Mammogram

Just coming up to my last appointment before I pass the age of no longer being called (UK) I didn’t know we were allowed to self refer, do we just contact our local hospital?

DeeAitch56

Just coming up to my last appointment before I pass the age of no longer being called (UK) I didn’t know we were allowed to self refer, do we just contact our local hospital?

Ask when you have an appointment.

I think you contact the local breast screening service for your area. I think I've seen a notice on the side of one of their mobile vans.

You contact the local breast screening service. Your surgery will have the number.

I'm in France, aged 77. Back in April thee rheumatolgist that I see sent me for an MRI. 3 working days later I had a phone call saying that he had the results and I needed to see him urgently.

He not only told me about the auto immune disease that I have, he also told me that I had a shadow on my left breast and he arranged an appointment with a gynae for 12 days later.

I had a date for the op in June but, because I had bronchitis when I saw the anaesthetist I could not have the op then.

This resulted in a change of hospital, delays because some results went missing so the next date was also cancelled. I am now having the op next week.

All the above is to point out that you might not feel anything. I didn't and still haven't but I am feeling grateful to the rheumatologist for seeing that there was/is a problem.

So, even if you are over the age for recall, try to get a mammogram.

France, 74, I am still having screening for breast, thyroid, veins and uterus plus smear, colonoscopy not forgetting bloods. I hope it continues otherwise I will pay. Prevention is better than cure, if it can be done. I deserve it.

I have had one since turning 70 , they were very nice and suggested that I have one every 2 or 3 years

Hope all goes well with your operation Dinahmo

After I was 70, I was in a group selected entirely randomly to be called for one last mammogram two years later. I went - and an abnormality was found. After a repeat mammogram, and a biopsy, I got the all-clear.
However, I realised that had I not been selected (& attended) and there had been anything wrong - I would never have known...until it was too late. I was called for a follow-up two years later - and have put a reminder in my calendar to ring to request a mammogram every other year.
Yes - ask for appointments; you might be very glad that you did..!

Please, please, carry on getting mammograms, everyone! My breast cancer was DCIS found during a routine mammogram, I regularly checked myself but I would not have felt anything until it was too late. A friend was in the same situation and was reluctant to go for biopsy when she was called back. I told her off and when she finally got treatment she was told that by the time she felt a lump it would have been too late for her. I know a lot of women find it uncomfortable but a few minutes discomfort could save your life.

silverlining48

Hope all goes well with your operation Dinahmo

Thank you

My mum was 80 when she developed breast cancer, so I intend to carry on having mammograms for as long as I can.

Good luck Dinahmo 💐

I have been given a number to call to request one in 3 years time as I will be over 70. Yes, I think it is really important. A close friend has just died of breast cancer, she was 2 years older than me.

There’s no doubt that mammograms are essential, but sadly not all cancers are detected by them.

It’s vital that we check ourselves regularly and look for signs of any changes to the skin.
Early detection of inflammatory breast cancer is critical.

Is it same for cervical screening? Can you request these after the cut off age too?

I would like to thank everyone who replied . You have all made me realize how important it is to continue to get checked. I will make an appointment.

My stepmother was treated for breast cancer in her 80s, it was found because she was still having (requested) mammograms

2507C0

Is it same for cervical screening? Can you request these after the cut off age too?

I think cervical screening ends at 65 but I could be wrong. I suppose there are medical reasons for this, mainly because the risk of cervical cancer reduces as you get older?

I'm being treated for breast cancer, a lump discovered recently following a screening which I requested, as over 71. I had no awareness, and luckily, it has been caught in time and has been dealt with quickly by NHS Tayside. Can't fault the treatment and feel so grateful to all the staff involved in this. In fact, yesterday I was in hospital for another excision to cover another small area. So, yes, definitely request a screening.

Definitely yes. I "failed" mine in 2019 and had to have biopsy then a wider angle clearance. There was no further spread and I've now had five annual mammos as a precaution, all clear. Age 70 is an arbitrary government cut-off.

It is very important. I haven’t had one since turning 70, I’m now 74 and have no one in immediate or extend family that I know of that have had breast cancer. My mum and older sister had bowel cancer so I was regularly screened for that until FIT test. Just this week I had to attend Breast Clinic as I found a lump whilst on holiday in France in mid August. I have had mammogram, scan and biopsy and consult thinks there is a strong possibility I have breast cancer. Now have to wait two weeks for results. Never give up on having a mammogram what ever age you are.

A Radiologist told me to keep on having one every 2 years even
if we are told not to bother.

i had one in 2023 at the age of 76 and will ring for an appointment in 2026 to have another.
my daughter died in april 2023 at the age of 52 from metastised breast cancer so i think it is important to have a mammogram every three years.

I rang the number for our local centre a few weeks ago to request a mammogram (I am 79), and was offered one the same day!
Got the result by letter 8 days later, all clear.
I think it's important to continue having them, although I do self-check every month.

When I reached the cut off point I had my ' last' mammogram. The lady on the reception desk said " you will not longer be given an appointment for a mammogram but you must keep coming" She handed me the phone number and since then I have telephoned and been given an appointment. It is essential that women keep attending for breast screening.