Breast screening for over 70s

I am reminded to get in touch and request a mammogram, myself . Now 81 I have had two different cancers , and coped with operations and chemo, so think it is important to carry on having the tests, especially with this background. Months and years can go by , and without the reminder from the clinics , you have to make that extra effort.

Gingerrice

Having done my own research into why over 70s are not routinely screened and risks of overdiagnosis I no longer request mammograms. I have seen the long-term ill effects of chemotherapy in my own family so I feel I need to take this into consideration.

I understand that. My neighbour is 75 and was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She had surgery but refused chemo because she did not want to feel so ill.

My son has just finished 6 months of chemo for pancreatic cancer and it has absolutely knocked him sideways. His mouth is sore, he has lost 3.5 stones plus and he can eat very little. He now has peripheral neuropathy and extreme fatigue. He has forced himself to go out cycling every single day and does about 10 miles but it takes him longer and longer to do the distance.

Having done my own research into why over 70s are not routinely screened and risks of overdiagnosis I no longer request mammograms. I have seen the long-term ill effects of chemotherapy in my own family so I feel I need to take this into consideration.

Please, please, please go for that mammogram and also, if you are over 70, please make arrangements to have one. I have just had a cancer picked up by a very observant radiologist who could so easily have missed it. It is a very small one and the biopsy proved that it was cancerous. It was hidden and needed several tomosynthesis (3D) pictures, an ultra sound and biopsy. Op to follow re removal. So grateful they caught it like this as the surgeon said it would never have been felt till very late. Great team on the case.

I was advised to have a mammogram 3 years after my all clear from cancer, even though more than 70. I think any lady can ask for one after 70. We are just not reminded.

Me2u Spindrift Wishing you both and anyone who is reading this and in a similar situation, the very best of health for the future.

SpinDriftCoastal

SpinDriftCoastal

shysal

*SpinDriftCoastal, thinking of you, best wishes for a good outcome. As you say, the success rate is very encouraging these days.

shysal - Thank you very much. It is good to connect with other women.

Macmillan cancer support has free online forums where you can chat to and get support from women in the same boat.

Or if you're awake in the middle of the night unable to sleep

shysal

*SpinDriftCoastal, thinking of you, best wishes for a good outcome. As you say, the success rate is very encouraging these days.

shysal - Thank you very much. It is good to connect with other women.

*SpinDriftCoastal, thinking of you, best wishes for a good outcome. As you say, the success rate is very encouraging these days.

Please may I tag in on the end of this. I have just had a mammogram at this age and it has picked up something suspicious for which I have had a biopsy. Doctor said how they can pick up small cancers now which can be operated on quickly and with a lower impact. It is so important to have that mammogram. I am pleased they spotted something as I have not felt myself all winter. Almost a kind of natural instinct that something was amiss. I await the outcome......
Wishing you all the best me2 u ......

Yes, thank you Rosie51 and butter and jam,
The oncology team think it could be too risky to give me a general anaesthetic to remove the lump. I'm so grateful I have the option of medication and monitoring.
Been a stressful time, so far so good.

FranP

me2u

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

So sorry to hear.

You are a prime example of why we should not let the NHS write us off at 70.

You can request and it varies. I elected a routine at 73 and got it. (Lump found, with immediate follow-up as benign) Now, in my area, I cannot self-elect, but it is easy to get referred but only because of my history.

The NHS is not writing us off at 70.

We can still get mammograms, colonoscopy, FIT and other diagnostic tests, on request or by medical recommendation.
Those options are still available but any which carry additional age-related risks need to be clinically assessed and explained.

me2u now you know the worst, and thankfully that should be fully treatable. Your other health conditions will naturally affect the treatment path selected, but it sounds as if you're in good hands. take care

Thank you for replying shysal and calendargirl. Im glad what I have doesn't seem to be too advanced. All the best to you all.

me2u

me2u, thanks for getting back to us.
Your results are very similar to mine. I was told I had grade 1 but the histology on the removed lump showed it was bordering on grade2. I was given 2 weeks of radiotherapy, the second week boosted. I will have annual mammograms from now on.

Coming up to 70 I met an old friend just a little older than me. She’d been diagnosed with cancer at her last scheduled mammogram. She advised me to request screening post 70. I’ve taken her advice, been checked and will do so again.

In 2000 I had a mastectomy due to cancer in the milk ducts. When I reached 70 I was told that although the recall would stop I could still request them. I will be 80 next January and have therefore continued to have them every 3 years. You just have to ring the service.

I was at the hospital breast clinic yesterday. Result of biopsy: Breast Cancer lump 2.5cm.
Ductal Grade 2. Hormone receptive positive.
Her2 Negative.
They will decide what the next step will be as I have other serious health conditions.
Another appointment in two weeks.

Totally agree with AnotherBirdLady. Continued to request mammograms post 70. However, still had breast cancer diagnosis at age of 73, only eight months after the last one showed clear. It was not the mammogram but the sudden appearance of an inverted nipple that forwarned me. I had not felt the relatively large, malignant lump as it had formed towards the back of the breast.

It is possible that, in spite of knowing about the importance of screening,and very much valuing every opportunity in this regard, I did not check my breasts carefully enough myself, or as frequently as I might have.I knew of no woman in my family (over 3 generations and who was a blood relative) who had had the disease - so I believed the risk was slight. It was only later I discovered that it was in fact much greater than I thought - in spite of my family's medical history.

Yes Tanith. When they stopped automatically asking me to go for a mammogram, that’s when I requested them myself!

Marmar2 I would look up your local Breast Screening telephone number online and ask them. You may be able to self-refer.

Do you ask at your Dr's to be referred or find out the breast screening telephone number?

Thanks for bringing this up.

I have been booking mammograms as often as I am allowed since I turned 70. As far as I know they still take self-referrals where I live but it could change.

me2u