Invite for routine mammogram. Age 48. Anxious.

[SapphireMoon]

Hi all,
Got a letter inviting me for a routine mammogram this week.
Appointment in December. I'm a worrier and know the wait for a result will play on my mind. If abnormality found I am likely to go nuclear.
Has anyone any advice?
Thank you.

[LIZS]

Chances are higher that nothing will be detected and even if you get a referral, which is days not weeks, it will be fine. DM keeps nagging me to ask for one (she and another relative both had it in 70s) but I thought the age for screening was being reduced to 47 anyway so waited, nothing as yet though.

[SapphireMoon]

Thanks LIZS. I almost cancelled because of my worrying tendencies, Christmas etc. However, as mobile unit there was no guarantee when it would be in our area again. Also I am just as likely to worry if I don't have it than if I do!
I did have painful lumpiness in one breast a few years back [bit like area of fibrous, very sore bubble rap]. GP monitored it over a month and it settled and I did not get referred to breast clinic. Ever since though, that breast is more lumpy than the other and more twingey and prone to pain during cycle.
I need to not be an ostrich I guess....

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

I think if you don't take up the invite you will have to wait another 3 years as the go on a doctors surgery rotation.
I didn't take mine up earlier this year as my husband had threatened suicide a few weeks before and my dd was in a traumatized state and I felt I couldn't cope with the worry of it all.
They were not at all sympathetic to my plight and just told I would have to wait another 3 years if I didn't attend that one.

[SapphireMoon]

That does sound unsympathetic in the extreme NK.
I was told, if I postponed they couldn't make another appointment until I rang in the New Year. Also they couldn't tell me when the mobile unit would be in my area. They did say I would be able to get another appointment though within 6 months probably.
I had a lovely woman who talked things through with me on the phone. I decided to keep my appointment after talking to her though she was aware I was anxious and may ring again.
You seem to have been unlucky.

[pinkfrocks]

Everyone worries but try to focus on other things.
Just for info- you can have these done privately if you don't want to wait 3 years after missing one. Cost varies but will be around £150-£180 and you usually get the result within 24-48 hours.

[BestIsWest]

I've just had mine. They said the result would be back in under two weeks and it was.

Everyone worries but wouldn't you still worry if you didn't have it? Whether you have the mammogram or not, the result will still be the same.

[MorvahRising]

I felt exactly the same when I got my first invitation as it was a few weeks before my 50th. I kept thinking I don't want to go and risk a bad result or even a recall as it'll spoil my birthday!

But I did go and it was fine and I'm sure yours will be too.

[SapphireMoon]

Thank you all. I will go I think as will worry more if I don't.
Been prodding round my poor breasts since invitation!
If my worrying becomes silly I will chat to my GP I think.
Thanks for your calm advice.

[pinkfrocks]

honestly, everyone worries.
Try to think along the lines of 'Deal with it if you have to...' rather than imagining the worst!

As someone else said, the mammo is not going to change the outcome of anything- just diagnose - so if you have a tiny lump i's far better found than not. So try to think on the positive side.

i have mine done privately and that's even worse because they give you the X rays to take away as your property so I spend ages looking at them wondering what I can see!!!

[SapphireMoon]

Thanks again.
I think if like a smear test would go no question. But leaflet came with the invitation which gives you reasons for and against having a mammogram.
Having a choice has thrown me.
Leaflet title is: NHS breast screening. Helping you decide.
I have kept the appointment which is next week.

[pinkfrocks]

The reasons behind the leaflet and choice is that there is a history of over-diagnosis and women have been put through unnecessary treatment. This applies mainly to DCIS where 50% never develops into full cancer but many women have been treated as if it would.

However, as my dr told me, having some kind of diagnosis does not mean that you have to act on anything- you still have choice. If you were diagnosed with DCIS you could then think about whether you wanted it treated or not.