recall mammogram-decided not to attend

Please go Tilly.

I am guessing by your age that this is the first mammagram you have had, and you mean you won't bother when the next one is due. As someone who has had breast cancer, had chemo, a mastectomy and radio therapy and all the awful side effects that this entails, not to mention the absolute stress and worry not only on yourself but your family too, then I think it would be a big mistake if you decide to not bother with any more of them.
I used to get cysts in one of my breasts regularly but the breast cancer came in the other breast were I had no problems.
On my regular hospital visits it was a shock to see some of the women much younger and some older than me (70) at the time a couple of years ago. Also a very little known fact is that men can get breast cancer too, admittedly a very much smaller proportion than women.
Please rethink your decision ...mammagrams can save lives.

I think you should keep the appointment. It could save your life or at least reassure you that nothing further needs to be done. I experienced something similar and the second mammogram and ultrasound scan confirmed it was a cyst not a tumour. It is your choice but I consider it a privilege to have these tests available free on the wonderful NHS.

Why not have the mammogram? It is minimally uncomfortable, over quickly and would provide a second opinion.

My mum first had breast cancer at 62 and her symptom was pain in one breast . Going for that mammogram gave her 13 more years of life . Just go for your appointment, I’m sure everyone will be very sensitive . You need to look after yourself .

MissAdventure please ask your friend to have her thyroid levels checked as this happened to me and it turned out to be a very low thyroid level.
Tilly. Please go back and have the mammogram. I see ladies at the workshops each month and the majority of these ladies are having treatment for breast cancer. A couple of minutes of discomfort is worth it for peace of mind, whether it's a recall or first appointment.

My darling Mum nearly didn’t attend her last mammogram at 70 - thank God she did.

The cancer it picked up has now gone, with treatment, and she celebrated her 75th birthday this week, with the news she is fully in remission.

There was no sign of it whatsoever as it was deep in the tissue of her breast. We would probably have buried her, at best 4 years ago.

A little discomfort is nothing compared to having a life. If it’s clear - you were right. If it’s not - you have a chance to live longer.

Just my opinion - but one I share with the majority of the posters here, I feel

Please don't make the state of the NHS your excuse .!! That is not your problem . Breast cancer may be . What would your 5 children and your little grandchildren feel if that's how it turned out. They would thank you or the NHS then .

I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, and both times it would not have been discovered without a mammogram. However, any mammogram is a dose of radiation which can in itself cause cancer, so in future I am going for digital thermal imaging which is non invasive and no radiation. The only downside is having to pay for it, but it is sooooo worth it.

You really don’t seem tounderstand your situation. There is a reason for the request for a repeat mammogram and you need to have it done.

Go and get checked out as thoroughly as possible, it may save you huge problems later. I am recovering from breast surgery and have been given the all clear. My treatment was wonderful.

My best friend regularly checks her breasts. Last year although all seemed well she decided to have the offered mammogram. It picked up that she had an early breast cancer. She had an operation followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She was cured.
Mammograms are free, so you might as well have one.

I had a recall once. Scared the wits out of me. The reason turned out to be the radiographer hadn't captured all the area normally included. Go, you went to your GP with a problem, this is being investigated. If GP hadn't followed through and there was an issue you would be complaining. People are trying to help, so go.

tillytrotter why don’t you ring up the breast clinic, ask to speak to the doctor who saw you, or a nurse practitioner, and ask why, if the doctor said you were ok, you have been advised to have a second mammogram.
That’s what I would want to know before making a decision.

I think you should go back too. You’ll always have it niggling in the back of your mind if you don’t, and at least you should know for definite one way or another.

I had a recall check after a routine mamgram 10 years ago. They found an invasive ductal carcinoma. My doctor was surprised as he had checked me about a month before (can’t remember why) and hadn’t felt any lumps.

I had a lumpectomy, 14 radiotherapy sessions and 5 years on medication. I am 72 and now back in the programme for regular checks. I am so thankful that my cancer was found early. No way would I risk my life or peace of mind because of conflicting checks.

Ps Tilly remember cancer is a word not a sentence.....people recover

If OP has made up her mind...is adamant not to attend appointment. Why post on here then? Why post a fait accompli? There must be an element of doubt even if its subconscious. So here's my opinion......go! You have been recalled by the Mammogram service...they will have examined the images and obviously have a problem with what they see. Its not an invasive procedure...its a tad uncomfortable for many, painful for a few. You will cause more problems for people by not getting the problem either identified or dismissed at this early stage.

Ps this happened when I was 50 ...... take heed tilly

Tillytrotter what are you doing ?
The doctors don't recall you for their health !
I understand you are scared of what they might say , but making excuses won't win the day
I was in perfect health , no lumps, bumps, pain of any nature so didn't respond to a routine mammogram - at first - my lovely dear daughter marched me down for a mammogram....they found a 2 centimetres lump ...invisible to the eye or touch hidden inside my breast - which was cancerous .and after various treatments, admittedly some not pleasant, I had a total recovery ......that was in 2002.... if I hadn't gone I wouldn't have known my 4 gorgeous grandsons, or responded to your gransnet post .
Please,please,please go if only for peace of mind ( which you clearly haven't got or you wouldn't have posted this in the first place ) chin up , shoulders back and face your fears ...we are all with you

I am absolutely astounded at this stream. In today's cost-conscious NHS do you honestly think they call anyone back for a chat?
If I hadn't gone to my mammography recall appointment I would have been long dead!

I would attend, far better just in case it is not as straight forward as you believe.
I saw a consultant privately because I had worrying symptoms, he told me he was an expert on cancer and treated 2,000 patients a year, he said I did not have cancer. He said he would do the extra investigations as I was paying for them but thought I was wrong, well what did he know ? I had stage three cancer. Mine was not breast cancer BTW but if there is any doubt have the investigations.

I was booked for a routine mammogram on Monday. However it’s my cousins funeral so I rang to rearrange it ,and was given an appointment 5 days earlier! Personally ,and possibly because of my job, any recall for anything I would be hammering on the door

Having had breast cancer, and still having treatment I am absolutely astounded by this post !
If not for yourself then for goodness sake go for your mammogram for your family it couldmean the difference betweenlife or death. You're at an age when some types if breast cancer are more likely. Time is of the essence.
Btw I found my tumour because of pain

Please go Tilly, I’ve nothing else to add to what others have said, just go.