interesting article on early mammograms
interesting article on early mammograms This was in the paper today (sorry the link is so long, but if you copy and paste into the address slot, should go through):
telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2006/04/24/hcancer24.xml
The author is a consultant radiologist, so her views are informed.
early mammograms Hi phoebe,
I have just read the artical and totaly agree that the age of breast screaning/mammograms should be reduced to 40 if not younger,(i was 35 when dx),also that the attitudes of GPs should changed,my sister who is having bowl trouble was told by her GP that at 37 she is to young to worry about it being cancer,she said tell that to my younger sister who is 36 and has breast cancer.
My mother who is 68 just happend to mention to her GP that i had breast cancer has now got an appt for a mammogram in 2 weeks time,where she would not of been offerd one as shes over 65.
I also agree with that if breast cancer is caught earlyer it would cost the NHS less money to treat.bluebell.
Not sure it would help?? hi
i mentioned this to my GP when i was diagnosed and he said that there had been a study done in I think Finland but not sure about the country. He said that they were not convinced it helped to save more lives, but i would like to know more.
Do BCC know of any studies done or research???
i had a mammogram at 38 then at 41 and they were clear so i suppose it would not have helped me.
A lady on the ward with us though was attending the family history clinic and had a mammogram which didnt show anything it was only the doctor on examination thought there was a difference from the previous year. on ultrasound examination they found one 1cm lump.
fortunately she insisted on a mastectomy having lost her mum and gran to the disease. Results were she had another 2cm tumour hadnt shown up on anything. Not very re-assuring hey.
No one could have been more vigilant than me but DR’s fobbed me off big time said i was paranoid but thats another story.
Ruth
I too have read that mammograms are not the be all end all they used to be thought of as. Many cancers don’t show up on them until quite late on (lobular for example) and there is still those in the know that say starting early and too many mammograms can actually cause cells to become cancerous. I notice that my own surgeon suddenly isn’t too keen on me to have them too often though nothing has been said.
I still can’t work out why MRI scans arn’t done routinely instead. Can someone throw any light on this for me please.
Joy xxx
Hi Joy Hi Joy,
I think the answer to your question is:
machines
people to operate them
money
PET scanners would be even more useful. They work on the principle that cancer cells metabolise glucose differently from normal cells. PET (Positron Emission Topography) scanners can track and pinpoint radioactively labelled glucose molecules around the body and spot where changes in metabolism occur. They have the potential to spot cancer cells very early indeed.
How many PET scanners are there at present in Scotland where I live? The answer is one.
Best wishes,
Sue
Info on research You may find the following of use.
Breakthrough breast cancer have the following information on mammogram trial for people that have a strong family history of breast cancer.
breakthrough.org.uk/search.rm?term=Mammogram+trial&x=11&y=9
Also
NHS Breast screening progamme have an ‘Age trial’ re mammogramms in progress.
Studies from FInland One of our researchers at Breast Cancer Care thought these might be of interest as well.
Breast Cancer Care Host
BMJ article screening in finland – these 2 don’t mention age specifically although the first article mentions the age range starting at 40
bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/321/7262/647
bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/314/7084/864
These 2 article examine mammogram programmes in Finland again not age specific
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10445425&dopt=Abstract
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10533457&dopt=Abstract
Here here!! Finally some one from the medical field has told us what we all knew. Some people have no idea how hard it is to get a mammogram. If some of you have read my previous posts, youll know what Im on about. But what I really want to know is this:
Is it legal to stop an individual being placed on the mammography list ???
Sharleen
MRI scans My surgeon told me that the problem with MRI scans is that they don’t show up cancer in situ, only invasive ones. That’s why they continue to do mammograms. I agree about the PET scans though - that’s the way forward.
Anne
i asked i have lobular cancer and was told its hard to detect.
i know it is more common fo rit to come in the other breast too hence thinking of a mastectomy to right side too but no one seems keen to do it for me.
i asked if i coudl have a scan as well as yearly mamograms and was told no they arent done.
Must ask why not i wud even pay bet i will get whatever i want then.
its a bloody mine field and makes me scared.
Ta for sites will look at them tomorrow
ruth
Especially for Sharleen Hi Sharleen
I haven’t seen your previous posts however, I guess you were refused a mammogram. I was diagnosed with advanced lobular cancer last year. I had swelling under my right armpit in 2001 and asked for a mammogram - I was 46. I was refused.
I asked again in 2003 and 2004 - I was refused. I was told in 2001 the swelling was nothing to worry about. It was just breast tissue. She said going for a mammogram would be no use as my breast tissue would be too dense. The GP in 2003 and 2004 said the lumps under my armpit were the remains of a viral infection. By 2004 I was getting suspicious so I put myself in the system when I reached the big 50 - December 2004. Only to discover I had had breast cancer for a long time and it had made its way into 15 of my lymph glands. I was devastated.
I am fighting my case at the moment. However, I have been told that it is up to the GP to decide who should be sent for a mammogram. They have so much power and are obviously not getting it right.
I think we need to fight for lots of changes in breast cancer care for the under 50s.
Take care.
Jeannie
To Jeannie It wasnt me who had breast cancer it was my mother, I just wanted to go on the screening list becasue, not sure about family history, Ive spent 7 months fighting with the regional genetics clinic, actually I have recieved a letter inviting me to a meeting with the head of service, this is becasue I went down the NHS complaints procedure.
When my mother was originally diagnosed my gp claimed not to have the authority to put me on the list, Ive since been told that proabably wasnt true. Im seriously considering legal action, surely its against human rights to deny someone preventative healthcare ???
Sharleen
Hi Sharleen I have just noticed you are in Scotland. I was told that Professor George at the Glasgow Western had a special “breast” programme that people who had concerns, family history, etc could go on. It may be worth speaking to someone in authority at a cancer hospital. They may be able to guide you in the right direction.
I hope your meeting goes well and something positive comes out of it.
Jeannie
In the glasgow area I live in the glasgow area, Im dealing with West of Scotland Genetics at Yorkhill, who are complete ‘twits’, (and they can sue me if they want!!, this is the view of me sharleen and not of Breast Cancer Care) do you know anything about this breast programme at the western???
Breast Programme Hi Sharleen
I don’t know anything about the breast programme at the moment. However, I could find out for you the next time I am up in the Western. Have you ever used the Maggie Centre in Dumbarton Road? They would be my first point of contact - they can be very helpful.
Regards
Jeannie
Please Please could you and let me know,Iwas looking at glasgow uni’s site, coz i know that prf george is based therebut there was no mention. I didnt know Maggies gave out advice, must look into that
thanks
Sharleen
Sharleen I have a tele No. that could help you but as I am new to this site, I am not sure if I am allowed to post the tele No. Let me know what I can do for you and I will try my best.
Cheers.
Jeannie
Jeannie Ive found maggies site, thanks. Im particualry interested in this breast programe that prf george is running, if u find out anyhting let me know.
Thanks
Sharleen
HI When I found my lump on new years eve i did thing where i ignored it for three weeks or so thinking it may go away,it was on the higher part of my breast…anyway as soon as i showed my G.P. he went very quiet and said “YES ITS DEF A LUMP” and i had a hospital appointment for the next week, any way when I got there my very nice consultant told me that “its a long appointment today we do all the test bar opperative so be prephared to wait around” no problem,i knew that would be better than waiting around weeks to know…
Consultant did the feel test, said was small so good, then did scan um um um looks ok…went for mammo…not clear due to position and previous breast implants, sent for better scan with top stenographer…did all the stuff …ok yes looks good…you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face…went back to consultant…big smile still…him too…needle biopsy…so painful…cried…but thank goodness…hour later news i was so not expecting after the last two hours of um good’s!!!
“VERY SORRY ITS BREAST CANCER” wow no i really thought it was a false alarm…thank god the mamo wasn’t my only test i would be sitting here now dying instead of fighting…
I’m not sure if mammos will ever be an option for me.??
The Top Stenographer said it was ok nothing to worry about!!!
only needle biopsy showed the cancer!!
what can I expect in the future??
I don’t want to sound ungrateful or anything like that and i don’t sit at home all day worrying about it, but i do have a problem …with it…
I’m not HR receptive so am having 4xepi then 4xcmf chemo then rads, I am due to see consultant after the chemo finished and I will ask him the relavant questions, I’m not sure i’l like the answer though…Think I can ask about the PET scan?? maybe more relavant to me??
take care everyone
Jax xxxxxxxx