GP suggested I “pretend” I have a lump to get a mammogram – normal?!

[Gingabex]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice / others’ experiences please.

My lovely mum died last year from ovarian cancer with secondary breast cancer. She was BRCA negative. I’ve recently turned 50 so thought I’d look into getting a mammogram for peace of mind.

I was a bit surprised to find I won’t be routinely called until December 2027 for my first NHS screening. I spoke to my GP surgery and was asked to complete a detailed family history questionnaire (back in Oct 2025), listing relatives with cancer. I’ve not heard anything since, although I’ve since seen in my NHS app notes that genetic testing was mentioned as a possibility.

I had a follow-up call with a GP today and was a bit taken aback when she suggested that the “best” way to get seen sooner would be to book an appointment saying I’ve found a lump, so I can be examined and then referred to the breast clinic. That feels… a bit ridiculous and not really the right route?
I could go private, but at £200+ it does sting slightly when I feel like I should be able to access something via the NHS given my family history.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Were you able to get earlier screening or a referral based on family history alone? Or has anyone gone down the genetic testing route?

Any advice appreciated.

I have family history but didn’t get one until 52 1/2! They call women by area in 3 year cycles and I was unlucky though it was clear

I thought if you had family history you can start from 40.

Unless there’s other family members / history that you haven’t mentioned, you won’t “qualify” under the family history risk guidelines under the NHS. If you’re 50 now and your DM died last year, that makes here at least 65 when she died (?). Even if she first developed her cancer when she was much much younger, only one close relative usually isn’t considered sufficient evidence by the NHS that you may be at increased risk due to your family history. Especially when you’ve already reached 50 without any signs of cancer yourself.

If you’re worried, I’d suggest paying privately for peace of mind. Lying about a lump is completely unethical. Is it that your GP suggesting that it’s now acceptable to lie so we can all jump waiting times?! I know the NHS is on its knees but I’m seriously wtf?!!

It’s mad that you aren’t allowed a mammogram before. As you lost your mum through agynea cancer by hook or by crook I’d have a mammogram/ ultrasound every year for if I were you. It may cost a bit but it’s better safe than sorry

Family history has to be strong enough i.e. multiple close relatives.

There a strict criteria to get any test done and if you don’t tick all the boxes you don’t get one it’s black and white

I’m not saying it’s right but I’d say it’s your only option

Thanks for your reply — it does feel a bit crazy doesn’t it. I think it was the GP’s way of trying to help and they’ve sent me a link to book an appointment (which I’m not going to do).

I do understand that I may well not meet the threshold for anything outside routine screening. There is also a more distant relative (my father’s cousin) who died of ovarian cancer, but I appreciate that’s probably not considered close enough to change things.

Thank you everyone for your responses — I think I’ll look into paying privately for some peace of mind.

I have a strong family history and had the BRAC testing, thankfully negative. I had not been called up to 4 months before my 53rd birthday when I had a darkening of one nipple I was concerned about. The GP did refer me but on a non urgent referral so I did decide to pay for a private mammogram, rather than wait which was clear. Annoyingly I was telephoned and offered an NHS appointment 2 days after I'd gone for a private appointment. I'd be tempted to follow your GPs advice and try and get seen sooner.

I was screened annually between 40-49 due to family history but then was told I had statistically the same risk as the 50-70 age group so was moved to three yearly. I found my lump which turned out to be cancer two months before the mammogram invitation. It was already quite big (3.5cm) but thankfully hadn’t spread. I’m still a bit pissed off that it could have been caught earlier.

I was called for routine screening within a couple of weeks of my 50th birthday is that not how it happens everywhere?

Well 20 percent of breast cancers are in women under 50 which is about 11000 or 12000 a year and breast cancer accounts for a leading cause of death in women under 50 so you have to wonder if screening shouldn’t start earlier and be more frequent than every three years

You can have a family history but no genetic risk, which is what you appear to have. That doesn’t mean you are at any more risk than the average person. I have cancer, but no genetic risk either. It doesn’t mean my kids should qualify for additional screenings. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Best thing you can do is minimise your risk, no drinking or smoking, eat healthily and be a healthy weight, monthly breast checks. Go private if you don’t want to wait 1+ years for your mammogram to come up. Leave the breast clinic appointments for those of us with likely cancer.

This. The GP told you the box you need to tick for her to be able to send you. She would much rather just push you through too but she’s not allowed unless you tick the boxes.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, I got one via the action cancer bus. They ask for a donation but it's in a sealed envelope and goes into a box so no guilt into donating more than you can afford. Very fast and they actually picked up a different condition during the health check part that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

No genetic risk is impossible to say. You may have no known cancer gene but there are obviously genes that have yet to be discovered. It’s sensible to take family history into account.

I'm sorry for your loss. As you are 50 and your mum only died last year, this doesn't suggest a genetic risk factor. Elderly people getting cancer doesn't indicate a genetic issue, it's only people developing it unexpectedly young that does.

More and more people are getting cancer, just because we are better at treating and preventing other things. People need to die of something and those of us lucky enough to have our relatives live to old age will face about half of them dying of/with cancer. This is expected and not outside normal expectations. It is nothing to worry about.

If you have no lumps, no symptoms and no reason to worry, then 2027 is fine, it's only next year. Perhaps this is more to do with your grief, so a mammogram isn't really going to help. Take care, check yourself and think about other things.