To postpone routine mammogram?

[Worridoncemore]

I have crippling health anxiety and always get extremely anxious about medical appointments and tests, even more so waiting for results.

I have an appointment for a routine mammogram 3 weeks before I'm due to go on holiday. Therefore, the results won't arrive until days before we leave, or even after we've left. The waiting will ruin the run up to the holiday and if I were to be recalled would feel unable to go away.

I would add that I was at the breast clinic just over a year ago for a mammogram & ultrasound (all fine) as I was worried about lumpy breasts. My GP wasn't concerned but referred me for reassurance. I did call to see if it was OK to have another mammogram so soon and was told that as long as at least 6 months was fine but I was welcome to reschedule to a later date if I wished. I opted to keep the appointment but am now regretting it as it draws closer.

So WIBU unreasonable to postpone until after my hols?

That’s fine but don’t find another reason to delay the new appointment.

Enjoy your holiday.

I think rescheduling it after your holiday is fine.

I think it's fine but will you spend the holiday worrying about the fact you haven't had it?

Well, I don't really see how waiting for results is more worrying than postponing the whole thing- you still don't know either way- but if you'd find it more worrying then postpone.

FWIW I've always been told same day that everything's fine following a routine mammogram.

I would probably do the same. Recalls from routine mammograms are not that uncommon (I was recalled) so I would want to be free in case a follow up appointment is needed.

So you don't want to wait 3 weeks for the results, or possibly after you return from your holiday so you would prefer to wait months? I can't say that makes much sense but it is your life.

I’d reschedule under those circumstances. I definitely remember being asked if I’d be around for the next couple of weeks after a routine mammogram in case of recall.
Just make sure you go to the new appointment.

If you go then the most highly likely outcome is a results letter with no recall before your holiday.

If the letter is delayed then waiting for the letter is no more worrying that waiting for a mammogram after which you will have to wait for a letter.

If you don’t have it done you are 100% certain to be worrying about it on holiday.

You will know what’s best for you, but it’s likely you are finding a reason to postpone when the path of least anxiety may lie it getting the mammogram done ASAP

Thats really good service, are you in England? I thought a wait for the results to be analysed and the letter to be sent was the norm

If it's going to spoil your holiday I'd say postpone

How can you be told the same day? Don’t they have to send the scan off to be looked at by radiographers?

I might sound like an arse for this but everyone is slagging off the NHS. Yet its OK to cancel a free extremely important test which we ger FREE in this country. Re booking admin costs money.

Thanks. I was actually surprised to get the invite at all, given I'd only had a mammogram a year ago. Thought I wouldn't hear for another couple of years. Clearly, the breast clinic & screening service records are separate. Will feel better postponing & promise I will attend the new appointment. I know its likely to be fine but it's the what if, and I really need this holiday 😫

Yes, breast clinic mammograms are completely separate to those offered by the screening service and there’s no communication between them. I’ve had two mastectomies and still get screening mammogram letters, and reminders, and texts, and letters from my GP noting that I haven’t made a mammogram appointment… Talk about a waste of mine and resources! (Yes, I’ve told them -several times.)

So your holiday trumps free preventative health care. You got seen when you wanted the reassurance but now you want the free test to fit around your holiday.
Totally selfish and hypocritical.

Go.
Not knowing is worse than knowing.

Are the results not immediate? Disclaimer: I only had a non routine one, and got the results that day. Maybe different for routine.

We do take our health service for granted in this country. Wonder if there was a cancellation fee would you still postpone it OP?

That’s different. At a breast clinic referral you will get results straight away if they think it’s OK. If they don’t, you’ll be given immediate further scans, biopsies, etc.

You only get the results the same day if you have been referred to the hospital under the 2 week referral. This is in England, so don't know if it's different elsewhere.

On-site radiologist.

As long as someone is willing to wait for a revised appointment I think that's a little harsh

Way worse are those who make the appointment and don't turn OP. You'd hope that OPs slot could be given to someone else

I totally understand where you are coming from but I would just go. You will only be putting it off by rescheduling.

You will also be kept busy getting ready for holiday so less time for you to dwell on it.

Go, and then it's done.

For a routine screening mammogram? Not one done by the breast clinic? I’ve never heard of that. I’ve had lots of mammograms and breast cancer twice, and it’s very different how and when results are given.

Yes, at the London Breast Institute.

I had my mammogram on the 26th June and got the results on the 3rd July. Exactly a week.