use guard when getting mammo

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Marcia527
Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
in Breast Cancer #1
I just received this in an email from a friend. Anyone else hear of it? I didn't check it out first because I thought either way we should talk about it.

Precautions re Mammograms and Dental X-rays/ A Useful Warning

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women,
thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that
the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and
mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for
your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped
around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is
something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms. By
coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but
I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer.
I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer: "I don't know. You have to
ask for it." Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask?

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  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
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    I just checked it out on
    I just checked it out on snopes and of course it's a more complicated answer than just yes or no. So you will just have to read it yourself.

    I had to answer myself because I always talk it over with myself first.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #3
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    Marcia527 said:

    I just checked it out on
    I just checked it out on snopes and of course it's a more complicated answer than just yes or no. So you will just have to read it yourself.

    I had to answer myself because I always talk it over with myself first.

    Thanks for the information.
    Thanks for the information. See what we don't know. They have the protection sitting there, but they don't use it. Why is this ????
    Kathy ~
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #4
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    Kat11 said:

    Thanks for the information.
    Thanks for the information. See what we don't know. They have the protection sitting there, but they don't use it. Why is this ????
    Kathy ~

    According to snopes they
    According to snopes they can't always be used with mammos cause it might cover an area that needs to be checked. They said to talk to the doc.
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #5
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    Marcia527 said:

    According to snopes they
    According to snopes they can't always be used with mammos cause it might cover an area that needs to be checked. They said to talk to the doc.

    I got the same e-mail from a friend
    I wanted to share this same thing.I know we need the mammos and those I never had a problem with BUT other radiation tests I am worried as most seen from another post I started. We need mammos every year and using a shield could block something.

    My last mammo in January I had to go back to the exam room.They tell you to wait till doctor sees the mammo.I waited.Then the radiolgist nurse comes out and said she needed to take another pic.Of course my left side.She knew I was upset.She told the doctor.She also showed me the area she missed and the doctor wanted to see more of that area. I guess there can be some shadow or places that aren't shown and why a concern. Putting that shield is a protection but IMO not for mammos.At the end of it all the doctor himself came out to explain things.They both treated me so kind and made sure I understood the extra pic.They understand our fears.

    At the dentist office they lay soemthing over my chest and stomach area. In fact I have a dental appt today.

    Lynn Smith
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
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    Thanks for bringing this up!
    Definately something I'll talk to my PA about when I see her for my Annual in June - Mammo isn't scheduled til Aug.

    I was told many years ago to be sure that my thyroid was kept checked as about the time I turned 2 (1948) my tonsils were taken out and then radiation was done to my throat area to keep them from growing back (YEAH WRONG - they grew back anyway - still have them 63 years later). Seems it was quite common way back then to do radiation to the area after toncilectomy. There definately was not as much known about it back then. I also had radiation that went part way up my neck when I had BC rads (that area was the second worst area of the burn). Thankfully so far have had no thyroid problems.

    Susan
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #7
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    saw it
    I actually saw this show even though I don't watch on a regular basis. Must have been vegging out after a treatment :) He also suggested that cancer survivors not get full body scans at airport security saying he wouldn't do it if he was a survivor. It made me think as I'm to be flying later this spring.

    My dentist regularly used a throat protector but I plan to ask when I go for thhe next mammogram.
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #8
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    Marcia... thanks for sharing
    Marcia... thanks for sharing the info. I am scheduled for a mammo come June. I plan to ask about the guard.
    BL
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #9
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    Bella Luna said:

    Marcia... thanks for sharing
    Marcia... thanks for sharing the info. I am scheduled for a mammo come June. I plan to ask about the guard.
    BL

    A new update for me and my ER visit
    Last night a cat bit me pretty bad.I went to ER.The doctor came out and said I needed a Xray.Well like the one post I started and seeing this article and post I told him the radiation upsets me with breast cancer.He said you get more radiation from sun.I have to disagree.It would depend on the Xray.I'm not a doctor but I know that. I agreed anyway to be X rayed

    Later the X ray tech came in my ER room.She sets the thing up to the area.Being the pest I can be I said"I have breast cancer and I get alarmed with so many X rays etc".She said Oh here is a shield to put over the front of your body.Then she took the X ray near my ankle. I felt better she considered ME but not till I said something.

    Then the last thing a male nurse comes in to dress the wound. He was nice and we talked about several things.One was of course "my radiation fears". I told him I've had enough of them but the X ray lady was nice and gave me a shield for my body.He said they should do that.I told him I don't like radiation tests.A CT scan was enough for me last year and seems I keep getting more when I don't want more. He understood what I was saying.In fact he gave me stats on CT scans. He said they have enough radiation as 400 X rays. I told him I read 300 X rays but he corrected me. I Didn't stated how many Xrays are equal to a CT scan in my post about radiation and the fears.Now this post.I felt it was so unbelievable but I read it. So not only did i read 300 Xrays,a male nurse said 400 X rays to 1 CT scan. I think that is very very scary.

    Like I mentioned dental and mammos I will get without as much fear.But just might ask for a shield at the dentist.My mammo I feel safe/safer.

    Lynn Mmith
  • 1acme
    1acme Member Posts: 77
    #10
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    skipper54 said:

    saw it
    I actually saw this show even though I don't watch on a regular basis. Must have been vegging out after a treatment :) He also suggested that cancer survivors not get full body scans at airport security saying he wouldn't do it if he was a survivor. It made me think as I'm to be flying later this spring.

    My dentist regularly used a throat protector but I plan to ask when I go for thhe next mammogram.

    airport X-Rays
    Dear Skipper54

    I work at major international Airport and every passenger has OPTION to refuse full body scan.
    If you are selected (not all passengers go thru) explained to them politely that you are Cancer Survivor and you do not want additional x-ray dose (even very small dose).
    It also help if you carry a doctor note with you.

    They have option to take you on side and pat-down (female by female) and some Airports even have small private area for private pat-down.

    Just communicate with them.
    You always have option to ask Manager or duty to explain further.

    From my experience as soon they hear word of Cancer they are quite nice and very accommodating.

    Good luck
    Helen
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #11
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    Bella Luna said:

    Marcia... thanks for sharing
    Marcia... thanks for sharing the info. I am scheduled for a mammo come June. I plan to ask about the guard.
    BL

    I didn't know about this.
    I didn't know about this. Thanks Marcia.


    Sue :)
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #12
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    Ritzy said:

    I didn't know about this.
    I didn't know about this. Thanks Marcia.


    Sue :)

    someone sent me email too
    since this is going around..has anyone here since finding this info out had mammo and requested the guard?

    Denise...

    I don't have to go for few months..
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #13
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    Marcia
    I saw the Dr Oz show a while back where he talked about the guard. The next time I have dental xrays done I'm asking for it. I had a biopsy done on my thryroid just before being dx with bc. Fortunately it was not cancer!
    Char

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