Has anyone decided not to go for a routine mammogram?

[hattie43]

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 .

@RampantIvy - I guess that was private? How did it go?

Hi, @Sparks654

An ultrasound is nothing. It is just a wand that the consultant sweeps over your breast whilst looking at the image on the screen. You are reclined or semi reclined. Completely painless. They are just like antenatal ultrasounds, and the ultrasounds GPs sometimes offer. I had one when recalled after a screening mammogram and there was nothing to it.

As for the mammogram, you must make up your own mind. I am a big believer. I think it is slightly unusual to have ultrasound recommended ahead of mammogram results, so the fact that this has been done may suggest that there is a particular reason for thoroughness. Or if you saw the consultant privately, I suppose it could just be the protocol -I emphasise that I have no knowledge. At a minimum I hope you will find out why both were recommended. Best wishes

@poetryandwine thank you. Yes, I've had ultrasounds before. While I am still a little anxious I think it will be similar to the examination I had from the consultant the other week and not nearly as awful as a male consultant that caused a lot of pain many years ago (as a naive young woman I never reported this, but should have). I have faith in the team I am just nervous about the mammogram itself.

I am sorry that you are anxious about the mammogram, @Sparks654

I don’t want to make light of your experience, which I am very sorry about. I think most of us wish we had reported wrongs done us when we were younger - I do.

I also won’t minimise the lived experience of women who report that their mammograms are awful. Mine have the potential to be, as my boobs are small and dense, but my mammograms are never worse than slightly uncomfortable. My last one was barely that. When I got a clean bill of health (after being recalled the previous time) I actually wondered if perhaps the tech hadn’t squeezed the boobs properly. We can all find something to worry about.

I hope you will decide to have the mammogram but I won’t push. Best wishes

I'm not sure which comment of mine you are referring to.
I don't have private healthcare, I just use the NHS.

I didn’t go for mine. I was called in January during a very busy work period and when I tried to reschedule they could only book in for like the next three weeks or something which didn’t work. I’m 51 and the leaflet said between 50/55 for the first one so I’m sure it’s fine.

It's barbaric. There must be a better way to screen ladies.

Theres alot of preachy and bossy women on here. I attended 1st mammagram appointment this morning. It was a complete failure. I could not relax and positioning on the plates were nigh on impossible. When they attempted a compression, it was agony so brought it to a halt. The 2 staff members had no patience at all.

They don't sound very professional, and I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I have had several mammograms, and every medical professional who did them has been excellent.

I may pay for a private ultrasound instead.

No , not going to! Have all my other routine tests up to date .
Discussed with my GP and she was ok with my decision. I check myself monthly .
I’d need to be sedated to go for one (not for the physical pain - I’ve had 5 kids ) but for the anxiety over the results and the fear of unnecessary treatment .