Page 7 | Has anyone decided not to go for a routine mammogram?

hattie43 · 2023-03-09T15:21:00+00:00

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 .

jannier · 09/03/2023 18:17

Paq · 09/03/2023 17:26

I'm coming up to the age where I will be invited for screening and I'm considering not going.

I have very low risk lifestyle factors and no family history of breast cancer (sister, mother, aunts, grandmothers, great aunts, great grandmothers all fine). The screening sounds horrible and the over diagnosis is concerning.

I've never missed a smear (also very low risk) so I'm not against screening but my poor mum came out of every exam in tears and she's tough as old boots.

I have no family history either, had a lump detected for my 50th, I couldn't feel a lump it was triple negative a very aggressive form and grade 4 by biopsy the size of a 2p normally found in American black women I'm white European.
The mammogram detects lumps that could be cysts lumpy tissue etc, that's not misdiagnose it's the start of investigation.
A smear is more invasive than a mammogram

Sarahcoggles · 09/03/2023 18:17

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.

As a GP I've had a few patients with this attitude. The problem is that the ignorance stops being quite so blissful when the cancer erodes through the skin and starts oozing blood on to your clothes. Rather than being blissful, it's quite painful and nasty. I've seen that several times now.

SomePosters · 09/03/2023 18:19

This thread makes me seriously doubt my current career path toward public health communication

RampantIvy · 09/03/2023 18:20

I was sent an appointment day and time I hadn't requested. Rude and infantilising

Of course it isn't rude and infantilising. Are you always so easily offended. You sounds like hard work @ArcticSkewer .

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.

That has never been my experience @ArcticSkewer. "From what you have heard" is not a good enough excuse. You are being ridiculous

I don't need one making for me as if I am a child

But you are behaving like a petulant child on this thread. Grow up!

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

My friend had a routine mammogram recently where they found a lump way before it would have been detected by her as it was very small and very deep. It was found to be cancer.

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.

So do I @Mistymoonsinastarrysky

Not attending doesn't make any potential cancer go away, it just ensures it will only get discovered at a later stage.

Exactly @StandUpForYourRights. But the head in the sand posters won't want to hear this.

It does reduce the risk of giving yourself other types of cancer from the radiation though.

If there was an increased risk of cancer from the screening they wouldn't do it would they @ArcticSkewer?

Obviously I am biased as a very good friend has had a tumerous lump detected and treated by routine screening, but I am utterly exasperated by the hard of thinking and heads in the sand posters on this thread.

Sarahcoggles · 09/03/2023 18:20

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 )

Seriously? I've had more pain being squashed in a crowded train! Either you have the most tender breasts in the history of the universe, or an incredibly low pain threshold!

Sarahcoggles · 09/03/2023 18:21

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 09/03/2023 16:48

And your private healthcare provider will send you for one anyway if you have a breast lump 🙄

Ah but it's private so that makes it OK!!

Nimbostratus100 · 09/03/2023 18:22

fairypeasant · 09/03/2023 17:50

@Nimbostratus100 screening is not looking for advanced cancer. It is looking for changes that may (or may not) develop into something that would cause disease. Sometimes, what's picked up and treated would never have caused disease, but the treatment does. Sometimes the radiation causes disease. It's not clear cut.

More tests do not always equal better. Let people weigh up their own health choices.

but screening can also pick up fast growing, invasive or aggressive cancer.

The mammogram just indicates whether a biopsy is needed

The biopsy results will give information about the cancer, and if it is non - invasive, you are right, fewer than half will go on to kill, and if you are diagnosed with a slow or non invasive growth, you are perfectly at liberty to choose not to be treated.

On the other hand, you might be told you have a fast growing, aggressive cancer that will kill you in 1-2 years if you don't have treatment.

Then of course- if you still choose not to have treatment, that is also up to you - no one forces treatment on anyone, but you will be making an informed choice

Manybeards · 09/03/2023 18:26

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 09/03/2023 17:56

@Manybeards I give up - I can’t make it any simpler for you.

Good, I’m sick of answering you

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 18:27

RampantIvy · 09/03/2023 18:20

I was sent an appointment day and time I hadn't requested. Rude and infantilising

Of course it isn't rude and infantilising. Are you always so easily offended. You sounds like hard work @ArcticSkewer .

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.

That has never been my experience @ArcticSkewer. "From what you have heard" is not a good enough excuse. You are being ridiculous

I don't need one making for me as if I am a child

But you are behaving like a petulant child on this thread. Grow up!

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

My friend had a routine mammogram recently where they found a lump way before it would have been detected by her as it was very small and very deep. It was found to be cancer.

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.

So do I @Mistymoonsinastarrysky

Not attending doesn't make any potential cancer go away, it just ensures it will only get discovered at a later stage.

Exactly @StandUpForYourRights. But the head in the sand posters won't want to hear this.

It does reduce the risk of giving yourself other types of cancer from the radiation though.

If there was an increased risk of cancer from the screening they wouldn't do it would they @ArcticSkewer?

Obviously I am biased as a very good friend has had a tumerous lump detected and treated by routine screening, but I am utterly exasperated by the hard of thinking and heads in the sand posters on this thread.

Have you read the leaflet?

jannier · 09/03/2023 18:27

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 17:20

Anyway, I am all in favour of free choice.

If you decide the risks of an unnecessary breast removal and chemo/radio are worth the benefits of detecting a possible cancer before it is detectable by other means then that is your free choice.

It's a controversial screening campaign where staff, just based on what I have heard, treat women badly and are rude. The screening itself is often described by women as painful but those women are then belittled for saying it is painful.

If I want to make an appointment for that I am perfectly capable of doing so. I don't need one making for me as if I am a child. What kind of agency is that giving me?

In general people in the UK only post negative reviews few rarely take the time to say wow that was great service. Health wise most people are so relieved it's fine they don't think about it again. If you go on chemo sites it's full of terrible, awful, lists of side effects but if we get through it reasonably we don't put up a post so whilst some have negative experiences you can't say that is the majority that doesn't mean anyone is belittling others. I worked through chemo and rads that doesn't mean I think anyone who didn't was swinging the lead just that I was okay ish....

Sarahcoggles · 09/03/2023 18:28

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 17:20

Anyway, I am all in favour of free choice.

If you decide the risks of an unnecessary breast removal and chemo/radio are worth the benefits of detecting a possible cancer before it is detectable by other means then that is your free choice.

It's a controversial screening campaign where staff, just based on what I have heard, treat women badly and are rude. The screening itself is often described by women as painful but those women are then belittled for saying it is painful.

If I want to make an appointment for that I am perfectly capable of doing so. I don't need one making for me as if I am a child. What kind of agency is that giving me?

People with this attitude make me laugh really. So determined to defend their sovereignty against the evil NHS nazis.

I've had several mammograms - all respectful and painless. But I imagine my opinion is worthless to you because I don't go along with your "they're not making me have tests" narrative.

It reminds me of my granny who used to say "no one is ever going to get me in an aeroplane", as if there were queues of people desperate to drag her on an expensive flight!

Don't make a virtue of being stroppy. It's very teenage.

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/03/2023 18:29

No, never. My cancer was found because of a routine appointment. I may not be here now had I not taken it up.

Please go. Smear tests too.

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 18:32

jannier · 09/03/2023 18:27

In general people in the UK only post negative reviews few rarely take the time to say wow that was great service. Health wise most people are so relieved it's fine they don't think about it again. If you go on chemo sites it's full of terrible, awful, lists of side effects but if we get through it reasonably we don't put up a post so whilst some have negative experiences you can't say that is the majority that doesn't mean anyone is belittling others. I worked through chemo and rads that doesn't mean I think anyone who didn't was swinging the lead just that I was okay ish....

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That's true, and there's a range of opinions on here.

I'm talking more about friends though. They've had pretty rude and dismissive experiences.

But why, on here, are women telling other women that their pain isn't real or they must have low pain thresholds. It's unnecessarily dismissive and isn't going to convince people to go ahead. I don't know why there's such a dismissive attitude to other women about breast screening. You see it on posts about cervical screening as well - there can be no admitting any alternate viewpoint.

Even the disadvantages as listed on the actual leaflet you are sent are apparently not true, on this thread!

magicthree · 09/03/2023 18:32

Downwithallthis · 09/03/2023 15:53

No, I've never been for one and never will. I'm looking into private thermography instead. Mammograms are too invasive and painful and that's without the slight risk the radiation causes.

It's all personal choice though.

Invasive and painful??? Get over yourself.

jannier · 09/03/2023 18:32

To say they can't just send you an appointment for a smear because of periods, they don't know your cycle......and this is why so many say oh yes must make an appointment keep forgetting

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 18:34

As I said, I am more free choice. I've given my opinions and reasons. I'm sad to see other women's pain dismissed on this thread though. Luckily at least these posters don't work at the breast clinics! But women can be pretty nasty about other women's pain, in general.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/03/2023 18:34

Sarahcoggles · 09/03/2023 18:28

People with this attitude make me laugh really. So determined to defend their sovereignty against the evil NHS nazis.

I've had several mammograms - all respectful and painless. But I imagine my opinion is worthless to you because I don't go along with your "they're not making me have tests" narrative.

It reminds me of my granny who used to say "no one is ever going to get me in an aeroplane", as if there were queues of people desperate to drag her on an expensive flight!

Don't make a virtue of being stroppy. It's very teenage.

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I hope you are not as incredibly rude and dismissive to your patients’ views and experiences as you have been on this thread.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 09/03/2023 18:34

Sarahcoggles · 09/03/2023 18:17

As a GP I've had a few patients with this attitude. The problem is that the ignorance stops being quite so blissful when the cancer erodes through the skin and starts oozing blood on to your clothes. Rather than being blissful, it's quite painful and nasty. I've seen that several times now.

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@Sarahcoggles I’m sorry you, as a GP have had to witness that.
I can only reply that even if was diagnosed with cancer - I wouldn’t be seeking any treatment - any treatment just would not work for me and applies to any condition I may or may not have. If, I was so unfortunate, I would much prefer to live my life, and make my own exit from it when the time was right for me, if the cancer (or anything else) wasn’t swift enough.
But it’s my choice and one I would hope would be respected and not analysed or criticised.

Nimbostratus100 · 09/03/2023 18:34

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 18:32

That's true, and there's a range of opinions on here.

I'm talking more about friends though. They've had pretty rude and dismissive experiences.

But why, on here, are women telling other women that their pain isn't real or they must have low pain thresholds. It's unnecessarily dismissive and isn't going to convince people to go ahead. I don't know why there's such a dismissive attitude to other women about breast screening. You see it on posts about cervical screening as well - there can be no admitting any alternate viewpoint.

Even the disadvantages as listed on the actual leaflet you are sent are apparently not true, on this thread!

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You dont seem to understand - if cancer is found, you will be told if it is invasive and aggressive or non invasive.

You can then choose whether to take the risk and ignore it of have ir removed

It is up to you

HairyKitty · 09/03/2023 18:37

I hate the worry of waiting, and would find it very very hard if I was recalled for extra testing. But on balance I prefer the risk of this to the risk of discovering late stage breast cancer.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 09/03/2023 18:37

Manybeards · 09/03/2023 18:26

Good, I’m sick of answering you

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Then don’t answer!!!

jannier · 09/03/2023 18:37

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 18:32

That's true, and there's a range of opinions on here.

I'm talking more about friends though. They've had pretty rude and dismissive experiences.

But why, on here, are women telling other women that their pain isn't real or they must have low pain thresholds. It's unnecessarily dismissive and isn't going to convince people to go ahead. I don't know why there's such a dismissive attitude to other women about breast screening. You see it on posts about cervical screening as well - there can be no admitting any alternate viewpoint.

Even the disadvantages as listed on the actual leaflet you are sent are apparently not true, on this thread!

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Do you read the side effects of every medication you take? They have to list vague low risk side effects but the risk is very low...same with any test or investigation even having a tooth out could leave you in life long pain or with nerve damage how many people do you know who have this issue?

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/03/2023 18:37

Downwithallthis · Today 15:53
No, I've never been for one and never will. I'm looking into private thermography instead. Mammograms are too invasive and painful and that's without the slight risk the radiation causes.”

No they aren’t. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had, those and biopsies.

They aren’t painful at all. Much less invasive than cervical smear/colonoscopy. Would you not have those, either?

ArcticSkewer · 09/03/2023 18:38

Nimbostratus100 · 09/03/2023 18:34

You dont seem to understand - if cancer is found, you will be told if it is invasive and aggressive or non invasive.

You can then choose whether to take the risk and ignore it of have ir removed

It is up to you

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That's sadly not how it works. Did you read the links about overtreatment?

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/03/2023 18:38

Nimbostratus100 · 09/03/2023 18:34

You dont seem to understand - if cancer is found, you will be told if it is invasive and aggressive or non invasive.

You can then choose whether to take the risk and ignore it of have ir removed

It is up to you

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Can you explain why the NHS leaflet says:

About 3 in every 200 women screened every 3 years from the age of 50 up to their 71st birthday are diagnosed with a cancer that would never have been found without screening and would never have become life-threatening. This adds up to about 4,000 women each year in the UK who are offered treatment they did not need.

Is this not true? If it’s not true, please could you post the evidence?