MRI follow up instead of mammo? cost if Private? NICE guidelines?

Hi all

 

Has anyone managed to get yearly/ bi-annual MRI instead of Mammo on the NHS (for the 5 years post diagnosis)? if not, can you pay privately but still remain in the NHS for everything else?

 

I have recently had a mastectomy after a tiny Grade 2/3 lump was detected only using MRI.This is my 2nd occurrence (first one 2008) and I was back on the 3 yearly screening programme. The mammo detected slght changes in another area of the breast . Ultrasound detected nothing . Fortunately ( and to my surprise) the radiologist agreed to an MRI as a bottom line check, when I said I’d had one before and have dense breast tissue. This detected a 0.6 mm lump in another area, which she then managed to needle test using U/S.

 

I feel very very lucky.Had she not agreed to this, I would have had a growing tumour for the next 3 years until my routine mammo. Likely mets and a much poorer prognosis.

 

 

 If my Specialist breast care centre won’t agree to NHS MRI, I am prepared to pay for annual MRI privately if necessary. Does anyone have experience of how this works and how you go about it? I have one breast and one mastectomy with no recon.

 

 

Any advice appreciated. Any experience of the Nice guidelines on when MRI can be used for screening?

 

Many thanks

 

Helen

Hi Helenclare

Sorry you haven’t had any replies to your question as yet, but hopefully someone will now see your post and get back to you.

In the meantime you are more than welcome to give our helpline team a ring and talk to them about your thoughts/concerns, they’re here to support you through this.  Calls are free 0808 800 6000 lines open weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2.

Take care,

Jo, Moderator