Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: LizeeeH on October 02, 2014, 08:53:16 AM
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so ladies just wanted to ask you who goes to their 3 yearly mammograms and who doesn't? Im due to go again next week....its always a worry waiting for the results and if you read the guidelines they send to you its quite a alarming how many women they say go through un-necessary breast cancer treatment they didn't need, this is actually in their words! so what a dilemma....so is it yes or no?
Liz xx
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I have stopped going for mine, I made an educated decision.
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Still go for mine but reluctantly. Husband would be very upset if I didn't go but I'm very skeptical about the benefits. I had a recall for my very first one but only because the image was blurred (was not told this until I arrived at the hospital for the re scan). Now have them to keep my husband happy but if anything was ever found would be very cautious about treatments/what action necessary. It's a bit like Russian roulette. Your damned if you do and damned if you don't.
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Thank you ladies :)
well Ive just actually cancelled mine a) because Im not actually due until next feb and b) Ive just got my apt through for the xrays of my hips/knees, ankles and its the day before the mammogram appt. SO I needed to think which I needed the most and my joint pains are really bad at the mo so really need that sorting first! I said I will make apt at hospital for mammogram next feb which they are fine about.
Liz xxx
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What age do you start getting regular mammograms at? I had one 5 yr s ago age 39 as GP found lump and referred me urgently, was very scary. Turned out to be cysts which they drained but was glad they were on the ball as few aunts had breast cancer young. I thought you had to go (i know that sounds stupid no one can force you) Silverlady can i ask why you don't? Not wanting to be nosey just not clued up on pros & cons of all this, and unfortunately don't have mum or close older aunts about to ask. Must get educated on this so Im able to advise my own daughters, I always telling them the importance of regular smear tests but unsure about mammograms as i know this is X ray.
Millykin X
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I have had regularly mammograms from when I was first called, I have had so many now that after doing my research, I decided not to have any more, I just can't see how squashing breast flat can be doing them much good. I am post menopause now and don't use full HRT.
If was offered ultrasound I would reconsider.
It is a personal decision and I made it for myself I would never advise others to do the same.
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NHS Choices website says screening is offered between 50 and 70 years of age and that you are invited for your first one between the ages of 50 and 53.
It's not compulsory. You have to weigh up the benefits of early detection of a life threatening cancer, versus the possibility of treatment for cancers which would never develop beyond first stage if left alone. Hence the dilemma. What ever you chose neither course is perfect.
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Its a huge dilemma. From experience my mother went for her first mammo at age 60 in those days and they found very aggressive breast cancer that had already spread to lymph nodes but it was a type that did not form a lump just scattered cells around breast. With op and drugs she lived another 8 years, if she hadn't had the mammo when she did they said it was so aggressive she would have been dead in 6 months :-\
BUT her type of cancer was rare and I know loads of people who have had invasive treatment for DCIS which is pre cancerous and probably would have never been a problem in their life but once known they treat.
Plus a breast surgeon said to me that the cumulative doses of radiation can itself cause breast cancer and compressing a cancerous breast can cause the cancer to spread :o
Because of my mother I do go for screening, ultrasound with mammo is the best combination but not available on nhs.
I have a friend who refuses to go for screening, she is the happiest person I know!
So goodness knows whats the best thing to do ::)
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Hi
Silverlady yes it would be better for a lot of women if ultrasound were offered. What i don't understand is ...
When i had a lump they gave me a mammogram, was uncomfortable, fluid appeared on the plates they quash you with, nurse looking concerned, everyone poking and prodding asking questions, sent to other dept for further tests then through to ultra sound where they put simply scanned and said aw these are just cysts ill drain them just now. I just didn't understand it and thought why didn't they just give me ultrasound first? Obviously there are reasons.
Rosebud57 thanks for reply ye it is a dilemma I always remember my gran saying to people sometimes interfering with some things just makes it worse, I didn't know what she meant at the time as i was only in my 20s but understand now she worked as a nurse with cancer patients. I suppose everyone has to make their own choice in these things and can see both sides. Aw well something else to look forward to in life :-\
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I have had regularly mammograms from when I was first called, I have had so many now that after doing my research, I decided not to have any more, I just can't see how squashing breast flat can be doing them much good.
If was offered ultrasound I would reconsider.
It is a personal decision and I made it for myself I would never advise others to do the same.
Me too Silverlady, I declined to attend my last invite for breast screening.
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Does seem strange that they use scan after the mammogram. Same has happened to me. I found lump, sent for mammo, but then they scan you to drain the cyst. Mammograms are so darned uncomfortable. I swithered last year, but went ahead anyway. I found that not only is it the squishing which hurts, but the awkward angle in which you have to stand. I was sure I would come away with a big scratch under my boob, that was almost more painful than the xray itself.
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I had one annually, privately, following breast disease (1995): although I found the lump by palpation in the bath one night: (16.11.94). I continued with mammos annually then the distance between got further and further apart as Life took over. Now I am on the NHS call-back scheme every 3 years.
My Mum had a mammo aged 65 and a cancerous lump was detected. After mastectomy and recovery she required no treatment and is still going strong at 87.
The amount of 'rays' given are low. It is uncomfortable. However, my Surgeon was of the opinion that 'no healthy breast should have a lump in it' - as cysts can hide cancerous lumps behind and will not show on mammograms. Also, he believed that if a lady required mastectomy then ovaries should be removed too.
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Its nice to hear what every ones opinions are, Its still a huge dilemma to me, my mum only had the one routine mammo and never went back...she's now nearly 90 :) but my husbands wife (my best mate) was 45 and found a lump which grew to the size of a grapefruit within a week....sadly she died after a year of horrendous ops and pain but she was told a mammo would not have picked it up? so the dilemma continues :(
confused.com :)
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I go. Well I've been once which probably means I'm due for a recall next year. I also go for my smears and do my bowel test kit too.
It's a very personal choice but I think we are so lucky to have these things available to us now. I will encourage my daughter when her time comes.
Honeyb
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I too think that we are lucky to have the choice to say 'no'. Hopefully there is research taken from all the results which go through each year so that medics get an idea of the whys and wherefores of diseases, treatments available etc..
(My husband's wife) …………. :-\
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Its only fair to add that I have had mammograms from my thirties as a Service dependant at BMH hospitals (different practice to NHS) I also have had a breast reduction, and had one before and when healed, all that was picked up was some scar tissue, I am sure that if there was anything to be found it would have been when my breast surgeon rummaged around.
My last one left me feeling sick and shaky, I expect it was just the though of all my breast surgeons careful very clever work being squashed flat, not that I have much there now. It was then I decided no more!
I was also told that it takes about 10 years from when a cancer cell starts to divide until it is visible on a mammogram reading.
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I also had a mammo in my 30's, a locum GP examined me and one side was quite thick I told him it had been like that ages and I did do a lot of weight lifting in the gym but he sent me for a mammo any way and have had 2 lots of the 3 yearly ones but getting recalled for one cos the xray wasn't good enough ( that really freaked me!) so now it faces me again, I will go when Ive had all my xrays for my hips etc, maybe next year :)
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I had my first one this year which I found absolutely fine - no pain, slight discomfort but nothing really.
Whether the pros outweigh any cons however, I don't know but if I didn't go I suspect I would end up worrying that I had missed an opportunity to pick up any problems so I think I will continue to attend.
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I was also told that it takes about 10 years from when a cancer cell starts to divide until it is visible on a mammogram reading.
That may be the case for a minority of breast cancers but it is a VERY MISLEADING thing to say. If this were the case why is the national screening programme set at 3 yearly intervals? Surely 10 yearly would be sufficient (perish the thought).
My following comments won't surprise anyone who has read my previous posts...
Personally I wish that routine mammograms were available in UK from a younger age and with more frequency, as is the case in some other countries. That way, my large multifocal grade 3 cancerous mass would have been detected way before it was palpable by me (at the age of 47). Then maybe I would be sitting here with two breasts instead of one and a whole load more lymph nodes, maybe I would not then have had to undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy in order to stay alive.
For those of you who are wavering because of the discomfort of the actual mammography procedure, let me assure you that disfiguring surgery and other cancer treatments are a lot more uncomfortable.
The exposure to radiation with each mammogram is roughly similar to flying in an airliner for a few hours. http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/node/1154051
If DCIS is detected, a person can make a decision with what treatment to proceed. Oncologists make recommendations, patients decide whether to consent to treatment. When all is said and done, DCIS is a carcinoma, it is not pre-cancerous. If left, by the time that person returns for a mammogram 3 years later, depending on the grade, it could have become an invasive cancer which may or may not have metastasised beyond the breast.
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/about-breast-cancer/primary-breast-cancer/types-primary-breast-cancer/ductal-carcinoma-situ-dcis
By the way, not all breast cancers are detectable by mammography so breast awareness and self-examination are also recommended.
I think it's probably pretty clear which side of the fence I am on! That said, if someone chooses to opt out of mammography and/or self examination, I accept that they make that choice. For those who are interested, IMHO the Breast Cancer Care website is an excellent source of information.
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I was in no means intending to be misleading I was just quoting a fact I was told years ago by a Consultant, I assumed he meant that by the time it can be seen on a mammogram it had been there for about 10 years.
We have all given our opinions as you have.
LizeeH was posing her dilemma and we responded.
I certainly agree with what you said "By the way, not all breast cancers are detectable by mammography so breast awareness and self-examination are also recommended"
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I think screening at 3 yearly intervals is more to do with economics that what's good for the patient. I doubt if the NHS could not afford to screen yearly. I have long believed our health care is controlled by the amount of funding available and what drug the pharmaceutical companies can make the most money out of by convincing doctors we need them. But then I'm just a skeptic!!!
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Just had one recently and result came back clear.
I had my first one at 46 due to finding a walnut shaped lump which turned out to be calcification and then I had another 2 years ago because I was getting pain in my boobs. This was hormonal.
These were done privately so the one I had recently was my first on the NHS.
I would certainly go each time I'm called up.
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I agree rosebud57, my opinion is also that the 3 yearly interval is more about funding restrictions and the time will probably never come whereby the NHS can afford blanket annual screening. If a high grade breast cancer were too small to be detectable on a mammogram, by 3 years later it could be very big, invasive and metastatic.
I accept that there is only so much funding to go around. I am eternally grateful that I live in a country with an NHS - without which I would not have even survived infancy. I am also personally grateful that limited funds are prioritised so that people like me are given yearly mammograms (until age 70) because (in spite of no family history of breast cancer) I have a BRCA1 gene variation which has been detected since my diagnosis.
As the original post was about a dilemma about whether to go for a mammogram or not, I duly apologise if anyone objects to my having gone 'off topic' somewhat. I was truly shocked to be diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 47, the size and grade added to the shock and the surgery and treatment have changed my life in ways I would not even have imagined. I may be teaching the sucking of eggs but if I can spread the word about breast awareness I will - and I don't apologise for that.
Hope everyone has a good weekend and is happy and content with whatever choices they make.
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I am with tiger74 on this one, regardless of how uncomfortable or anxious the waiting time for results mammos are offered for a reason.
I have BRCA2 gene mutation and although its entirely my choice i am going through process for double masectomy and reconstructive surgery which involves a 10 hr op and they will take tissue from my buttock and reconstruct breast with it, recovery time is approx4/6 weeks. However since they can only do one side at a time i have a 3 month gap then have to go through the other side being done. The first time ignorance will be bliss, second time will be more of a mental challenge.
I wish sometimes i was more normal and just have to go through 3 yearly mamos, but on the other hand i am lucky to know this and can be proactive and hopefully not get cancer.
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So sorry to read your story tiger74 and I agree with what you've said.
I had my first one at age 52 when I was called by the NHS and have attended every one since. They have not caused me any discomfort - just a squashing feeling - and I would rather have one than not. I do examine my breasts too. They have all been clear - but prior to this in my 30's and 40's - I have had lumpy breasts. I suffered from fibroadenosis when in my fertile years, had mastitis several times because of this while feeding my babies, and have had two lumps in the past (while still fertile) - one a fibro-adenoma which was measured with U/S scan - but left untreated. The other was a galactocoele ( I think that's the word) - milk lump - on account of lumpy breasts.
I will attend any future appointments without hesitation.
Hurdity x
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Linsey....Well done you. I read lots of the details of this due to high profile celebrities. I would do what you are doing .
You are a very courageous lady....the forum has got quite a few....and I really respect what you have chosen to do.
I will carry on having my mammograms. I think they are offered for a very good reason.
Let us know when you are going for surgery. We will all be here to support you if we can.
Honeyb
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Thank you HB, going to see photos of sugeons handiwork when i get back from hol before i decide exactly which type of reconstruction i want but veering towards tissue from bum as this has effect of butt lift, might as well get something positive out of it.
I am watching a friend go thru breast cancer treatment just now and struggle with effects of her 1st cycle of chemo and its something that most people would want to avoid if they had prior warning.
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They make it very clear that mammograms are not infallible. In fact, my sister found her breast lump by self examination and yet they couldn't see it on the mammogram. Mind you that was 17 years ago. But lumps are detected and I have had scares, which fortunately proved to be benign. I loathe having the mammogram done. I find it painful, but then other medical procedures are painful and that is not an excuse for me not to have them. I have a responsibility to myself and to my family to give myself a fighting chance if breast cancer was detected.
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Hi juju. I get that tests are not always accurate, at the moment i get annual physical exam from surgeon, mamo and mri which i have to admit im not too keen on the small space you lie in but i also examine myself regularly.
All any of us can do is look after ourselves as best we can to minimise any illness so hopefully our families dont have to watch us go through tough treatment.
I too have had scares with breast lumps before i knew i had brca2 and wasnt unduly worried at time but knowing i have this gene i dont know if i will be so calm next time.
As far as i am aware after reconstruction we stop being offered nhs screening. However i am in cyprus at moment and taking time to source clinics that offer this at very reasonable prices so its something i will continue to do at least annually.
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I think they have a good system here in Switzerland. All healthcare is private and costs a fortune, but there is a charity which offers 2 yearly mammograms to women over the age of 50. Afterwards, instead of keeping the x-rays, which are your property because you paid for them, they are sent to the charity which funds research into breast cancer. And all this means the procedure costs a fraction of what it usually does. It's still uncomfortable though...
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Found this interesting
http://www.realfarmacy.com/many-mixed-messages-mammogram-benefits/
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interesting reading!
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Yes very interesting. I see this article recommends Vit D, Magnesium and omega 3. Already take these plus Q10.
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Hi im 51 and i could have started screening at 47, so fir i have declined, this is just my personal choice. We have no known breast cancer in my family and only 1 known other case of cancer. I don't smoke and only took the pill for a year as a teenager. I too eould have untrasound if offered, but even that is not perfect especially for the breast tissue of older women. I may change my view in later years though