Thank you for all your comments. Yes, the NHS website still indicates the service is available but a call to the local administrator revealed the PHE prohibition. I asked when the service would resume and was told there was no guarantee but to call again at year’s end. COVID precautions are currently reducing the number of scans possible and this is understandable, as long as it does resume when more normal conditions prevail. I will be taking this up with my GP when I see him (another challenge) next month. For anyone who suspects a breast irregularity, please insist on a checkup and referral. While we may be older, I’m simply not ready to roll over and accept that older people have no rights or to pay an outrageous amount for a private scan. I’m strong, healthy, committed to my family and community and look to take up any early diagnostic tools that save the health service heavy treatment costs in the long run. Ditto for colon cancer and there lies a similar story.