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Cancer Advice/Help

Bumblebee4285
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Hi,

I went to the nurse today for my routine smear test and we got on to talking about checking breasts. I informed her that I lost my mum to Breast Cancer when I was 4 years old and she was 31. 

She asked if I had received any mammograms or had seen anyone about this and I informed her that I dont/haven't. I went to the local breast clinic when I was 18 (now 40 fyi) and was told then that I would only need to be seen if any of my mums sisters or mother developed breast cancer as well. 

The nurse said that advice was given to me over 20 years ago that it might be worth having another chat with someone to see if things had changed in this time and if I was entitled/should be checked out. She said I could go on the Macmillan website and complete an online form and this will give me more information. I dont seem to be able to find this form??

Any help or advice on this would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks 

  • Dear Bumblebee4285

    Thank you for getting in touch, my name is Pauline and I am one of the Cancer Information nurses on the support line.

    I am sorry to hear that you lost your mum to Breast cancer at such a young age. I can understand why this could cause you to have concerns about your own risk of developing this disease.

    In the world of breast cancer research things are constantly developing and changing. Therefore, I think it would be worthwhile having a chat with your GP and discussing your family history in more depth. The GP will be interested in any other members of your extended family and their history of cancer. It may save time if you ask family members for any details so that you have them to hand during consultation.

    Each health board have their own referral system. The referral criteria will be based upon the NICE guideline familial breast cancer: classification, care and managing breast cancer and related risks in people with a family history of breast cancer.  The advice based on this guideline is that anyone with a first degree family member, such as a mother or father, who has been diagnosed with cancer under the age of 40, should be referred for an assessment of risk.

    South Tees hospitals have an online form which has been developed by Macmillan in that area. If you live in this area, that may be the form that the nurse mentioned is available online. However, there is not a generic form that is used. Your GP will help you to fill in the relevant paperwork for your own area.

    It may be helpful to have a read at our information regarding how cancer sometimes runs in families.  You may also find the information  breast cancer now – assessing your breast cancer risk helpful. 

    If you would like to discuss this is more detail, please feel free to give us a call on 0808 808 0000 (7days a week, 8am-8pm).

    I hope this information was helpful.

    ref PG/AMc

    Best wishes

    Pauline  
    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 
  • in reply to Pauline - Macmillan

    Thank you Pauline. That was very helpful and I will contact my GP to discuss things further.  I am not from the area so I will have to see if my Dr can help with a possible referral. 

    Best Wishes

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