Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Katty on March 08, 2017, 11:04:47 AM
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I will be 55 this summer and have received a letter to attend for breast screening. I am weighing up the situation. It appears women can end up having treatment in cases where it is not necessary. Did anyone on here elect not to attend?
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I've always attended. My SIL died from breast cancer before 50. This was my main reason. I was first screened at 50.
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Hi Katty
I've always gone to my checks and indeed had a couple of lump scares in my 30s that had to checked and biopsied.
There are always scare stories around with everything. If you have your mammogram it is entirely up to you whether you accept treatment if something is found to be amiss. At that stage then you could research as necessary.
It's not terribly comfortable but over and done with quickly. Have to say they've been a whole lot less uncomfortable since breasts aren't engorged with hormonal activity!!
I wish you well.
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I had a lump screened and biopsied a few years ago (all clear), then last year was invited to attend routine screening at the age of 48 as part of a trial into extending the screening programme - I went with no hesitation.
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My 64 year old friends just had a mammogram and was recalled, they have found a cancerous lump and she's having it removed and chemotherapy. However she can not feel this lump at all and if she hadn't went for her mammogram it could have got worse.
I believe in screening but that's just me
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Having had a sister, who died from breast cancer age 50, I haven't hesitated. I have had scares when much younger and a recall at my last routine mammogram. They needed a more comprehensive view of a change from previous mammograms. Although I was naturally worried, it gives me more confidence at how carefully they scrutinise and compare mammograms.
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Thank you for your replies. I think what Elizabethrose said was interesting. I could always think about the next steps if anything was found. I too have had friends and colleagues affected by breast cancer. In truth my life is far from perfect and I'm not sure I'd want the treatment if anything was found. It would just be something else that went wrong.
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Yes I am in the UK. I remember getting a letter a few years back and the appointment got forgotten about because I was in the midst of family turmoil
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I have attended because it is part of an on-going method of seeing how often and if ladies are found with cancer in the breast. This isn't the highest killing cancer of course ....... but has a high profile.
My Mum had a routine mammogram at age 65 and a cancerous lump was seen, breast was removed and she needed no further treatment. My own lump however was found on palpation, despite having regular screening. It went to histology and 'changes' were found which were un-expected.
I never felt rushed into making decisions about whether to have the 2nd lot of surgery and appropriate treatment. My Surgeon told me 'that ladies with this type of lump do not need mastectomy but if in 18 months you are worried then we will discuss this, in the meantime I recommend C, D, F." Still here >wave<
We have the opportunity in the UK to attend various screening programmes. Those in the Middle East do not. I have been told that mammograms are giving radiation un-necessarily but most of us have TVs and lap-tops, do we not ;-)
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Although various research has shown that routine mammograms can lead to unnecessary treatments I think this tended to be in older group where even if the lump was non benign you were more likely to die of something else before it killed you- I would certainly take up the screening as treatment is often successful should anything be found - I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and only wish that early detection was an option as the survival rates compared to breast cancer which has routine active surveillance are rubbish - as has been said , detection doesn't mean you have to have treatment if you don't want, though I've yet to meet anyone at oncology unit who hasn't grabbed whatever is on offer with both hands xx
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After surgical intervention I had them annually for about 8 years ........ I never worried that I would get an 'over dose' of radiation ::)
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I wouldn't hesitate either - even though the leaflet which came with the appointment gave the stats which indicated that a proportion would receive treatment (lumpectomy/chemotherapy) for a cancer which would never have caused problems (can't remember the details). I also have had lumpy breast and two lumps in my 30's - a fibroadenoma - which they looked at on U/S (and followed up with U/S to see if it had grown) but no biopsy or treatment, and a galactocoele (milk lump) which disappeared eventually. Even though I'm on HRT which makes breast tissue more dense and therefore somewhat more difficult to assess for problematic areas - I would still always go for the mammograms. I've had 4 so far - or 5 including a recall. In my rural area (small market town) it would only be 3 years even if you missed one because the huge unit comes and parks in Tesco car park once every 3 years so everyone is called at the same time over a period of a few months! I have never found it painful - just a squished feeling.
Hurdity x
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I refused my first 3 years ago as I was in the midst of great family turmoil and couldn't stand any more stress.
I had another invite for December just gone, so just under 3 years even though I refused the one previously.
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I would not hesitate, be so greatful for this opportunity, it really is not a big deal.
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Yes I wondered if it it varied from health authority to health authority!
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There is a lot of controversy around mammograms...and my GP even agreed with me when I mentioned my concerns.
I am willing to have a mammogram even with the controversy around that...my major concern is they find something and then want to stop my HRT!!! :o :o :o I had no quality of life prior to HRT and felt life was not worth living. So based on that, I have decided to not go for a mammogram at the moment. But this is my personal decision...
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That is the same fear I hold Matilda :(
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I had oestrogen dominant lump removed in the 1990s and if I had been suffering half of what some of you here feel, I would have DEMANDED HRT! after all, that bus might be along !!!! Quality of Life is important. Pity there isn't a dedicated Trial/Research to chart ladies who have to take HRT regardless :-\
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Yes I am in the UK. I remember getting a letter a few years back and the appointment got forgotten about because I was in the midst of family turmoil
I was called up 2 years ago and had the stress of being called back as they were suspicious about a possible lump. Fortunately a false alarm but I will go back next time.
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I get bowel screening tests to do at home as well ::) ...........
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I understand that mathilda. However, I am also worried they will stop it if I do not tick that box.
I have found that how much it hurts depends on which screener you get in the mobile unit. Screener one squashes boobs so hard it is like a Chinese burn, that grows the longer it is squashed.
Screener two - nothing at all nada..... I thought I was going to get number 1 again, and after listening to her put a disabled woman through it, nearly put my clothes back on last time. :'( But I got number 2 :)
The radiographer at the breast clinic who did lots of awkward follow ups when I got recalled was absolutely brilliant.
I have another year before I have to go through this decision stuff again - hoping screener 1 will have moved on ::) . Not sure how it changes with change of surgery though?
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No never attended and never would same for smear tests risks of over treatment and stress are too great for me.
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Same here. Missed a couple of smears. When I eventually got one done there were very significant cell changes. Consultant told me it would've been terminal within 2 years max.
Respect your decision though. It's a personal choice
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We have a Health Service which is struggling but is still prepared to give free testing - in many parts of the World this isn't an option. My lump wasn't found on mammogram, my Mum's was ....... she's alive at 90 ::)
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I have worked in oncology and seen loads of cervical and breast cancer. I still would never agree to be screened. I find the letters incredibly distressing and pressuring.
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I find that interesting Tipsydilly. I have 7 days to decide. I had a smear test 2 years ago that was abnormal after having normal smears all my life. I eventually got to colposcopy 3 months later and everything was completely normal. The aspect of finding something that is essentially harmless does bother me.
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Katty - I don't understand this attitude of 'over screening' .......... Tipsydilly - maybe begin another thread to explain exactly what you mean :-\. I had lots of mammograms after breast surgery and have had no problems since (1990s).
Maybe Katty - have this one and then you have a basis from which to work. Something to compare against should you develop a lump/cyst?
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There are problems with any sort of screening - with mammograms it's at both ends of age spectrum as younger women are often told they are clear when in fact not due to denser breast tissue and older women may have treatment when they'd have died of old age before the tumour killed them - personally I'd take that risk and have screening - as I've said I'd give anything to have been routinely scanned for ovarian cancer - there's nothing as distressing as thinking you might not see your son graduate with his PhD x
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It is very complicated. You have to read the Cochrane review and understand the statistics.
Mammograms work better as a screening tool the older you are and the more at risk you are (usually strong family risk).
Otherwise, what they find might go away on its own or not come to anything but you would get investigated, biopsied, surgery, radio/chemo therapy and drugs that may contribute to your future demise or reduce your quality of life in a way that is not accountable in the statistics. Screening by mammogram does not result in the drop in the number of deaths that you would expect. It is impossible to quantify this accurately, and impossible to know which abnormalities will cause someone to die, so if you have the mammogram and it finds something, you just get treated. Some people prefer not to have the mammogram in the first place.
At the moment, the National Screening Committee feels that the benefits outweigh the risks for the general population.
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:thankyou:
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Too many false positives for my liking and unnecessary treatments. It is a rare cancer. Angela Raffle epidemiologist did some research you have to screen something like 1000 women for 35 years to prevent 1 case of cervical cancer. Screening is not for me. I would never agree to any screening. I get very cross and upset about constantly being harassed over my decision.
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CLKD read Dr Margaret McCartney's book.A Patient Paradox it explains the screening issues. Margaret is a GP in Glassgow. It is available on Kindle or in soft book.
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:thankyou: but I don't understand your statement: "It is a rare cancer" : :-\
Maybe it's a bit like "What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccinations" ;)
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Cervical cancer is a rare cancer with the same prevalence as mouth and anal cancer. See Cancer Research UK web site for stats.
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Sorry but I don't work on stats . ;) which can prove what ever the statistician wants to prove ...... having worked for some who were after Research Grants ::) I tend to talk to people who have real experience.
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Too many false positives for my liking and unnecessary treatments. It is a rare cancer. Angela Raffle epidemiologist did some research you have to screen something like 1000 women for 35 years to prevent 1 case of cervical cancer. Screening is not for me. I would never agree to any screening. I get very cross and upset about constantly being harassed over my decision.
It's rare in woman under the age of 25 which is why they raised the screening age but those that did get it under 25 tend to campaign to get the age limit lowered. When I was young, you definitely were invited at an earlier age than 25 although I can't remember what age.
I'm sorry you get cross and upset and constantly harrassed over your decision. Like I have said, everyone is different and it's personal choice but I think it's normal for people to ask you why you made your decision, if you don't want to explain or answer just say so.
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These are real simple stats just tell you the amount of cervical cancer in the general population which is the same as mouth and anal cancer. The stats are collected by the Cancer Research Registry on behalf of the NHS.
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Was it actual cancer or CIN3 which is different.
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I think this is a different topic as I suggested previously. Many cancers are more 'common' than breast disease but don't have the funding due to breasts being 'in the public eye' as it were so awareness can be raised: I wish that at the same time, other diseases were brought into view but as each is funded separately ::) ......... I know 3 people who died of ovarian cancer as it's known as 'the silent killer' - 1 died a week after diagnosis :'(.
I think it is importatnt for us all to keep talking and debating regardless .........
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Cin 3 cells will never revert back to normal without treatment to remove them, they'll turn into cancer. According to my consultant xx
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:thankyou:
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30% of CIN3 will return to normal my Consultant at UCLH said.
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Whoops wrong way round 70% will 30% will progress.
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Here CIN2/3 MAY develop into cancer from the organization that trains gynecologist to be Colposcopists. https://www.bsccp.org.uk/women/frequently-asked
I suspect they had CIN rather than cancer.
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Vaccine okay but would be worried about side effects and the fact protection declines after around 15 years or so.
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I was glad to be rid of my nasty cells. Wasn't prepared to sit and wait and hope that they changed back :-\
Each to their own I suppose .....
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I think this is a different topic as I suggested previously. Many cancers are more 'common' than breast disease but don't have the funding due to breasts being 'in the public eye' as it were so awareness can be raised: I wish that at the same time, other diseases were brought into view but as each is funded separately ::) ......... I know 3 people who died of ovarian cancer as it's known as 'the silent killer' - 1 died a week after diagnosis :'(.
I think it is importatnt for us all to keep talking and debating regardless .........
There is a drive to bring ovarian cancer more into public eye... Think it's national OC month this month, I know there's been lots on my Twitter feed. It is often diagnosed late hence the " silent killer" tag but it needn't be . One consultant I read blamed poor survival rates on late diagnosis due to lack of awareness amongst GPs - the symptoms are quite vague and could be any one of many things but GPs need to refer earlier nd be wrong rather than fob women off with diagnoses of IBS , anxiety , reflux etc. Mine was only picked up because I had irregular bleeding due to an unrelated uterine cancer . Although no direct family history of it ( my mum's cousin died of it 4 weeks after diagnosis after being back and got to GP for over year ) my history of endometriosis and fertility drugs might have triggered screening if a national screening programme of annual blood tests was in place. So much money is spent on breast cancer that I agree a lot of other ones get overlooked. X
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Thank you for your responses. This has raised a lot of issues around screening. It is a very personal decision. I wonder what the view really is amongst those in the medical profession. Have they got confidence in the system or do they privately opt out ?
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Coldethyl you do not need to answer this if you are not comfortable, but could you possibly describe what the possible symptoms could be or what to look out for in ovarian cancer. I always panic as I am very prone to ovarian cysts, have had them surgically removed on a previous occassion, which is what, I firmly believe, brought on my early meno. On several visits, thereafter, over the years, there have been small functional fluid filled cysts noted again, despite me being post meno and on HRT, but because the blood tests have always been normal, no follow up has been suggested, one always wonders.....so not sure really what more one could look out for symptoms wise.... :-\Did you also have cysts? Thankyou
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I was pretty much asymptomatic with the OC, Cassie- it was found on a scan for an enlarged uterus on pelvic examination.
They can often tell from a CT scan in particular whether it is a functional cyst such as you are describing or a complex cyst such as the ones I had which can be endometriomas ( I had endometriosis) as well as cancer. Both types of cysts can turn malignant , more commonly post meno so it is good to get checked out. the CA125 blood test is used to measure inflammation in body and elevated levels are indicative of cancer of ovary, bowel or womb, as well as being higher in women with endometriosis or inflammatory bowel disease.
The symptoms you need to look out for are:
Feeling full after eating and loss of appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Weight loss without trying or weight gain particularly in stomach area- that was the only thing I noticed
Increased frequency of urination
Bowel changes
Pain on intercourse
Pelvic pain
The problem is that these could be so many things and are often dismissed by GPs as minor ailments so it can be a long time before correct diagnosis is given. At surgery I had a very large mass on my right ovary but until the week or so before had no obvious symptoms- I was "lucky" in that I also turned out to have a very early unrelated womb cancer which is what took me to GP as I was always spotting. I think the best thing to do is to ask for your cysts to be monitored regularly and to ask for routine blood tests- I know that is offered to younger women at high risk so would imagine a blood test every year wouldn't break the bank and would help settle your mind.
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Thankyou Coldethyl, I appreciate your input x
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Tipsydilly - I think that you need to re-read the T&Cs as advertising is not allowed. You seem to be pushing as well as hijacking the basic theme of this particular Thread.
You could ring to ask Katty - it's something I often ask about situations if I'm not sure, even in the Vet. surgery ::). How about ringing to put your worries forwards, then decide yes or no: if you have the screening now, it will give the Radiographer something to base future investigations against should they become necessary. When the non-sinister lump went to histology and was found to have 'changes', my Surgeon and the radiographer went through my previous mammogram scans with a fine tooth comb to see if anything had been missed. Nope. But for the 3 of us it was a learning curve ........ I had found the lump on palpation. Mum's was found on mammo and was cancerous on film and clinically.
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Advertising I merely point out other point of view with academic reference! The thread is about whether to attend for screening. I am answering another Poster about do I know if doctors do not attend!
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I was responding to Katty question "Do medical professionals have confidence in the system or do they opt out".