointment. Don't be so "modest" or "afraid" that you ignore getting checked regularly by a gynecologist.

It's just a crying shame we lost this lovely and interesting lady. I wish I knew more of the details of her condition and treatment, but usually those things are not publicized. When Gene Wilder lost Gilda Radner from ovarian cancer years ago, he went on to do much good work in eradicating that deadly disease. Maybe Mel Brooks will have another "calling" besides movies and "The Producers" and can turn some of the money they made together into education and treatment modules for others.

God rest her soul. I am burning a candle in her memory tonight.

In peace,

Radio Lady

[The Flaming Red Head]

1. And if you don't have health insurance or access to healthcare

you don't have a doctor and you're fucked.

[The Flaming Red Head]

3. It was a lovely post

I didn't mean to sound like a bitch. I've been watching people around me (close friends) die in their late 30s and early 40s due to lack of healthcare. By the time they get any kind of care, it's too late and they're almost dead. I really don't expect to live through my 40s.

[Radio_Lady]

10. When was your last physical exam? Are you unemployed? Goodness,

send me a private message and tell me where you are and what your circumstances are that make you feel you won't live through your 40s!! In my humble opinion, that's a very young age to die these days -- unless you are smoking many packs of cigarettes a day, or driving drunk or driving too fast and hit a tree or walk across the street and get hit by a bus!

[The Flaming Red Head]

26. I'm returning to the workforce

after a car accident. I just lost a bunch of friends ( 5 over a five year period, three just in the past year) all in a row and all their 30s and 40s variety of health reasons, mostly not getting their illnesses taken care of soon enough, if they lived up north, or out west, or in the east they'd still be alive. Not enough jobs offering health insurance and living in Arkansas or Louisiana reduces your life expectancy significantly.

[noiretextatique]

37. planned parenthood offers free or low-cost services

if there is one in your area.

[Radio_Lady]

42. Redhead, I'm so sorry for all your losses. What can I say? Take care.

Hope your new job holds better things for you. Hope you get some insurance. Sorry your friends didn't take better care of themselves. You still have a life. Try to improve your situation the best you can. Do you have residual problems from your car accident?

[Theres-a]

33. Same here

I got a free pap smear in '02 ,but I don't qualify for another one until '07.

[Radio_Lady]

4. I've anticipated your question, and I know this is a problem for

millions of people in the United States. Regrettably, I don't have any easy answers. Is this currently your situation?

When I was newly divorced and living in Boston with my two toddlers, I was able to get into an evening walk-in clinic for my yearly check-up for a couple of months before qualifying for coverage with my employer. They had a "sliding scale" and I had earned very little that year. I was lucky, I know, and that was a long time ago.

More recently, we lost our health insurance when the company my husband worked for went bankrupt. There was no COBRA coverage because the company was "self-insured" -- wasn't that a kick in the pants! Luckily, the State of Oregon has at least two health plans for people without coverage. The Oregon Health Plan is one of them, and you need to be at or below a certain income poverty level to qualify for coverage. The other one, which I was affiliated with for three years, is called OMIP (the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool). I was able to qualify for OMIP because I was too young for Medicare, but private companies wouldn't insure me at age 62 (don't ask me why -- they look for young people with NO medical problems).

We have serious health education AND coverage problems in this country, and I don't mean to minimize either of them. Thanks for your message, Flaming Red Head (by the way, that's my FAVORITE hair color)!

[FlaGranny]

35. Radio-Lady -

you are really taking your life in your hands if you get diagnosed BEFORE you are eligible for health insurance through an employer. If you haven't been covered by insurance for a while, there is at least a 1-year waiting period before that condition will be covered. You can't win in this situation. If you get diagnosed just before or while you are working, you WILL be making too much money for state aid. The only answer is single payer coverage for everyone.

[uppityperson]

5. Planned Parenthood/Family Planning does PAPs

even on us "older" women. They will do it for low cost also. Even though their focus is planning pregnancy, they will do PAPs.

[Radio_Lady]

6. Good to know! At least, it's a place to start -- PAPs are important --

and so are other symptoms. Educate yourself and seek treatment if anything goes awry with your "female" system.

[LeftyMom]

7. They do prenatal and early childhood care too

at least around here.

[Maru Kitteh]

49. If they found anything I couldnl't afford the treatment

and it would totally SCREW my chances of being covered in the future.

The uninsured just die.

[The Flaming Red Head]

25. That's a good idea

but then if they found something I couldn't afford to be ill, but I'll probably do that anyway. That's what I usually tell everyone about the clinics doing more than just abortions. I've just been out of the loop for so long I think I forgot.

[ohio_liberal]

32. Yep

My local health department has a week-long low cost GYN exam once a year and a travelling van with mammogram equipment is there one day, for next to nothing. This is the first year I've used it and it was great.

[flygal]

28. My mother makes min wage

has no heath care ins - but gets all her yearly exams - incl. a mamogram - at the county health clinic and said they treat her better than when she ins and went to the best doctor in town.

I can only hope this clinic survives four more years of *.

[zanne]

30. Medicare doesn't cover the exam.

I just had an exam and I have to pay for it with monthly payments. I'm on Social Security disability and can't afford to pay upfront. I skipped three years because of this, until I found a doctor I could arrange payments with.

[knowbody0]

2. what a lovely post

peace to you Radio Lady

[Radio_Lady]

8. Thank you, knowbody0. I hope some woman, somewhere -- goes to her doctor

because of this post. We always say about soldiers "I hope they didn't die in vain" and I hope this actress didn't die in vain.

We just watched a 2000 movie called "Up At The Villa" with Sean Penn, Kirsten Scott Thomas, and Anne Bancroft as "Princess San Ferdinando," an over-the-top portrayal of a "grand dame" overseas. It's an interesting movie, maybe not that highly rated -- but her performance is unforgettable. I wish it hadn't been one of the last movies she was able to make due to this catastrophic disease.

From:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/u/uterine_cancer/intro.htm

"Introduction: Uterine Cancer
Uterine Cancer: Cancer of the uterus.

Uterine Cancer: Uterine cancer -- also called sarcoma of the uterus -- is a very rare kind of cancer in women. It is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells start growing in the muscles or other supporting tissues of the uterus. Cancer of the uterus is different from cancer of the endometrium, a disease in which cancer cells start growing in the lining of the uterus. You should see your doctor if you have bleeding after menopause (the time when you no longer have menstrual periods) or bleeding that is not part of your menstrual cycle. Cancer of the uterus usually occurs after menopause."

[lady lib]

9. Just a reminder...

PAPs detect cervical cancer and precancerous cells. They will not detect uterine or ovarian cancers.

[Radio_Lady]

11. Yes, of course. But they can use transpelvic ultrasound or --

sonograms for diagnosis. Here's an interesting site:

http://www.cancerquest.org/printfriendly.cfm?printsub=204

I had a simple sonogram this winter and then a sonohysterogram (painless procedure where they fill the uterus with fluid prior to doing the sonogram) because of suspicious findings. These are relatively new procedures that many women in their 50s and 60s don't even know about! I guess I really thought that doctors did sonograms just to see the baby prior to birth, and I'm way past that experience.

I've had to educate myself pretty radically this year, because I didn't have any really bad symptoms (no postmenopausal bleeding) except some pain with intercourse and simple constipation, relieved with focus on getting proper fiber in my diet.

[lady lib]

13. I mentioned it because many women are confused about

what is being screened when they have a PAP.

An ultrasound is NOT used for diagnosis of cancer. It is used to visualize the ovaries and uterus when cancer is suspected. So for example, if the ultrasound shows a complex cyst on one ovary, then it would be suspicious for cancer and a biopsy would be taken. The only way to diagnose cancer is for a pathologist to look at a tissue sample (the biopsy) under a microscope.

Edit: Here's some more information about uterine cancer.
http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/uterine.htm
I just want to repeat that we're talking about 3 different cancers in this thread: ovarian, uterine, and cervical. Each has different symptoms and different methods of detection and diagnosis.

[Radio_Lady]

17. Well, ultrasound is used for ruling in or out suspicious symptoms --

which may or may not be cancer. Perhaps you mean that ultrasound is not ROUTINELY used for diagnosis of cancer.

See my previous posts. You have to see something on ultrasound to have a doctor recommend a biopsy. By the way, I understand that the newest ultrasound using Doppler can differentiate between malignant and benign tumors -- this is another further advancement that I was unaware of before reading up on this subject this year.

[lady lib]

19. No. I meant exactly what I said.

The ONLY way ever to DIAGNOSE cancer is by a pathologist looking at a tissue sample under a microscope. That's why the doctor then recommends (or doesn't recommend) a biopsy. Because he can't diagnose the cancer just based on what he sees on the ultrasound. He can only have a strong suspicion, for example, a complex cyst on one ovary or increased thickness of the endometrium.

[Radio_Lady]

21. OK. I understand what you mean now. Just a miscommunication --

the confirmation of cancer must always be made by direct observation of a tissue sample. It's just that now many more tests exist that can point the way to proper treatment (usually biopsy, followed by the selected treatment).

[lady lib]

24. Right!

There we go. Now we're communicating.

[libodem]

12. wierd

I just had a check up today. I was really mad because I had to go back after one year instead of two for my HRT.

[Radio_Lady]

23. HRT is now in the realm of questionable treatment in many ways.

I'm old enough to remember the male doctor who wrote a book which told women they would be "forever female" by taking replacement estrogen. Helen Gurley Brown told me she would be sexy forever with her "two little pills" every day.

Now, with the cancellation of the Women's Health Initiative study due to questionable (and deadly) scientific research findings, I stopped HRT because I was taking it for almost ten years. It seemed to work for me but I was afraid and still am of what Premarin and Provera will do to us.

[tblue37]

14. Anne Bancroft died of uterine cancer today. (eom)

[Radio_Lady]

15. Yes, tblue37. That's why I started this thread. Thanks for your comment.

[tblue37]

20. I thought you were referring to Gilda Radner.

Sorry.

[Radio_Lady]

22. No problem. These DU threads are sometimes out of sequence and --

I found out about Anne Bancroft this morning, and posted earlier in the DU Lounge. I've been thinking about her all day, although I've never met her or Mel Brooks -- just enjoyed what seemed to be a good marriage of two very talented people.

Have a good night.

[Virginian]

16. I feel very lucky to be insured. I was a menopause drop out.

After two years of menopause, I dropped out. I went back to a monthly cycle.
I just happened to have an appointment for my pap smear about that time. The Doctor said I might have had some residual eggs, but she wanted to do tests to be sure that I didn't have other problems.
I had to get pre-approval from my insurance company for her to do an ultrasound. The small cyst and fibroid tumor she found were not likely the cause of my bleeding.
The endometrial biopsy was painful. The results showed Endometrial Hyperplasia. When I looked it up on the internet, I found the description on a cancer website. Had I left this untreated, it may have become uterine cancer.
Now for the cure. Take one yellow pill (progestin) every evening for three months. It makes me tired. That's OK, it helps me sleep now that I have the menopause symptoms I missed out on before.
I still have a month of yellow pills before I go back to see if the Hyperplasia is gone. I am not looking forward to the Endometrial Biopsy. There ought to be a Novocain shot for that.

Thank goodness I have insurance through my husband's employer. I hate to think how long I would have waited to get treatment if I didn't. Treatment isn't all that expensive, the diagnosis is the expensive part.

We need a national healthcare system so ALL people can be as lucky as I was to catch a health problem before it becomes a crisis.

[Radio_Lady]

18. Amen, Virginian. If we ever need a better healthcare system, it's now!

Good luck with your condition. I had a biopsy and it just felt like a small couple of pinches. The doctor told me to take Tylenol prior to the procedure and I asked him for a few tablets of Percocet to get through the procedure and the rest of the day. I also used my portable disc player and a relaxation disc with soft music in the doctors office. I listened to the beautiful sounds of the Puerto Rican rain forest and just remained calm for the whole morning of the procedure. My husband came with me and held my hand. It only took a couple of minutes and the biopsy was negative. I do have two asymptomatic uterine polyps (not bleeding) and will have to have them looked at and probably removed, but there is no urgency to this. It is an elective procedure and I'm going to do it in November or December.

I hope you have good luck -- and good news -- next time.

[REP]

27. Uterine Cancer In Older Women Is Usually Caused By HRT

You are talking about cervical cancer, which is more common in younger women. Anne Bancroft was at *very low risk* for cervical cancer - she was in a long-term monogamous relationship, and very unlikely to have caught HPV, which causes 97% of all cervical cancer. She was, however, the right age to have been on a decade or so of Hormone Replacement Therapy, which is known to cause uterine cancer.

[Radio_Lady]

44. REP, can you cite your souce on this? Are you in the medical field?

Please give me some links so I can discuss this with the women I know.

FYI, I got off HRT in 2001 (after five or six years) because my mother had had breast cancer and I felt I had been on it long enough, plus all the gloomy news that was coming from the Women's Health Initiative.

The drugs did help with the sweating and panic attacks. One doctor told me I would suffer a great deal if I stopped, but I quit "cold turkey" and didn't have a problem.

[spooky3]

29. Two other reminders: bone scan and colonoscopy

I was stunned when (before age 50) my OB/GYN recommended that I get a DEXA scan and it revealed that I was on the border of getting osteoporosis (despite not smoking or drinking, eating lots of dairy products, exercising regularly, etc.). I immediately urged my sister to get the same scan and her reading was even worse than mine, despite her taking calcium/D supplements for years. The DEXA scan is painless and no preparation is needed, and the condition can be treated with prescriptions and other interventions, but it is far better to prevent problems. But the insurance companies and doctors often do not suggest a screen, unless you're presenting symptoms, such as already breaking a bone! If you are young, ask your doctor if you can have baseline DEXA so that periodic checks can catch the condition early.

Everyone over the age of 50 should have colonoscopy.

[Shallah Kali]

31. Yes colonscopy is vital as well

My Mom had one about 1 1/2 years ago and the doctor found precancerous polyps that he removed. If she had not had the exam she most likely would have colon cancer by now. She now urges everyone she knows to get examined because it is worth the discomfort and embarassment to save your own life.

[FlaGranny]

38. Colonoscopy itself is

the EASY part. The hard part is drinking all that yucky liquid and sitting on the toilet for hours. The procedure is no more embarrassing or uncomfortable than a Pap smear. Years ago, it was a totally different story. They used a large, rigid instrument that was "nasty." Now, with the modern small, flexible instruments, it's no big deal.

[Radio_Lady]

40. The liquid wasn't bad -- it was magnesium citrate in my case.

Actually, I felt rather "floaty" on a liquid diet for two days. I think I am beginning to understand how the ascetics in some cultures do their fasts to achieve transcendence.

Yes, you do sit on the toilet a bit, but the doctor told me I did a perfect prep and I could see the beautiful pink interior that has been a major part of my digestive system for 66 years! It's truly amazing.

FYI, I wanted to be a doctor, but was not encouraged like my male cousins were. I find medicine and pharmacy very interesting -- but have such a distrust of doctors these days that I'm thrilled to find a couple who are understanding and compassionate to me with all of my idiosyncracies -- mainly, a need to be in control and treated like a human being.

[Individualist]

36. Another reminder

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women.

[Radio_Lady]

41. Right. It's just hard to diagnose in women because we don't experience

exactly what men do, and we are not examined with the same diligence. How do we overcome that?

[Individualist]

45. Educate ourselves as much as possible

for one thing. Learn how cardiovascular symptoms differ between men and women. Women who have cardiovascular symptoms can insist that doctors take us seriously. If they don't, change doctors. Heart disease is too serious to be taken lightly.

[Radio_Lady]

54. Hillbilly, you're right! Beyond EKGs and cholesterol lowering drugs,

we try to exercise and keep stress to a low level. However, you can see my thread about how the doctor and his nurse entered a wrong prescription for me which increased the medication dosage more than 100%! I'm still working through this mess with this provider.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3288557

There's just too much risk in these kinds of incidents! How can I regain my trust in this system?

[Radio_Lady]

39. Just had my colonoscopy with no anesthesia. (I hate to be put to sleep!)

I watched the procedure and the GI doctor explained everything. All I felt was some cramping and I had had just a small dose of anti-anxiety medication by mouth.

This doctor was wonderful. I am an interested and informed patient and he treated me with the utmost respect. All he found was one small diverticulum (pouch) of little significance. He told me I was all set for ten years.

I had it at 65 (although I had had a barium enema five years before that) because I didn't want to be anesthetized. This guy worked with me and I really appreciated it.

[Blue Diadem]

34. hysteroscope, my gyn says it gives him a womb

with a view! They have been around a while..had a hysteroscopy done back in 98. It is amazing to even be able to see your tubes along with the entire inside of the uterus in full color on the screen. It was painless, except for the few snips he took for biopsy, but otherwise, I was able to drive myself home.

I would much rather have a hysteroscopy than a trans-vaginal ultrasound anyday!

[Radio_Lady]

43. That's cute!!! Appreciate your post, OurVotesCount-Ohio.

I have to undergo a polypectomy for two small asymptomatic uterine growths in November and your description gives this "senior citizen" more comfort that I can tell you!

My doctor did the biopsy "blind" in his office and found out --nothing. I didn't know anything about the hysteroscope, but now I have educated myself and you've helped me do that! Thanks again.

[Blue Diadem]

46. My gyn explained every step of the way,

from showing me the instrument, to telling me nearly every little feeling I was going to experience. He turned the screen so I could see everything too. It made it so much easier.

They do recommend that you have someone drive you home..but at that time hubby had only been at a new job for a week and couldn't be there, so they let me set for 15-20 extra minutes and I was fine and on my way. Their concern is that they use some kind of gas to expand things..then there is a chance for becoming light-headed when you sit upright.

Good luck Radio Lady..you'll do fine!

[Radio_Lady]

50. I wouldn't attempt to drive after taking anti-anxiety medicine --

My retired husband was with me at the last doctor's visit for the biopsy and he'll be there for the day surgery the next time, too.

By the way, I've been following the continuing political activity in your state from a distance (I'm in Oregon)-- you might want to see this recent thread from the Daily Kos if you're still tracking political topics. Interesting!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/3/151927/9044

Have a great day tomorrow!

[yorkiemommie1]

47. daughter's friend was 20

told her dr. she was sick. he said she had nothing to worry about.

she did not survive.

[Radio_Lady]

52. What a sad state of affairs. My condolences to her family --

without any details, I just don't know what else to say.

My daughter lost a friend to cancer when she was 21 and in college. The cancer was found in a grapefruit-sized tumor in her back, near her spine. She survived more than 30 hospitalizations before succumbing to cancer. Dear Ann -- we will never forget you.

[Maru Kitteh]

48. Could I have some health insurance first please?

I can't afford tests. And pray tell what I would do if I found cancer? Couldn't afford the treatment either, so what good would the test do me?

[Radio_Lady]

51. Veganistan, please see the earlier posts on this thread.

We discussed this difficult situation and I feel very bad for you, one of 45 million other Americans without health insurance.

Others have suggested contacting Planned Parenthood for at least some of the testing. I have no idea what kind of health you are in, how old you are or what your circumstances are -- or where you are located, but you can feel free to read my story up above and send me a personal message if you wish.

In peace,

Radio Lady

[FlaGranny]

59. I understand how you feel -

I have been without health insurance for the past 2 years and am just now starting on Medicare. I have had long, long periods in my life without health insurance. It is a very scarey way to live. I've been lucky that every single time I have had to be admitted to the hospital, it was when I was insured. Not everyone is that lucky.

[Sparkly]

53. Thank you. My grandmother died young from uterine cancer

and left six children orphaned.

My father remembers her lying on the sofa in pain, not knowing what was wrong with her, and how she encouraged him to play the piano because it made her feel better.

One day he came home from school, and she was just gone.

He became a concert pianist and professor, and his music was all wrapped up in the pain of playing for her, and losing her. Uterine cancer is one type I'm told is not hereditary, but the tragedy definitely was.

Don't put off the PAP smears!!

[Radio_Lady]

55. One respondent explained that PAP tests are great -- however,

they would miss uterine cancer. Up this thread, please see other people's comments, as well as mine, about this. There is a lot to know.

I had a negative PAP, but I asked them to do a transuterine sonogram (in addition to a full colonoscopy) just to clear up the situation because I was having bowel problems. The sonogram found what they thought was thickening in the uterine walls, but a "blind" biopsy showed nothing.

Then, they did another sonogram in which they inflated the uterus with a saline solution. (Neither procedure was uncomfortable at all.) Result: they see two small polyps, non bleeding, which they can take out and biopsy -- hopefully in a simple procedure on an outpatient basis. There is not much data on whether asymptomatic (non-bleeding) polyps proceed to cancer, but it's best to know what you've got.

My health plan isn't the greatest, but it's better than nothing and all we can afford right now. I find sources on the Internet are a great help to understanding what's happening in medicine. Also, I am able to email my primary doctor and he responds quite promptly with suggestions and comments.

[Sparkly]

57. Whoa!

So PAPs don't test for uterine cancer, only cervical?

If the test for uterine cancer is the sonogram you're describing, how does one know to ask for that? (What kinds of "bowel problems" are symptoms, or are there other symptoms?)

Thanks, Radio Lady! :)

[Radio_Lady]

60. Sparkly, you can start by checking out my first post which shows

a website that was helpful.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/u/uterine_cancer/intro.htm

Then do a Google search on "uterine cancer" as I did and follow those links. There is much to know -- I'm still learning at age 66!

In peace,

Radio Lady

[Radio_Lady]

56. Sparkly, your story brought tears to my eyes -- how sad!

We are lucky to live in an era where correct diagnosis and treatment of problems with our female organs is possible -- now we have to get a method of covering the costs for all Americans. It's working in other countries, but we have a long way to go in this country.

Thanks for sharing this sad story. I love the piano -- studied it for a while, but wasn't very talented. Now I listen to classical music on the radio whenever I can.

[Sparkly]

58. Aw..., thanks!!

I wonder whether people would have told him what was happening to her if it weren't considered a "Woman Thing" that boys shouldn't know about. (This was back in the 1920s.)

She clearly knew she was dying, because she made plans for all her six children to live with different people. One of my sisters and I plan to visit one last living relative in August and get any stories or info we can about her, as we know so little.

I still don't understand how they knew it was uterine cancer back then?