Breast screening for over 70s

valdali

My relative was invited for screening after 70 as she had a history of breast cancer - you could check if this still happens Takethat.

I don't think it does. I have one more post-breast cancer mammogram, by which time I'll be over 70. I've been told I'll have to make appointments if I want to have mammograms after that. I won't be invited automatically.

I have not had a mammogram since the age of 70. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week.

TakeThat7

Having had a mastectomy I find it strange that the mammograms I've had yearly might stop at seventy I can't see why being seventy would reduce the need to check I will prob request they continue

After 70, natural breast changes makes mammography a less reliable screening method. Too many false positives.

I had breast cancer at 36, and two other lumpectomies that were false alarms/ benign cysts. Then decades of self exam every month + regular mammograms, all negative.

At 80, I still self examine every month. All three previous lumps were detected by me in the shower.

My relative was invited for screening after 70 as she had a history of breast cancer - you could check if this still happens Takethat.

I ring up every 3 years and make my own appointment for mammogram!

Having had a mastectomy I find it strange that the mammograms I've had yearly might stop at seventy I can't see why being seventy would reduce the need to check I will prob request they continue

I thought the opposite was true because breast tissue becomes less dense as we age.

My understanding was that screening isn't offered because a slow growing tumour is unlikely to cause any problems to somebody who might die from other causes. Not only that, but women over 70 are more likely to have other health issues, which might take precedence over treatment for breast cancer.

As we get older it is far less easy to pick up breast cancer by screening so, they stop screenings at 70 to keep the number of false negatives down.

I just checked again but they won't be back in my town for 2yrs so i will have to go further afield but i will still go

I kept telling myself that I must request screening after 70, but never got round to it. At the age of 78 I found a lump which was removed, followed by radiotherapy. Thank goodness I had continued to examine my breasts every month. Let this be a lesson to us all. We can get cancer at any age!
Thank you, tanith for starting this thread, if it prompts members to book mammograms it could save lives!

I requested a mammogram two years ago and was able to attend our local hospital almost immediately . I was surprised how little take-up there was in our area from the 50-70 age group.

Yes I did because of family history.

Yes, I'm 81 and requested screening a couple of years ago, and got an appointment almost the same day!
And every 20th of the month I self-examine/feel my breasts. Was told to do that by a GP, who said to pick my birthdate, as it is an easy date to remember.
e.g. if your birthday is 4th May, you would do it on the 4th of each month.
Can't remember how often the screenings are, whether it's every 3 or 5 years.