Breast screening for over 70s

I am 73 and knew I wouldn’t automatically be called so I rang up in May and got an appointment within two weeks. All was well I’m pleased to say.

me2u

I have not had a mammogram since the age of 70. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week.

That’s awful.

I'm over 80 and recently decided to be screened. all done within 10 days

You can just ring them to book one when you are past 70.

Hi.
Yes 2 years ago I requested a mammogram.
I was 72. Found breast cancer stage 1.
Put through the 2 week protocol and surgery then radiotherapy. Which was not nice.
Took a while to recover as other health issues but had 2nd year mammogram in January and given a clear!
Three more to go. 🙏🏻🤞🙏🏻💐

I requested screening myself in 2023. Not because of anything that I was concerned about, but because I was 75, and hadn’t had a mammogram for five years. In other words, precautionary. I was recalled after the mammogram, and had a biopsy. Luckily, it turned out to be nothing to worry about. I was told then, to be sure to request another mammogram in three years time, which I did. I had it a few weeks ago, and no follow up required.

I'm 73 and discovered this year that I can book myself in. I rang and was given an appointment for 2 weeks later. Good service.

Given that risk of breast cancer actually increases with age, and half of all deaths from breast cancer are in women over 70, I think it is very important to keep having them. In fact, I don't really see why the NHS stops screening just at the age when risk goes up. I think most people are capable of weighing up the risk of over diagnosis versus the risk of dying from the disease.

Yes, I request screening in my 70s, because my mum got breast cancer in her 70s.
When I used to take her to hospital there were loads of ladies over 70 with it.
I don’t understand why they stop doing them at that age

Not sure if it's all of England but once I hit 70 I stopped getting invites. I called and booked when I hit 73, no probs. Unfortunately with the smear that stops at 64 and you can't get another on the NHS. If you have problems in that area u have to get a gynae referral from your GP

I’ve just had my last routine one, I’m 69 and asked if I could have one into my 70’s. Like you I saved the number and have put it in my outlook calendar

I've requested it ever since I was over the age to be called. It's always done in our local Tesco carpark so quite convenient while I drive. I think it's every three years - it's on my paperwork and I jot it down in my diary when I should ring and book it.

Best wishes, I hope all goes well xx

me2u

I have not had a mammogram since the age of 70. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week.

So sorry to hear.

You are a prime example of why we should not let the NHS write us off at 70.

You can request and it varies. I elected a routine at 73 and got it. (Lump found, with immediate follow-up as benign) Now, in my area, I cannot self-elect, but it is easy to get referred but only because of my history.

I have been booking mammograms as often as I am allowed since I turned 70. As far as I know they still take self-referrals where I live but it could change.

me2u

Do you ask at your Dr's to be referred or find out the breast screening telephone number?

Thanks for bringing this up.

Marmar2 I would look up your local Breast Screening telephone number online and ask them. You may be able to self-refer.

Yes Tanith. When they stopped automatically asking me to go for a mammogram, that’s when I requested them myself!

Totally agree with AnotherBirdLady. Continued to request mammograms post 70. However, still had breast cancer diagnosis at age of 73, only eight months after the last one showed clear. It was not the mammogram but the sudden appearance of an inverted nipple that forwarned me. I had not felt the relatively large, malignant lump as it had formed towards the back of the breast.

It is possible that, in spite of knowing about the importance of screening,and very much valuing every opportunity in this regard, I did not check my breasts carefully enough myself, or as frequently as I might have.I knew of no woman in my family (over 3 generations and who was a blood relative) who had had the disease - so I believed the risk was slight. It was only later I discovered that it was in fact much greater than I thought - in spite of my family's medical history.

I was at the hospital breast clinic yesterday. Result of biopsy: Breast Cancer lump 2.5cm.
Ductal Grade 2. Hormone receptive positive.
Her2 Negative.
They will decide what the next step will be as I have other serious health conditions.
Another appointment in two weeks.

In 2000 I had a mastectomy due to cancer in the milk ducts. When I reached 70 I was told that although the recall would stop I could still request them. I will be 80 next January and have therefore continued to have them every 3 years. You just have to ring the service.

Coming up to 70 I met an old friend just a little older than me. She’d been diagnosed with cancer at her last scheduled mammogram. She advised me to request screening post 70. I’ve taken her advice, been checked and will do so again.

me2u, thanks for getting back to us.
Your results are very similar to mine. I was told I had grade 1 but the histology on the removed lump showed it was bordering on grade2. I was given 2 weeks of radiotherapy, the second week boosted. I will have annual mammograms from now on.

me2u

Thank you for replying shysal and calendargirl. Im glad what I have doesn't seem to be too advanced. All the best to you all.