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[Katejo]

I got the letter for this yesterday. I know that about 96% of scans are negative but I am concerned because I was recalled the first time in 2015. In the end it was a false alarm and I suspect it was because they had no previous scan as a comparison. It occurred to me before Christmas that I was probably due for one but then i forgot about it until I got the letter.

I was just about to renew my travel insurance and book a trip but I am now wondering whether to put it on hold. The appt isn't until Feb 8th. Booking a holiday  now might tempt fate....   Even though it is just an optional routine test, an insurer might not pay out if i got bad news.
Or am i worrying too much?

[CLKD]

Worrying too much.  Book the holiday.  Go on the trip.  If the appt. co-incides with the appt., then look for a mobile screening van in your area?

It nips me a bit but I wouldn't not go!

[Katejo]

Worrying too much.  Book the holiday.  Go on the trip.  If the appt. co-incides with the appt., then look for a mobile screening van in your area?

It nips me a bit but I wouldn't not go!

  You mean "If the appt. coincides with the holiday"?  That isn't the issue. The trip is much later in the year. I can go to the appt. on Feb 8th. If i hadn't been recalled last time, i wouldn't be worried this time. I am not concerned about the actual procedure, just the results.

[Mary G]

Katejo, if it's the results you are particularly worried about there is one way around that but it will involve paying.   There are private clinics that offer a one stop mammogram service.   You can have the mammogram and then have a breast scan immediately afterwards meaning you don't have to wait for the results and risk being recalled, the whole thing is dealt with in one hit.

Scans are more accurate too and immediately rule out any uncertainties.

[Katejo]

Katejo, if it's the results you are particularly worried about there is one way around that but it will involve paying.   There are private clinics that offer a one stop mammogram service.   You can have the mammogram and then have a breast scan immediately afterwards meaning you don't have to wait for the results and risk being recalled, the whole thing is dealt with in one hit.

Scans are more accurate too and immediately rule out any uncertainties.

Mary G Any idea how much they charge for this? Have you ever tried it? Presumably the private clinic wouldn't have access to my first mammogram to compare so I suspect that I'll wait.

[Mary G]

I saw an advert for the Spire Hospital and it costs about £600 so quite a lot.  However, from what I have read, it includes a consultation, physical examination, mammogram, breast ultrasound, biopsy if necessary (hopefully not) and you don't need a GP referral.  You get the results the same day.  You could send an enquiry or give them a ring.  It is a lot of money but it would buy you some peace of mind. 

There will be other places that offer a similar service.

I have mine in Spain but the system is completely different.  I have a breast scan every year and a mammogram every other year.  On the years I have a mammogram, the x-ray is taken straight into the scanning room and the breast specialist carries out the scan immediately after checking the mammogram results.  On the years it is scan only, I just have the breast scan and get the results immediately and printed out - they always look at the last mammogram during the scan.  I also keep all the mammogram x-rays which I don't think you do in the UK.  It is a good system and means you don't have all the worry of waiting for results.

Anyone can have this done at a private clinic in Spain and it costs much less than the UK equivalent. 

[losttheplot]

Book your holiday  It's a routine screening and really no need to think anything will be wrong. You were recalled last time but given the all clear, it has no bearing on the 8th Feb one and insurance company know this.

[Katejo]

Book your holiday  It's a routine screening and really no need to think anything will be wrong. You were recalled last time but given the all clear, it has no bearing on the 8th Feb one and insurance company know this.

You are probably right. i certainly don't want to spend £600 on it.  I don't have any of the breast symptoms included in their check list eg. lump, nipple changes. I have occasionally had a slightly itchy sensation in my armpit but i think that is because of my back of shoulder tension problem.
I have got myself an insurance quote but haven't bought it yet.

[Hurdity]

Heavens - don't even think about private screening!!

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY!!!  ... and then look forward to it!

A small proportion of all routine tests will have unfavourable results but no need to put your life on hold - please stop worrying and just do it! All that is necessary if something crops up between when you book it and your holiday is to notify your insurance company just before you go, and then they will if necessary add a small premium. Breast investigations are very unlikely to cause problems abroad which will entail costs to them - compared to heart and luing conditions etc.

I have annual travel insurance with my bank account anyway so would just notify them if there was something I had to declare before I went on holiday (or if it eas present at the time of booking - would need to ask them how much extra if anything, beforehand. Don't forget your insurance covers you from the time of booking for the situation you are in now ie presumably healthy and with whatever declared conditions you may have....

Hurdity x

PS I also had a recall for one of mine, and have just had my latest mammogram this week.....

[Mary G]

I must admit I wouldn't pay £600 for it either but there are women who are deeply traumatised by having to wait for mammogram results and start skipping them so I guess it's worth them digging into their savings for it. 

[Scampi]

Look at it this way - would you delay booking a holiday because you'd been called for a smear?  Or because you'd been sent the little bottle to do the stool sample?  Highly doubtful, so why even consider delaying because of breast screening? 

I've had numerous recalls after smears (including needing colposcopy and treatment for a non-cancerous cervical lesion), and had a breast lump investigated - I would never not go for screening, nor would I let that screening put my life on hold.  Book the holiday and look forward to it, and try not to give the mammogram a second thought (difficult, I know).

[Katejo]

Heavens - don't even think about private screening!!

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY!!!  ... and then look forward to it!

A small proportion of all routine tests will have unfavourable results but no need to put your life on hold - please stop worrying and just do it! All that is necessary if something crops up between when you book it and your holiday is to notify your insurance company just before you go, and then they will if necessary add a small premium. Breast investigations are very unlikely to cause problems abroad which will entail costs to them - compared to heart and luing conditions etc.

I have annual travel insurance with my bank account anyway so would just notify them if there was something I had to declare before I went on holiday (or if it eas present at the time of booking - would need to ask them how much extra if anything, beforehand. Don't forget your insurance covers you from the time of booking for the situation you are in now ie presumably healthy and with whatever declared conditions you may have....

Hurdity x

PS I also had a recall for one of mine, and have just had my latest mammogram this week.....

I hope your latest mammogram result will be ok Hurdity.

[dahliagirl]

My first one was painful and the mammographer unpleasant.  Didn't want to ever go back.

My second one (after I had sat in the cold cubicle with my book waiting for mammographer number 1 to finish audibly torturing the lady before me) was ok with no problems and in fact I got the nice mammographer.  Except that just as I thought the long wait for the results meant fine, I got recalled    That eventually all got sorted - the breast clinic staff were very nice and helpful and did not hurt anyone.  It was just a result of the limitations of the screening process.  I used to have a diagram of people that came from an audit paper that is not online any more which showed the vast majority of people recalled do not have breast cancer, or anything else.

So, now I am overdue for number 3, I have a sore glands in the patch that showed up last time, so will probably get recalled again, and I am also worried I will get mammographer number 1 again.  I am not looking forward to the fall out either 

A friend of mine was recently diagnosed (not through mammogram - I think they missed her off their list somehow  ) and she had a holiday booked, so they fitted her op in after the holiday, within the specified time, and she got a nice week in the sun to help get her through it.   So I would go ahead and book 

[CLKD]

My breast lump was found on palpation and never showed on film  .

Often the breast tissue doesn't give a clear picture on mammogram, hence the requirement for recall.  It can be a worry but what is the worst than can happen?  Had surgery/treatment in the 1990s, still here 

[Katejo]

My previous recall letter arrived on my birthday! i had just got back from a meal with friends and found it on the doormat. Fortunately the image which they wanted to to check turned out to be a false alarm but i had a very long wait at the clinic that afternoon.