Mammogram

Good morning

I’m new here and hope that someone can help. I am 74.

I live in UK in NW England. We moved here three years ago from Worcestershire.

In 2011, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular BC which was successfully treated. I was discharged from Oncology in 2016 and continued surveillance mammograms until I was 70. My Specialist BC nurse was a huge support, particularly as I was diagnosed with a second primary cancer during my treatment. She told me that I (and, indeed, anyone over 70) could self-refer for mammograms. I assume that she meant three yearly.

In 2021 (During Covid) my half sister (daughter of my mother) was unexpectedly diagnosed at 74 with Triple Negative BC De Novo Stage 4. She died within 6 months. She was found to be carrying the BRCA gene mutation. My other sister (now 70) and I made the decision after genetic counselling not to be tested and were advised to have annual mammograms until aged 86. My sister has done this.

Last year, I asked my doctor how to self refer and he gave me details. I’ve pursued this route and Mammography Centre are adamant that I need a referral from my GP. I recently put in a request for clarification (not a complaint) to Patient Liaison at the large Teaching Hospital where Mammography is based. PL were very understanding and said they would forward my email to ‘the relevant department’ who would contact me. No contact was made so I sent another email to PL. About two weeks later, a lady telephoned me and asked if I’d had any reply. I told her I hadn’t. She didn’t tell me how she came to have had sight of my email - only that she was a matron in Critical Care (she gave me her name) and was concerned that I had not been contacted. She told me that she contacted Mammography herself on two occasions and that they have told her that they will not accept a self-referral - only a GP referral.

Ten days ago, I contacted PL again and sent the link (NHS/GovUK) relating to self-referral. Once again, it was forwarded to ‘the relevant department’ and there has been no reply. PL have advised that I should raise a formal complaint. At no time have Mammography/ the ‘relevant department’ made any effort contact me with a response of any sort. I am being totally ignored.

I am bewildered and extremely upset. I’ve been in touch with my BC nurse in Worcestershire who is similarly confused. Self referral at 70+ is an NHS England Policy - not local. It’s not clear whether self referral is to access annual or three yearly mammograms but I haven’t been screened since 2021 anyway

I don’t know whether the information is coming from a non medical / receptionist. I doubt whether it’s a misunderstanding as I would have thought that the attempted intervention of a senior medical professional would have been sufficient to get this sorted out.

I don’t particularly want to raise a formal complaint. That seems to be the answer to everything these days. It will drag on for months - at least. I can’t believe any of this is happening. I am still grieving for my sister and life is tough in so many other ways - as it is for so many.

If anyone can shed any light on this situation I’d be very grateful.

Thank you.