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Original poster

Has anyone decided not to go for a routine mammogram?

586 replies

hattie43 · 09/03/2023 15:21

I'm curious to know . I have mine next week and will attend but last time was a nightmare as I was recalled and health anxiety went through the roof . Luckily no cancer . I was reading that about 30% of women don't attend Apparently mammograms don't pick up everything and aren't foolproof , but surely they are better than nothing .

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
handsoffate · 09/03/2023 16:06

I was apprehensive about going for my first one, but it was completely painless. I know this isn’t the case for everybody though.

something2say · 09/03/2023 16:07

Thing is, yes you cam say it's for the best to go BUT some of us are traumatised and won't go. Its all well and good to say, yes but then you might die. But for some of us, given that we will all die anyway, at least we are saved some kins of indignity - and those who have not been abused may not get that. 'Indignity?! Piffle!' but not to us. And some people won't get that.

I have hated smears all my life. I go for them, I get the letter, die a little, book them in and start hating it already, HATE the process (I think I was only OK for one in all my life) and get out of there asap. I swear if I get a health issue down there I would rather die of it than submit to humiliating treatment.

I know a lady who won't visit the dentist either, point blank will not go. People like us exist.

Downwithallthis · 09/03/2023 16:07

@IceFair It's not for me. If I did find a lump I guess I'd opt straight for a private MRI.

KimWexlersPonyTail · 09/03/2023 16:09

My first ever mammogram caught my cancer in the early stages, have had a few call backs since but all okay. No m6ire painful than having my ears pierced.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 09/03/2023 16:10

I’ve chosen not to have mammograms.
I am older and have seen too many people who have had cancer both survive it and die from it, they all had very unpleasant treatment and were often pushed into treatment they didn’t want and regretted with awful side effects, both at the time and later on.
I would not attend numerous hospital appointment or remember to take long term medication - neither are in my nature, not even if my life depended on it. (I would not go on a transplant list for the same reason) So for me it would be a waste of scarce resources that are better going towards someone who can and wants to benefit from them.
My choice is to live in blissful ignorance of cancer and enjoy my life day to day.

Everyone should have a right to decide for themselves, and that choice should be respected.

padsi1975 · 09/03/2023 16:11

Whatapickle21 · 09/03/2023 15:43

I’ve never gone for one. I’ve always had really sore breasts and the tales I’ve heard about how painful the process is have made me sure I don’t want one. My mum died of breast cancer and if that’s what’s in store for me, well so be it.

It's really not bad at all and I consider myself a snowflake when it comes to pain. I have also had two breastfeeding biopsies, also not bad. A bit uncomfortable, that's all.

Elledeco · 09/03/2023 16:13

I'm senior management in a breast screening service.
Just a few comments from reading pps...
They are not invasive, ultrasound and MRI are not suitable or effective alternatives and uptake is currently only around 65%
I understand some people are aprehensive but it takes less than a minute and could potentially save your life.

whatisforteamum · 09/03/2023 16:14

I went today on my lunch break.whole appt took 8 minutes.Dm has had advanced ovarian cancer df died of cancer and my niece had a pre cancerous lump removed.Why would I not go.
Glad to be offered to chance tbh.

containsnuts · 09/03/2023 16:14

I'm anxious about mine being painful since I'm quite 'busty' several people I know with similar shape tell me it's awful. I know someone who had a cyst burst by the force of the machine and that really put me off. Hopefully I'll pluck up the courage when the time comes. I imagine a burst cyst is better than advanced cancer.

KimWexlersPonyTail · 09/03/2023 16:15

Even if you have an MRI you will probadbly have a biopsy if they find something, and that was way worse than a mammagram. The pain of mammagram in just seconds, count to 5 and its done.

JustDanceAddict · 09/03/2023 16:16

I was recalled last year after my first routine mammogram. Luckily all was fine, but it was a stressful time waiting for biopsy results.
I did find the mammogram
painful but it’s over very quickly - just grit your teeth!

TeeBee · 09/03/2023 16:16

I haven't been called up for one but will definitely be going when I am. I've had one before...they are not painful and certainly not invasive!! Your boob just gets squeezed. Its uncomfortable at most.

TeeBee · 09/03/2023 16:18

containsnuts · 09/03/2023 16:14

I'm anxious about mine being painful since I'm quite 'busty' several people I know with similar shape tell me it's awful. I know someone who had a cyst burst by the force of the machine and that really put me off. Hopefully I'll pluck up the courage when the time comes. I imagine a burst cyst is better than advanced cancer.

I'm also very busty...my experience wasn't 'awful' at all.

Original poster
hattie43 · 09/03/2023 16:21

JustDanceAddict · 09/03/2023 16:16

I was recalled last year after my first routine mammogram. Luckily all was fine, but it was a stressful time waiting for biopsy results.
I did find the mammogram
painful but it’s over very quickly - just grit your teeth!

Exactly my scenario . The time between being advised of recall and results was the most stressful time of my life . The trouble is cancer can invoke real fear because people
die of it .

OP posts:
bloodywhitecat · 09/03/2023 16:21

After seeing how my husband was treated with his cancer I have made the decision not to go for screening, I used to go, I used to have faith in the NHS but that has been eroded.

IceFair · 09/03/2023 16:22

I am older and have seen too many people who have had cancer both survive it and die from it, they all had very unpleasant treatment and were often pushed into treatment they didn’t want and regretted with awful side effects, both at the time and later on.

It's true that treatment is unpleasant. If the cancer is already very advanced and incurable then I can see a case for head in the sand. But screening is there to pick it up early, when a cure is possible.

My treatment took eight months out of my life but since then, no long term effects. My 90 year old aunt had breast cancer 30 years ago and had the full works of treatment including being on a trial for a drug that has since saved many lives (Herceptin).

RampantIvy · 09/03/2023 16:25

bloodywhitecat · 09/03/2023 16:21

After seeing how my husband was treated with his cancer I have made the decision not to go for screening, I used to go, I used to have faith in the NHS but that has been eroded.

I remember your threads. I hope you are OK Flowers

Elphame · 09/03/2023 16:25

Very much in two minds here.

I've turned down all of the invitations so far. I do cancel though rather than just not turn up.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 09/03/2023 16:29

@IceFair nice way to ignore my second paragraph.

Good that it worked ok for you and your Aunt. It wouldn’t for me - see above!

MayhemMostly · 09/03/2023 16:32

The most barbaric test a woman has to go though in my opinion. There HAS to be a better way to test women than this hideous and painful method. I walks out of my last one as the pain was too much. ( and I'm no snowflake )

dameofdilemma · 09/03/2023 16:33

Yes - I'd like to go but they've only offered appointments in work hours and I'm struggling to take two hours off for the round trip.

I suspect more women would go if there were evening/weekend appts.

RampantIvy · 09/03/2023 16:38

MayhemMostly · 09/03/2023 16:32

The most barbaric test a woman has to go though in my opinion. There HAS to be a better way to test women than this hideous and painful method. I walks out of my last one as the pain was too much. ( and I'm no snowflake )

But it isn't barbaric test for most women. Nor is it hideous or extremely painful for most either.

It is for some women, and I think tellling everyone that it is hideously painful and barbaric it not on if it puts just one potential cancer sufferer off from having a non invasive, mildly uncomfortable (for most) routine examination.

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 16:44

I was sent an appointment day and time I hadn't requested. Rude and infantilising. I can't think of another personal health appointment I am opted into that way.

I've read the staff are also rude and it hurts a lot. Wouldn't surprise me given the approach so far - it's hardly respectful.

If I find a lump I can speak to my GP or use my private healthcare to investigate further.
Routine mammograms - no thanks.

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 09/03/2023 16:45

Downwithallthis · 09/03/2023 15:58

@RampantIvy i suffer from such painful breasts sometimes showering makes me wince in pain. Having my breasts squashed between plates is going to be horrific. Out of the women I know who do attend the appointments, they have described being in tears with the pain. It's not for me.

So do I but I wouldn’t dream of missing a mammogram appointment. Take two paracetamol and 400mg ibuprofen 30 minutes beforehand.
I know two women who were early diagnosed with breast cancer at their first mammogram but who are completely clear after surgery and radiotherapy, no chemo.
I just hope that no one is deterred by some of the posters on here - a few moments discomfort can, and will, save your life in some circumstances.

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 09/03/2023 16:47

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 16:44

I was sent an appointment day and time I hadn't requested. Rude and infantilising. I can't think of another personal health appointment I am opted into that way.

I've read the staff are also rude and it hurts a lot. Wouldn't surprise me given the approach so far - it's hardly respectful.

If I find a lump I can speak to my GP or use my private healthcare to investigate further.
Routine mammograms - no thanks.

Seriously? Routine screening? Would you say the same for your DCs vaccinations? Bowel screening kits that come through the post?
Ridiculous attitude imo.