Hi
I was just wondering if anyone’s had to wait 3 years (especially in Gloucestershire) before having their 1st call for a mammogram or if it’s usually sooner. The guidelines say you will have it by your 53rd birthday.
I’ve had a niggle that for peace of mind would like checked but cannot get further than my GP and as I hit 50 in April, I’m due for a mammogram.
I don’t feel I want to wait 3 years and would rather pay for a private mammogram if it’s likely to take that long.
Sandra
My sister had her first mammogram on her actual 50th birthday. When I was 50 two years later I asked when I would be having my mammogram (my sister is at the same surgery as me). I was told you have to wait until the screening unit calls patients from your doctor’s surgery - it travels around the area. I didn’t have my mammogram until I was 51 and a few months. I was diagnosed with DCIS with that mammogram! At the breast clinic I saw some people I know who had been referred for further tests after a routine mammogram so that confirmed that patients over 50 at the same surgery are screened at the same time.
When I asked when I would be having my first routine mammogram I was told that if I had any concerns I shouldn’t wait for that and go to see my gp instead. I didn’t have any concerns at the time I was just wondering when I would get the appointment. If you aren’t having any luck with this particular gp it might be worth seeing another doctor. Don’t wait for the routine screening if you are concerned about anything.
Hope that helps. (I live in Cheshire)
Maude xx
Hello Sandra
One of my friends had to wait more than two years after her 50th birthday before her first mammogram appointment arrived. As Maude says in the posting above it’s a matter of where you live as the unit sends appointments for patients from each surgery in turn.
If you’ve ‘had a niggle’ then go back to your GP and say you would like it checked now - by a mammogram or an appointment at a breast clinic. Don’t take your GP’s word that nothing is wrong.
Even if you get your appointment soon after your birthday April is 9 months away and a lot can happen in that time. It’s probably nothing but for your peace of mind get it checked. If your GP is still unhelpful then see another doctor.
Good luck and best wishes
Anthi x
not 100% sure how it works in england but in scotland it goes by GP practice… each practice gets all their eligible women screened every 3 years.
this means if they are screen a month before your 50th birthday you wouldnt get screened until they come back again in 3 years time which would be a month before your 53rd birthday… this should still mean that everybody ideally will have been offered a screening appt prior to their 53rd birthday.
however if there are delays in the screening process or its running a month or two behind… then in the scenario above the woman may be over 53 by the time she does actually get screened.
i cant vouch for it being carried out the same way in england as i know some women seem to have mammos at 49 down south but that generally wouldnt happen here during routine screening.
Lx
That makes perfect sense. My sister had her first mammogram on her 50th birthday in July 2005, then we both went for a mammogram in July 2008 (my first, her second). We are both registered with the same practice.
Love
Maude xx
Hi Sandra I work for the NHS and have just had my first mammography as I’m coming up to 50 this year. Please contact your GP if you have any concerns and ask them to refer you straight away to your local breast screening unit or contact your unit direct and ask them when you will be called to hurry up the process. Look on cancerscreening.nhs.uk for more facts and good luck with that appointment.
Dawn
Hi
Thanks Dawn I’ll ring my surgery see if they can help, then try the screening service if I get no joy.
The problem is I’ve had a referral and was given the “all clear” and most of the time I accept the diagnosis it’s just that the mammogram showed up a couple of white spots (in breast with problem) which were classed as 2 tiny benign lumps although no biopsy was done - the consultant at the time seemed to think I’d be recalled said many times including when looking at ultrsound so I’ve been left with a slight doubt wondering if she saw something or was just reassuring me in case I was recalled and can lumps be classified without biopsy - I get the impression that they are so experienced they have a good idea but the biopsy is the definitive test!
My GP just says the hospital were happy, even when I went back with a pain that felt like a hot needle being inserted into my nipple in same breast as sympoms and spots on mammo she still wouldn’t re refer me.
I just hope I’ll be at the 50 end rather than 53 end of screening!
Thanks Maude, Lulu34 and Anthi for your replies
Sandra
sandra the first thing to remember about imagining is that nothing is 100%
some changes on mammos can look like cancer so they may know at that stage if its malignant… some just looks suspicious and need further testing and some look benign and dont warrant further investigation.
again on ultrasound some will definitely look like cancer where as some may look suspicious or totally benign.
my tumour last year was recalled because it look suspicious but probably benign it turned out to be a definite cancer on ultrasound confirmed by biopsy.
at xmas i had a lump in my scar line it looked like a cancer on mammo and ultrasound but biopsy proved it was a benign fatty necrosis.
i have just been recalled as there is a new suspicious lesion on my MRI which is again reported as probably benign… but then thats what they thought last year LOL… will hopefully know more in a week.
however generally speaking its very rare for something to be reported as not suspicious and benign looking which actually turns out to be cancer.
as for the changes on your own mammogram if you are worried why not get back in touch with the doctor you spoke to at the hospital… if you phone the hospital you can ask to get put through to his secretary…
the mammograms are double read so one person looks at them to check them and will document whether they think the individual should be reacalled, they are then second read… if both readers have the same opinion then that stands if however they both have differing opinions then a 3rd reader looks at the films independently.
fingers crossed you get it sorted out… however if your concerned about it ask your GP to refer you back to the breast unit.
Lx
Thanks for your reply Lula and good luck hope this lesion is benign as reported this time!
Most of my time I trust what I have been told it’s just that sometimes there’s a niggle as mixed messages were given (“I’m pleased but you’ll probably be recalled” from an experienced consultant said several times - her parting shot being “you’ll probably be recalled but if you’re not I want to see you again in 3 months”)
No contact from anyone, 4 weeks later made several phone calls finally spoke to BCN who said there were 2 benign lumps and would send letter. Letter came said mammo clear don’t want to see you again - even tho consultant said she did then appointment came 4 months later at which she looked said ok, Goodbye! - my list of questions went out the window as she was so dismissive - I’m not medically qualified but I didn’t need her to tell me the eczema wasn’t there at that time (although it does keep coming back just in that 1 breast).
I have been back with pain in same breast (new symptom) but as there was no lump GP didn’t mention referral.
I was (am) hoping the call for the mammo screening will come sooner rather than later (for my own peace of mind) so I don’t feel I’m wasting anyone’s time and appointments can be used for those who need it.
Anyway that’s my moan finished.
Wishing you all the best really hope you get some good news.
Sandra x
Hi Sandra774,
If you feel it may help, please give the helpline here a ring and have a chat with one of the breast care nurses, they’re here to support you through this. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000 lines open now until 5pm tonight (M-F 9-5 & Sat 9-2)
Take care.
Jo, Facilitator
The whole issue of screening is a bit contentious.
I attended regularly (at least 3 times) before being re-called. I had NO symptoms, no lump , no abnormal changes - nothing visible or palpable at all - just the abnormal area on the mammogram. Even after ultra sound I was told it had been caught early and therefore I would probably only need WLA and rads but it turned out to be an aggressive grade 3 with lymph involvement .
The point is that I had moved house 2 years earlier and because of this I was actually called for screening 6 months earlier than I would have been if I had still been with the same GP practice.
Guess I was ‘lucky’- it would be interesting to know if 2-yearly mammos would make any difference to the BC detection/survival rates- or would there simply be more people picked up with mild DCIS ?
Hi
I finally rang the breast screening unit and have been told that my screening isn’t going to be until September to November…2012 when I will be 7 to 5 months short of my 53rd birthday!
I have to say although it is within the guidelines, I am quite shocked that it will be closer to my 53rd rather than 50th birthday.
I was really hoping it would be sooner so I wouldn’t feel like I was wasting anyone’s time and resources (to get peace of mind) but it looks like I’ll have to contact my GP and hope I can get somewhere this time, the eczema keeps coming back in exactly the same 3 places around my nipple so I’ll go when it’s there, or when the nipple itches and burns or the stabbing burning pain in the nipple comes back yet again.
Many Thanks for the replies
Love to all
Sandra
Dear Sandra
I was told by my GP that I would not be eligible for a mammogram until I was nearly age 53 despite having been to my GP three times with breast concerns. Fortunately, I didn’t wait and to date I have saved my own life. I was diagnosed with a stage 3b invasive breast cancer. It has been confirmed by a independent expert that had I been referred when I first had concerns my prognosis would have be significantly better - his words not mine.
I put myself into the screening system (three days after my 50th birthday) by phoning the centre that controls the NHS Screening Programme - something like the Head Office. Mine was in Glasgow albeit I was living in Perthshire at the time. They confirmed that my name was in the system and as long as I was prepared to travel to the first available screening unit I would be seen and given a mammogram. Although this was an all round trip of approximately two hours it was well worth it and has saved my life.
I don’t know where you live but you may be able to do the same.
Good luck.
Jeannie
I’m just inspired by the strength of everybody here. Men and women because let’s face it this affects all people.