Mammograms

[237SJ]

Has anyone here ever had any luck in getting mammograms more frequently than 3 yearly? Just wondered how much of a fight would entail to get that.

[Sqad]

237.....;-).....O.K......I am waving the white flag.

[ladyalex]

Interesting about diagnosis not being linked to mammograms.....I too know of two people whose breast cancer was detected when they had their regular mammograms .
One died, the other survived.
Hmmmm.

[Clanad]

The reference, Sqad, to 'confusion' (at least here in the U.S.) is the difference in approach and opinion between The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which is a governmental body and the American Cancer Society… as noted in the article..

Additionally, it remains to be seen what effect the newly acquired (some would say instituted at gun-point) Obamacare government health package will pay for (actually, what Obamacare will force the insurance companies to pay for, since we don't have "single payer" system as does what I understand about your NHS).

[Caran]

I telephoned direct as I had a slight concern. I'm not sure how long ago a had on previously but they gave me an appointment within a week.

[Peter Pedant]

Sqad this is the first time I have seen you hoist a white flag

you confused ( haha ) a patient want and a patient need

The fact that mammography doesnt seem to work is irrelevant if people think it does and so want it.

The example from America is as usual unhelpful- the two health systems are completely different

[ladyalex]

I have been pondering this...without reading the relevant papers I have to admit....so the musings of and ABer rather than an informed poster.

Breast cancer used to be virtually a death sentence.
Back in the 'old days' not really so long ago, treatment was pretty savage...radical mastectomies, horrible radio/ chemo and not a great chance of success.
So, when people felt a breast lump there was a tendency to ignore it for as long as possible in the hope that it would somehow go away.
Then breast screening came in with all the attendant publicity. Co-incidental with this, the treatments got much much more effective and much less aggressive.
So, people saw their friends and relatives recovering from breast cancer.
It therefore was more reasonable to go to the GP as soon as a lump waa found as there was a good chance of surviving.

[ladyalex]

Sorry, pressed submit too soon.....

If there had not been breast screening and the ad campaign which encouraged women to go, there would not have been so many early diagnoses, not so many cures, so, although the screening itself may not be the cause of the reduction in deaths from breast cancer, it has contributed by encouraging people to check themselves and present themselves early enough for the current much improved treatments to save them.

Or is this just a fairy story?

[woofgang]

ladyalex, I suspect that you are right, the problem is that we will never know what would have happened.

[ladyalex]

No, Woofgang, we will never know....don't think they should stop screening, though. Don't know if people will stop checking themselves and presenting themselves early if they do stop it.....after all if it is deemed unnecessary to give mammograms, why check yourself?
I often think that the 'evidence based at all costs' brigade forget that doctoring is as much about people as it is about techniques and equipment.

[slaney]

237SJ, would your GP be willing to refer you to a Family History clinic like this one, so your individual risk and need for screening could be assessed?https://www.breast-screening.surrey.nhs.uk/userpageNoColumn.aspx?ContentID=FamilyHistory&top=10

[slaney]

This new computer...try again
https://www.breast-screening.surrey.nhs.uk/userpageNoColumn.aspx?ContentID=FamilyHistory&top=10

[237SJ]

Hello Slaney. I have mentioned it before but was quoted a lot of statistics about population statistics, family statistics, age statistics etc. Various people from the medical profession. I was at the GP with my mum the other day and she told me to mention it at the hospital but the hospital will tell me to see the GP. I think the GP is open to the idea so will I will have to go back there I expect. Apparently, it`s easier to test for the gene mutation if you have the person with breast cancer tested, then the family members. I`m not keen on putting my mum through more tests though - she`s had enough but we`ll see. I must go now - off to the hospital yet again. I don`t know which is worse, the apprehension of what the Oncologist is going to say or the nightmare of trying to park there!

[237SJ]

I missed a bit. I meant to say "various people from the medical profession have told me I should get tested"

[slaney]

Good idea - I'm sure your GP would refer you - if you scroll down you seem to fit the criteria for referral.
We know some of the genes involved, but there it's likely that there are others that have not yet been discovered so family history is important.

[237SJ]

Slaney - I mentioned the gene testing to the Oncologist and she kind of agreed with me that there is probably a gene that comes into play at a later age in my family but they either haven`t discovered it yet or they don`t test for it. The Oncologist and the breast care nurse said that (after asking me about ages etc) I am a '6' and they only test if you are a 15. I guess that`s a statistical scale that they work on. I said was it worth me having more regular mammograms when I get nearer the danger age and she said she thought that was a good idea - maybe have them every 18 months instead of 3 yearly.

[slaney]

Hi SJ - as long as you are happy with that plan. It may be worth discussing it with your GP as well.
They are talking specifically about testing for BRCA 1/2 genes I presume.

[237SJ]

Yes, they are.