Those who turned 50 last year - have you had an invite for your mammogram apt yet?

[DollyLostHerBrolly]

Just curious.

I know it’s not an AIBU question but this is a busy area so worth asking here.

I only ask as I know a couple of people who turned 50 this year (not in the same area) who have and it would be interesting to know if A, you’ve been invited since turning 50 and B, the area you live in (if possible).

I had to have surgery 10 years ago for an ‘issue’ that turned out to be benign but the result of surgery meant I had to have reconstructive surgery, so I feel a desire to have this check up.

I went last year for a mammogram aged about 50. I also had a smear. Both routine.
Dentist I had to wait for though!

I'd had a mammogram a couple of years before as my area is trying a scheme to catch things earlier.
I have seen something on the TV about how they're training computers to spot problems and actually computers have less false positives than humans. Which might ultimately reduce the risk of people having surgeries etc they don't need.

I think it took about 10 days after my 50th birthday for the first letter to come inviting me to take up an "over 50s plan"

I am in Scotland so not sure if it is the same but it is now 3 years and 7 months since I turned 50.

Yes, Covid might have screwed it up but with both my parents dead of cancer (not breast) I am keen to avoid anything getting hold of me and it being too late.

I turned 50 in January this year and got invite and appt in April. I'm in East Sussex.

I was 50 in Feb 2020, no invite yet

Op, breast cancer screening is the one thing you can self refer. Where I live the mobile unit comes every three years. I was just over 70 and asked if I would routinely be called again. Was told, probably not, but when I saw the mobile unit next time to ring and make an appointment. They gave me the number and that's what I did a few weeks ago when the unit was here. No problem at all. If you're a little bit anxious I'd ring.

Turned 50 eighteen months ago. Not had invite yet… (Cambs)
Interesting thread, thanks

I turned 50 in June and had my first mammogram 2 weeks ago

You don’t get called for a mammogram when you turn 50. Each GP surgery is contacted once every three years and all eligible women (i.e. over 50) are invited then.

This is something I learned recently, as I thought it was upon turning 50 too. I was 50 last April, I had turned 51 by the time I was contacted in about June this year and I went for my screening about a month later. Hertfordshire.

I didn't know that we had poo samples to do as well. Which tells you I haven't had one of those yet

I’m a mammographer, and yes it goes by gp surgery so between 50 and 53 for those not in the age trial.
It’s worth noting that after your first screen you are more likely to be called back for further assessment for something that may or may not be normal for you - could have been there years or it could be a sign of new growth. It’s hard to tell with your first screen.
Getting called back obviously causes a lot of anxiety but even if a malignancy is found, if it you’re not able to feel it yourself, then it’s likely very early stage.
Also, 3 years between screenings is too long to catch many things. So the best thing you can do is set a reminder in your phone to check yourself once a month. Not just for lumps but asymmetry, nipple inversion, a pulling in effect, an orange peel effect and other skin changes... this is the best thing you can do to protect yourself. From the age of 50 the risk increases steadily. Smoking and alcohol are big lifestyle factors, as are having relatives who have had ovarian/breast cancer.

The self refer system is only for those over the age of 70, and it is currently suspended while they catch up with the covid delay

I was 50 last month, no invite yet, live in NI.

You can book one privately if you feel the need for a checkup. Same as smears can be bought as a kit to do at home. Lots of ways to speed things up.

I only received my invite to book my mammogram two weeks ago. I will be 52 soon. Not sure if their has been delays due to covid but would assume that is why its late

I was 50 in January and have my appt next week

@mynameisbrian

I only received my invite to book my mammogram two weeks ago. I will be 52 soon. Not sure if their has been delays due to covid but would assume that is why its late

It isn’t necessarily late, you can be called anytime between 50 and 53 depending on where they are in the three year cycle around GPS.

I was almost 52 when I got my invite (earlier this year)

I turn 50 soon. Nottingham. I've had my letter come last week asking me to make an appointment.

@SpamIAm

As a few people have said, it's done by GP surgery and each GP surgery is done every three years, so you'll be invited for your first one between 50 and 53. So nothing to worry about! There are also delays from Covid, although I'm not sure how long these are in England, so it could be a little later again.

It's different from cervical or bowel screening, where you're invited as soon as you reach the required age, because in most places breast screening requires one of the mobile vans to be in your area.

I’m nearly 53 & a half though! Literally never heard of this before. I guess it could be Covid delays if I was on the end of a three-year cycle and due to have it done sometime in the last 18 months. How do I find out when it’s due in my area? And make sure I’m on the list?

50 in December and had mine yesterday. I'm in East Anglia and had it at the Community Hospital took about 10 mins. My cervical smear coincides too.

@TurquoiseDragon

I got told you get an appt within 3 years of turning 50. I had my first screening a couple of months ago, and I'm 52.

I was told the same - that they cycle the mobile screening unit around all the areas in the trust over the course of three years, so you’ll get an invitation when your area comes up - logically no more than 3 years after you turn 50.

Thanks so much everyone! I had assumed it was an automatic invite after your 50th birthday but seems not. Also good to know who to contact rather than the GP.

I wasn’t aware of the 3 year cycle so will be interesting to know where I stand.

All of you that have had the poo tests seem young so I think it must be quite variable between health trusts. It's 60 where I live.

I'm 52 and got my first invite at nearly 52. North East.

I was called early at 47 to be part of a study whereby they extended the screening at either end of the age range by 3years to monitor who else the screening might catch.

Just checking nhs.uk it would suggest that a woman will be called for the first time age 50-53. So not immediately they turn 50.

I guess I must be due a review soon...not holding my breath!