Invitation to routine mammogram (age 50) - irrational fears, please help

[Coffeepot72]

My appointment arrived at the weekend and I'm really nervous. God knows why, it makes no sense. I know that screening saves lives, so I should look at this as a 'potential life saver' rather than something to be scared about.

I have implants, and the letter says to ring the clinic and let them know, so I will do this, as I think they may use a different technique in my case?

The letter says the results should come through within 2 weeks, and I think the waiting period is the thing that worries me. I don't think you can be given your results on the spot? If I went privately, would I be more likely to get instant results?

I have had quite a few already. Firstly referred by my doctor because of a lump, went to the hospital and all was fine, I am one of those ladies that gets lots of cysts. As they come and go, and I did have some family history of early breast cancer, I had a yearly mammogram from 45 to 50 at the hospital, always seen by a nurse, and told straight away nothing to worry about, which was lovely. For some reason the scans were always really painful, I have big boobs and the squashing was terrible.

Now I am in the five year system, so recently was sent to a portacabin set up in Tesco's car park!! I had reservations, but actually the experience was better than the hospital. Lots of lovely ladies, as a pp said, a bit like a club. The technicians all really nice, it didn't hurt, as when I told her of previous experiences, she was really careful, and I got an all clear letter within 2 weeks. This is run by a private company for the NHS. It was really good.

I got a call back after my first one as they hadn't got a clear picture

The repeat mammogram was really painful! She absolutely squashed it! I would recommend taking ibuprofen before you go.

All clear, thankfully.

I was contacted within days following my first mammogram. The letter asked me to come back for biopsies to be taken and to bring someone with me. However, it also explained that in 90% of women who were called back after a first mammogram, there was nothing wrong. They just wanted to double check by biopsy as they didn't have a previous mammogram to compare it to.

At the biopsy I was given a letter for an appointment a week later to receive the results. Mine did show an 'in-situ' cancer and at the results appointment I was given a letter with my surgery date. So patients weren't expected to make their own appointments. The system flowed well so that patients didn't fall through the net. This was 2008.

hmmm... I found mammogram somewhat painful (rib bruising) so be prepared for it to possibly be more uncomfortable due to having implants.

As for cancer risk, pah. I don't believe in that at all.

BlackSatinDancer I'm assuming/hoping the surgery got everything sorted out?

I wish my SIL had gone for her routine checks. She now has stage 4 breast which has spread to her bones. Outloook is bleak for her, this could have been avoided. Diagnosed 4 weeks ago......she has had it for years for it to be at the stage it is now.