Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

"Hat Lady" tells importance of mammograms

While there's nothing funny about breast cancer, hearing Willie Oates, "The Hat Lady", give the reasons people use for not getting tested was.

Oates, 83, was the featured speaker at the Oct. 2, Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee, sponsored by the Nevada County Cancer Society.

Along with Nancy Gardner, director of the University of Arkansas Medical School's National Cancer Research Center, Oates presented skits using her trademark hats.

Different hats were used for different characters, each character telling why they didn't want to get a mammogram or have a pap smear done.

She began with "Painful Pauline" who said mammograms hurt.

But, "Pauline" was told what a mammogram actually is and how it's done using plastic as a non-invasive procedure.

"Pauline" was also informed she could do monthly self exams to see if there was a lump in her breasts.

"Penny-pinching Pearl" was next on the list, using the excuse mammograms are too expensive and she couldn't afford one.

"Pearl", though, was told mammograms cost less than $100 in Arkansas, and during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the state, many places offer coupons with discounts for mammograms. For many senior citizens, the procedure is done at no charge.

"Pearl" learned a mammogram can be reimbursed by Medicare every two years.

"Optimistic Opal" had nothing to worry about. She took care of herself, ate right, exercised and got plenty of rest. There was no danger in her getting cancer.

Gardner let "Opal" know while she's doing the right thing in taking care of herself, her risk of getting breast cancer doesn't depend on physical fitness alone.

"All women are at risk," Gardner said, adding a person's family history plays an important role in an individual being a cancer risk or not.

"You're never to old to get a mammogram," Gardner said.

"Hesitant Harriet's" reason was the doctor didn't tell her she needed to do it, so it doesn't need to be done.

"I don't want to do it, because I do what the doctor says," "Harriet" said.

However, Gardner pointed out 80 to 90 percent of all lumps are not found by doctors, but by women themselves. "You need to be an advocate for yourself," she said.

The American Cancer Society has guidelines for women of different ages, and women need to keep their doctors informed, Garner added. "Women can help educate their doctors on mammograms."

"Fearful Frances" followed with the excuse the X-rays in the mammogram equipment can cause cancer and she doesn't want to take the chance.

"I'm afraid of radiation, and this test could cause cancer," she said.

Gardner's response was simple, X-rays are low-level radiation and the fear of getting a mammogram can kill. "Early detection," she said, "mean's smaller tumors."

"Busy Bessie" simply has no time to schedule a mammogram and wait for hours on end in a doctor's office.

However, as Gardner said, there are centers scattered around the state where the exam can be done in an hour or less. All it takes is a lunch hour to have a mammogram which could save a life.

"Bessie" was followed by "Fatal Flo" who figures what's going to happen will happen no matter what she does, and everyone will die eventually anyway.

"The survival rate for cancer patients is up," Gardner said. "Early detection means more treatment options and often the breast can be saved."

Breast size concerned "Flat Fern," who said she didn't have enough to worry about or put in a mammogram machine for the X-ray.

Smaller breasts, Gardner said, means the self exams are easier to do. She added breast size has nothing to do with getting a mammogram.

Gardner dropped a bombshell on the men in the audience saying 1 percent of all breast cancers found are in men.

"Shy Shirley" was too embarrassed to be undressed in front of a doctor and nurse. In fact, she is so shy, she undresses for bed in the closet.

Gardner returned to the topic of self exams for women who are easily embarrassed, reminding "Shirley" 90 percent of all lumps are found by women and not doctors.

In going to a doctor, she said, the patient doesn't undress in front of them, and there's a nurse in the room at all times.

"Embarrassed Emily", twin sister to "Shy Shirley", didn't want to have a pap smear done because it's vulgar, not a medical procedure.

Actually, Gardner said, the reverse it true, it's a medical procedure and not vulgar.

She again pointed out a nurse is in the room during the procedure, which is done by a doctor.

Pap smears, Gardner said, can detect cervical cancer, which is 100 percent curable if detected early enough.

"Syster Hyster" had no use for pap smears or mammograms because she'd had a hysterectomy and "the playground was removed."

Hysterectomies, Gardner said, don't eliminate the risk of other types of cancer, and early detection depends on getting a pap smear.

"Aging Agnes" was too old to worry about pap smears and mammograms. "I'm at an age," she said, "where I'm out from under the tyranny of my gonads."

Tyranny or no, Gardner said, women over 40 are at special risk for some cancers, especially cervical cancer if they don't get regular pap smears.

"High Risk Ruby" was busy having too much fun being a party girl to bother with mammograms or pap smears. "I've had more men than Liz Taylor's had husbands. When I get an infection I just go to the clinic and get a shot that takes care of it," "Ruby" said.

Being sexually active with multiple partners, Gardner said, puts women at special risk, as some diseases can turn into cancer.

And, because "Ruby" is also a smoker, her risk increases, along with the inevitability of wrinkles.

"Wise Willie" concluded the skit, letting everyone know she is responsible for herself and does monthly self exams.

"I owe it to my family and myself," she said. "Hats off to a happy, healthy life."

The guidelines provided by the American Cancer Society, Gardner said, can change a person's entire life.