Hi Fran106. I agree with the other ladies about a second opinion. Your former doctor said yearly, are you sure that was for a Pap smear or for a pelvic exam? ..Every woman should have a pelvic exam every single year.no matter her age. I no longer have a Pap smear since I do not have a cervix but I am diligent about my pelvic exams. The American Cancer Society changed their recommendations several years ago regarding Pap smears and currently recommend them every three years for women 25 to 65 along with an HPV test. If you have a gynecologist oncologist where you live that would be a good source for a second opinion.
- Fran106
- Coram, NY
- Member Since Oct 2011
Their Diagnoses (3)
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- Patient: Mixed Tumors, Breast Cancer
- Patient Info: Currently in active treatment (initial surgery, receiving chemo rounds/radiation), Diagnosed: about 11 years ago, Female, Age: 77, Stage IIA, HER2 Positive: No, ER Positive: Yes, PR Positive: Don't Know
- View this journey (24 Experiences)
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- Patient: Breast Cancer
- Patient Info: Finished active treatment more than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: about 11 years ago, Female, Age: 78
- View this journey (2 Experiences)
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- Patient: Breast Cancer
- Patient Info: Living with cancer as a chronic illness (undergoing adjuvant therapy), Diagnosed: almost 10 years ago, Female, Age: 77
- View this journey (3 Experiences)
Their Links
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Fran106 asked a questionBreast Cancer
Pap smear
5 answers-
ChicagoSandy
Not to pry, but how old are you, and have you been monogamous? My GYN told me at my last pelvic exam a yr. ago that if you haven't had a new partner since your last Pap and you're >65, you no longer need any more Paps after one last "baseline," especially if you culture negative for HPV. Exception is a history of multiple partners, PID, ano-genital warts or of course cervical/uterine cancer. (TMI, I know). Still get pelvic exams, of course, to check that ovaries haven't grown and no growths in uterus.
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Fran106 wrote on omaalyce's wall
Just read your bio. Sorry about the renal cancer. However i keep getting skin cancers basil, squamous and have needed about 15 removals. Dr. Feel s it can be related to the cancers
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Fran106 wrote on Cgracie007's wall
Thanks for your input. I wish i could stop Tamoxifen but i am 2 x survivor of estrogen pos. So i have to suffer with it another two years.
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Fran106 shared an experience
Side Effects (Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)): 9 years out lost lots hair, not bald. No cancer though.
over 1 year ago -
Fran106 asked a questionBreast Cancer
Rheumatoid Arthritis
7 answers-
Fran106
Reply to Omaalyce: couldnt figure out how to answer you directly. My dr does not want me to stop tamoxifen, we sound like we both had the same reactions. I cannot stop as i had breast cancer 2 times.The taxetare and other meds gave me neuropathy and hair loss. Have lots of side effects bone and tooth loss. I too feel much older and look it, for my age. I agree, having trouble going from Dr to Dr w ailments.
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Cgracie007
Fran did they ever check to see if you even can metabolize the drug? You need CY2D6 to metabolize it and when you don’t or don’t have enough is when you end up with all the nasty side effects. So you may be taking it and it’s not even doing anything positive. Take a look at the link I posted. All doctors are going to want you to take it. But the sad truth is it’s not nearly as effective as they claim. There are homeopathic ways to remove the hormones with out taking a daily dose of chemo.
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Bengal
I refused to take tamoxifen when I learned the potential side effects. No thank you. My oncologist didn't fight me on it. I had been on Anostrozole for a year and quit because of the detrimental effects it was having on me. Tried exemestane for ONE day and quit because I had an allergic reaction to it. Lestrozole was about three weeks before I said, I just don't want to live this way. I have Osteo-arthritis and it has gotten much worse since treatment. They "cure" our cancer but the never ending list of other health issues we are left to deal with is exhausting. "New Normal" indeed!
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