So, checking oneself for cancer is now pornography.....

[thyme4change]

Sept 11, 2015 8:06:54 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Sept 10, 2015 20:37:59 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

Her calling it pornography makes me wonder what's going on in her head that that's what she got out of the book. I think sometimes when people raise a big ruckus about something that offends them, the publicly declared issue isn't their real issue. Something they're wrestling with themselves is really the issue they're fighting against. Or maybe she's just an idiot.

I'm guessing she's offended by the word vagina. 

Maybe she is offended by the word "finger."

[imanangel]

Sept 11, 2015 8:06:54 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Sept 10, 2015 20:37:59 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

Her calling it pornography makes me wonder what's going on in her head that that's what she got out of the book. I think sometimes when people raise a big ruckus about something that offends them, the publicly declared issue isn't their real issue. Something they're wrestling with themselves is really the issue they're fighting against. Or maybe she's just an idiot.

I'm guessing she's offended by the word vagina. 

And the fact that the lady put her finger in her vagina to look for a lump.  Because, we all know that if you stick your finger in your vagina, it is only for sexual purposes.  

[The Captain]

Sept 10, 2015 20:00:59 GMT -5 imanangel said:

I have never read the book, but it is now added to my reading list!  

Oh thank goodness!  I thought I was the only one who automatically added "banned" books to their reading list...

[The Captain]

Ok - serious question here - Yea I do the breast self exams but never heard of the, ummm, one under discussion.  Is that a new(er) thing?

[imanangel]

Sept 11, 2015 8:13:09 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Sept 10, 2015 20:00:59 GMT -5 imanangel said:

I have never read the book, but it is now added to my reading list!  

Oh thank goodness!  I thought I was the only one who automatically added "banned" books to their reading list...

Nope, the majority of my reading list is "banned" books. 

[imanangel]

Sept 11, 2015 8:14:13 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Ok - serious question here - Yea I do the breast self exams but never heard of the, ummm, one under discussion.  Is that a new(er) thing?

I haven't read the book, but I am assuming she was checking that way because she either didn't have immediate access to health care or, she really knew something was up and had to check for herself before she went in. I personally have never checked for cervical cancer that way. I really haven't heard of others checking that way either but I am sure she isn't the only one.

Can someone who has read the book chime in here?

[Deleted]

Most of us get the doctor to do it captain... That wasn't always so common, particularly for the poor.

[Deleted]

It was a great book. Can't say that scene is what stuck with from the text though...

[ArchietheDragon]

I wonder if she checked for anal cancer, too.

[swamp]

I'm thinking if you can feel a lump on your cervix, the cancer is pretty advanced, but I guess it's better than nothing.

[The Captain]

Sept 11, 2015 8:17:43 GMT -5 oped said:

Most of us get the doctor to do it captain... That wasn't always so common, particularly for the poor.

Got it.  Thanks!

[Green Eyed Lady]

Sept 11, 2015 8:14:13 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Ok - serious question here - Yea I do the breast self exams but never heard of the, ummm, one under discussion.  Is that a new(er) thing?

I was going to ask the same thing. I'm very pro-active about my health and do regular SBEs but I've never heard of doing this. Not one doctor ever has instructed me to do this. Not ever. 

[Deleted]

Yes, a swab (and a lab) is much better than a finger for precancerous cells... The stage at which most is detected these days. 

We  don't do it ourselves for this reason. Preventative care was not always as routine however.... Still might not be among the very poor.

[justme]

Sept 10, 2015 19:20:37 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Her son probably is like all 16 year olds and has an issue of pilfered Playboy under his mattress.

Hell, he may have even 'checked a girl for cancer'.

So that's what kids are calling it these days?

[Tennesseer]

Keep in mind, Henrietta Lacks, the subject of the book in question, died in 1951.  Medical /OBGYN self examination information was not up to standards as they are today.

[garion2003]

Sept 10, 2015 19:20:37 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Her son probably is like all 16 year olds and has an issue of pilfered Playboy under his mattress.

Hell, he may have even 'checked a girl for cancer'.

Or you know, goes on the internet

[Cookies Galore]

Sept 10, 2015 20:00:59 GMT -5 imanangel said:

I have never read the book, but it is now added to my reading list!  

Such a good book! Read it NOW!

[zibazinski]

It was fascinating and awful at the same time. Because she was poor her care wasn't the best to begin with. Because she was black it was even worse.