New to the group. Deciding whether to have follow up with surgeon when due.

I would be tempted to have more than 1 follow up Mammagram just in case. It's a hard decision to make but at least Mammagram isn't a difficult procedure. 

Hi Morvern

having only one mammogram is risky … I’m not sure that your decision is based on sound evidence…. Please

continue for the 5 years….. it’s only a few minutes out of your life and better be safe than sorry 

I wish you well 

Hi Sharon, I know it's not based on sound evidence however I'm yet again having major problems accessing care, including emergency, in relation to major surgery I had recently.  It was for a benign condition which has blighted my life for 20 years with severe pain, medical retirement and huge restrictions.  I had to be readmitted locally due to a bowel obstruction and then sepsis after surgery which had been performed on the other side of the country by the only Consultant able to do it in Scotland.  My care was awful and yet again I've been told it's all too complex and no-one in my NHS Trust area wants involved or take on my routine care.  I'm at home but still unwell and managing this myself.  In fairness I can't fault the cancer care apart from some conflicting advice but have made the decision to keep the rest of my involvement with the NHS to a minimum as I can't cope with it anymore.  I don't have an issue with having a mammogram as such but when the other health problems I have are much more concerning and more likely to have a bad outcome it just seems like a waste of time.

Hi  , I was early stage too but grade 2 so a bit higher risk. I’ve chosen to take all the treatment but we’re all different as are our situations and any existing health issues. I’m sorry you’ve had such a long standing condition, even if it’s benign, as it’s obviously had a profound effect on your quality of life.

Re annual check ups - I find them very reassuring, both the mammograms and the physical examination. My second annual mammogram and appointment were the autumn after lockdown and initially my face to face appointment was cancelled but I asked for it to go ahead as I wanted the added reassurance of a physical examination, even though it’s quite painful having that boob prodded. But again we’re all different and I don’t think you’ll be pressurised to go to any appointments if you don’t want to. Also I’m lucky that the breast clinic is a short drive away and I don’t have other health issues (just those caused by the Anastrozole!). I’d definitely want the annual mammograms but maybe see how you feel re the appointment with the surgeon nearer the time? Love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi Morvern, I think it would be wise to have the mammograms over the five years rather than just stopping at the first one. You never know if it will return in the same breast or even the other breast. It sounds like your first mammogram picked up this tumour that perhaps wasn’t noticed. I had my first routine mammogram this year only to find I had a tumour that I couldn’t feel and it had also spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. I was very grateful it was picked up so early and I will be having my mammograms for the next five years following my chemo and radiotherapy as well as hormone and HER2 positive treatment for the next year. Mammograms take few minutes and painless just be bit uncomfortable and can be life saving. Obviously it’s your choice and how you feel about it but I do hope you continue.

Wishing you all the best.

Higs from cuffcake x x x x x

I’m sorry you’re having such a torrid time however I  don’t understand why you’d pick the mammogram to avoid …. It’s possibly the quickest health intervention you’re having at the minute and can save your life .

you so have a right to ask for care elsewhere… could you not pick somewhere just over the border? 

Thanks for your reply Sabrina.

Thanks for your reply Happy Feet.  I know this will seem selfish when many people would much rather be in my situation breast cancer wise than the one they're in.  I think because of the other health stuff I have going on the cancer diagnosis didn't really have much impact. I was more concerned about dying due to complications of surgery. I don't think of myself as being a cancer patient so perhaps feel if I opt out of future care I can just ignore it.  I know that sounds foolish and I will more than likely have at least the first mammogram.  I'll decide nearer the time about the appointment with the surgeon.

Hi Cuffcake, Thank you for your reply.  I'm in my 50's so have had a few mammograms already.  I don't mind having the mammogram it's just because of the other things I have going on that it all seems a bit of a waste of time.  I hope all your treatment goes well.

With best wishes, 

Morvern xx

Thanks for replying to me again Sharon,  I more than likely will have the 1st one but when I have other health issues that concern me more than the risk of breast cancer recurrence further down the line it seems like a bit of a waste of time.  I was given funding in the past to allow me to be seen outwith my area as the Consultant who had done my surgeries years ago moved and I had to transfer through with them because there was no care available nearer home.  Unfortunately I live in Scotland where we are unable to request to attend certain hospitals or see specific Drs as is the case down south.  Basically we get who we're given and that's it.  I was supposed to be discharged and my care transferred back to my own area but that isn't happening so I'm basically left in limbo with no support whatsoever.

Sending you best wishes xx