So..am starting to feel a bit picked on by my local health service, despite their assurances about "encouraging BFing mothers". I've already had to complain about my HV & GP (previous thread here) & don't feel I need to complain again..but am also feeling a bit lost and unhappy.
To briefly summarise the most recent situation, I had problems with blocked ducts from mid-November last year. After a course of antibiotics I was still suffering with general pain and morning engorgement (which was making it hard for me to sleep) & a very noticeable lump had appeared. No change after 2nd course antibiotics, so I was referred for a breast screen. I should mention that DS is now 7.5 months old, still BF & has a CMP allergy & I've always been pretty rubbish at expressing.
I was given two appointments on consecutive days. The 1st for a mammogram and the 2nd for feedback. I expressed milk for the mammogram day and planned to take DS with me for the results. However, after being kept waiting for just over half an hour (& it is a half hour drive each way to the hospital) I was sent away without the scan because I was BFing & told I would get an ultrasound the following day instead. I realised this wouldn't be ideal for taking DS with me & I managed to express just enough for 1 feed after a lot of effort. On the day, I was seen by a lovely Dr who did question when I would be giving up BFing (I thought they were supposed to encourage it as a protective factor & have to admit was expecting a bit of a pat on the back!), sent me for an ultrasound and said I would need to come back to her for results. In all this took over 3 hours, by which time DS was needing fed (pleading calls from DH in increasing states of panic!) and I was desperately asking them to hurry the process along. They only asked once why DH didn't just give him formula, as they seemed to get the CMP allergy issue. However, the scan was inconclusive and it seems I now need to go back for a mammogram and a needle biopsy. This seemed to be put down to the fact I was BFing and the consultant was even summoned to ask me when I planned to give up BFing (suggesting they would wait till then to do the checks). Am already anxious about how I will get enough EBM for the appointment, as they said I may be hanging around for most of the day.
So, after all that..my question is whether BFing is really so incompatible with breast screening? I don't want my stubbornness to put my health at risk but do feel as though I'm not being supported. Any pointers to evidence or experience would be great! I've had a scout about but can't find anything. Thanks for reading to the end!