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[Jari]

Is everyone taking hrt having 6 monthly appointments for breast examinations and yearly mammograms? I see that is what the specialists recommend and wondered if this is the general rule?

[Emerald2017]

Yeah I have the same information. I am 42 and my gyn said that it's wise to have scans every 6 months and a yearly mammogram. He said that it is not to due to hrt but it is a preventative practice.

[CLKD]

I wonder which Specialists recommend this?   Thinking of the potential side effects of radiation, I wonder if one doesn't have a history of breast disease in the family whether it really is necessary?

I don't think that the NHS will do annual examinations unless there is a history of breast disease. [which I have but don't go annually any more].  Maybe ring the X-ray Dept., then let us know?  Of course, if you are paying for treatment this may well be 'recommended'.

[Emerald2017]

Yeah, he said that after 40 a yearly mammogram is recommended and a scan every 6 months is used as a preventative practice in case of an existing cancer.
Although the doc who I visit for my mammograms said that a scan every year is ok and I don't need scans every 6 months.
I choose to check my breasts more often because of my fear!

[CLKD]

I wouldn't want that much radiation in my system quite honestly.  If there is such a risk of cancer with or without HRT, all ladies should be offered yearly mammos.  I understood that it is 5 yearly until 70 unless one has had breast disease which is why I suggest ringing the app. department.  After 70 a lady has to request mammograms.  A scan is totally different to a mammogram by the way, probably means an 'ultra sound'?

 'in case of an existing cancer' - I don't understand.  'in case' - either 1 has had treatment or 1 is unaware of any existence of disease 

[Emerald2017]

I mean CLKD, according my gyns advice, that if there is a cancer, hrt will help it to grow faster. Scans have no radiation, they are simply ultrasounds. For the need for a yearly mammogram I don't know. In Greece, the country I am from, this is the basic recommendation after 40 and if there is a history of breast cancer it is recommended a mammogram at 35 as a base line.

[CLKD]

Your Gynae is out of date.  Do ask him for research evidence for his worries about breast disease and HRT.  Do you pay for treatment in Greece [and are you safe from wild fires ?  ]. 

Some ladies don't get cancer until after 35  ........  I would suggest that there is more risk from the radiation!

[Emerald2017]

Yeah CLKD, I visit my gyn privately. I am on holidays now and I am really shocked from the tragedy with fires... 

[Emerald2017]

Hi Jean! Actually in Greece there is a panic about breast cancer risks and I really don't know if it is because of the money from mammograms...My mum was on Tibolone  for many many years and had her mammograms every 5 or more years but the official guidelines are different now. I don't know why...

[Mary G]

Jari, sorry I've just seen your question on the other thread.

I think Professor Studd recommends that women who have a particular BC risk should have yearly ultrasound which sounds like a good idea.  That said, there is no reason why you can't play it ultra safe and have one every six months.

Agree that too many mammograms are not good.   I have breast ultrasound every year and a mammogram every other year - they always do an ultrasound straight after a mammogram so you never have to wait for the result. 

My gynaecologist thinks ultrasound is better than mammogram overall and far more accurate.

[CLKD]

Tnx Mary G. 

Is your place safe Emerald2017?

[racjen]

I'm amazed by the difference in recommendations, even amongst women in the UK, let alone Greece. I've had breast cancer, was diagnosed 2 years ago, and where I live in Devon it's a 2 yearly mammogram and no mention of ultrasound at all. I had a mastectomy; I guess if I'd only had a lumpectomy they'd be doing mammograms more often to check for local recurrence. As others have said, I wouldn't want more mammograms than this anyway, too much radiation and they're not that reliable as a diagnostic tool. You're better off checking yourself very regularly (I found the tumour in my breast myself) and maybe looking into thermography if you're really anxious about it and willing to pay.

[Emerald2017]

Yes CLKD, the place where I live is safe but everyone is shocked from the tragedy with fires. So many people...babies dead because of it... Now they try to find out the causes and political responsibilities...

[Milamam]

Hi and let me join in to this discussion.
I live in Bulgaria and while on HRT my gynea insists on 6 month ultrasounds  of breasts and a mamogram every 2 years. There is no firm rule here, i think it is his precaution . I see him privately. I don't have any family history of breast cancer  (thank God) but I still follow his directions anyway just to be on the safe side of mind.

Milamam xxx

[racjen]

Hi Jari, yes I am on HRT - I had a very sudden  menopause due to chemotherapy and the psychological effects have been awful, really bad depression and anxiety. The cancer was triple negative so there's no issue for me with staying away from oestrogen or progesterone. It's 18 months now since I finished treatment (surgery, chemo and radiotheraapy) and I still feel pretty awful, like I just don't really have a life anymore. My cancer was diagnosed at 49, so I hadn't quite reached the age where routine mammograms kick in in the UK; it wasn't even really a lump, just an area that felt a bit thicker than the rest. Thank god I was checking regularly....