NHS 3 yearly routine mammogram

Is there counselling or some form of therapy you could have to help?

Yes, mine too. I told myself I wouldn't put myself through it again, but I worry about not doing it just as much. I argue with myself.
Best wishes

I too think my life would just fall apart if I even got a recall this has been one of the worst weeks of my life I have just gone to bits this is my third one and the anxiety has got worse with each one this time it’s on another level

Thank you, I will.

Health anxiety must be a horrible thing to endure, and it must surely defy logic.
Hiding from something that could save your life, and worrying that if they find breast cancer and treat it successfully, that it will come back. They need to find it first to save you.
My life was saved by a routine mammogram which found BC so far back that it couldn't be felt. It had already spread to my lymph nodes. Surgery, chemo and radiotherapy eleven years ago now. I know there are others like me on here who will tell you the same as me, please go for your mammogram.
And yes, BC whispers in your ear, but you have to conquer the fear.

I suffer with extreme health anxiety anyway, so my mammagram is a very difficult time for me. I have had lots of therapy and i try hard but I know my family suffer when I dont function. I worry that if something was found I would just crumble, what quality of life would that be, for ever thinking it would come back.
I do go each time but feel so bad.

Reported

I guess it happens especially if you are an anxious person anyway. Just got to wait and think that if anything was spotted, you’ll have it dealt with straight away. I’ve officially had my last mammogram but will still be requesting it, must be glutton for punishment!

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I’m exactly the same. Unfortunately my last mammogram was due at the start of the pandemic and I’d already decided to self isolate so I didn’t go. I felt that the threat of catching covid at the time was worse than the possibility of getting a bad result. Part of me was relieved. I’m the same with the bowel cancer screening tests, too. A nervous wreck till I get the result. I know the advice I’d give to someone else but can’t seem to take my own advice.

I am dealing with awful anxiety waiting for my mammogram results so bad I can’t sleep or eat have just come across this site while searching for help I know it’s an old thread but maybe someone out there

Come on Chrissy - don't be embarrassed about making excuses, just 'feel the fear and do it anyway'.

I'm the world's worst and having breezed in for a BUPA medical many years ago and almost keeling over with shock when a mass was found, I spent the entire Easter weekend prior to a hospital biopsy actually sobbing and pleading with God, life, anybody that it wasn't going to be anything awful. I've never been so scared. Results of the procedure showed it to be a fibroadenoma, and harmless, but I couldn't have known it was there. I hugged the Surgeon when he told me and he said he knew that it would be o.k. but just couldn't tell me that without the proper tests.

I have regular Mammograms. Very different here in France, you are sent your invitation, you choose from a huge list of local hospitals, women's clinics, special breast clinics etc., make an appointment yourself and then turn up clutching your previous scans and results. These invitations are sent out every 2 years. Mammogram, then films are inspected, then ultrasound, then examination, then Doctor reviews results, compares with old scans and notes, then comes out to announce (hopefully) all o.k. Your scans are still sent on to a large organisation who again review all the results and then write to you with your latest scans and you keep all for the next time. So, a double check, but no real waiting or anxiety.

Do the mammogram, do the colon cancer testing kit, turn up for anything that might prevent serious illness and help save your life. It's horrible that it creates so much anxiety, but so much better than the alternative !!!!!

Good luck and just look forward to a celebratory drink or slice of cake after you get the results.

Meant to add that I would be far more worried without these three years checks when I was younger and would be furious with any of my daughters if they did not attend one. On one occasion one of those did come back with something unusual, further tests showed nothing to worry about.
Anyone who does not take full advantage if this wonderful testing service and the one for bowel cancer, is acting very foolishly in my opinion.
I must admit I never worried about results expecting them to be fine - but even if you are a worrier, surely it must be much worse if you do not have these tests - I would have thought you would then be worried all of the time.
Self checks are good and should be carriéd out - but often these tests will pick something up so early that it would not be apparent on any self check - and the earlier the better for treatment to be totally successful.

A couple of years ago, had a spot that kept bleeding on one of my breasts. Well past the age of 70 yrs so not had any mammograms for several years. I was not too worried, but took it to GP and she felt it was worth testing further. I was referred to the fast track breast clinic at the local NHS hospital. Had mammogram in morning and saw Consultant in afternoon with results. Fortunately, nothing to worry about - was an infected cyst.

I religiously had mammograms, smear tests and colon cancer tests from the age they were recommended until the upper limit. When I had the final mammogram a small tumour was discovered which was so deep in my breast I would never have discovered it by self examination and I had a lumpectomy in December 2018 followed by three weeks of radiotherapy. I was prescribed Oestrogen blockers for five years and mammograms for five years, the second is due soon. I am just thankful that I had all the tests and treatments available and that they are all completely free of charge.

I'm 61, so have had 3 breast screenings done. I've never once worried about the results, as I've always thought I'd notice any changes in my breasts and go to the doctor's if I had any symptoms.

Hollyhock1 I had no outward signs of breast cancer it was only through the testing that mine was discovered . Go and have it done please .

Hi Chrissy I am just the same as you I am afraid. I had BC 17 years ago and every time I have had a mammogram since I have been a nervous wreck. The poor postman has one arm shorter than the other where I sit in wait and grab the post as it comes through the letter box! I really don’t know what the answer is. All I would say is my outcome would have been very different had I not had that first routine mammogram, so I put myself through it every three years and buy a large bottle of gin!

Oopsadaisy4 I haven’t managed to do that one yet I’m ashamed to say but I would be exactly the same as I am with the mammogram results.

chrissy no words of advice here I’m afraid but I was wondering how you cope with the wait from the Bowel Test kits?
That’s the one that worried me, although I’m now under the hospital, ditto the Mammagrams so I will go in and have the tests and be told the results whilst I’m there.

Thanks everyone

I know exactly what you mean ‘Hollyhock1* I didn’t have my first one until I was 61 and wouldn’t have gone then if my daughter hadn’t had a go at me.

I'm 56 next month and have never had a mammogram. I cancelled my first invitation at about age 51 and they've never recalled me for any further ones. I do self examine periodically. The wait for results would be too much for me!

I remember waiting anxiously for the results when I first had them done. Then I've got used to it and even forget about it, like others surprised when I see the envelope!

Thank you silverlining48 I’ve never heard of that. There’s no history of cancer in my family. Ellianne That sounds good but, as you say, it’s for urgent cases which is understandable.

At our private hospital in London you can have a consultant's appointment, tests and results in a couple of hours. It's called rapid access breast clinic but you need a gp referral to say why it is urgent. Otherwise a week is normal for a routine mammogram because 2 doctors have to check it.
I am not sure about NHS waits.
Good luck.