Breast Screening

[grandmoon]

I have just received a letter about the government has extended the age of for the free breast screening until the age of 74,

[freddie*rooster]

I'm not impressed with the mobile screening, but women over 50ty are given free breast screening any ultrasound through medicare at any radiography Centre.

[polksaladallie]

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

No not in my 70ies, just glad for free screening and glad to be alive.

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Of course, I'm glad you are also,but the OP was about extended screening into the 70s.  50 years of radiation starting with compulsory chest x rays is enough for me.  Some doctors advise not to continue.  There is a body of thought amongst scientists that there is over-treatment of BC and prostate Ca which serves no purpose. Eg, the cancer death rate has not changed for the last 50 years.

[sandypas]

My friend's mum kept up mammograms after 70 and a cancerous lump was found last year at 81.  She had her breast removed as a result so I will be having them after 70 (in a couple of years!).

[cherry*135]

NSW
"We target women aged 50-74 to have a screening mammogram every two years. "

It is a very good service Imo. The one I go to is only 10mins away, at the rear of the Mall. Free service for above age group.
Usually short waiting time for an appt.

They explain the limitations of breast screening on the paperwork they send you, when sending out reminders. The following is from Breastscreen NSW website.

What are the limitations of breast screening?

Screening mammograms are the most effective test for finding breast cancer early. However, they are not 100% accurate. There is a small chance that a screening mammogram will look normal even if a breast cancer is present.

Some women will be called back for more tests after a screening mammogram because the mammogram showed an abnormality. For most of these women, the mammogram is found to be normal and breast cancer is not found.

Most breast cancers that are found through BreastScreen would grow and be life-threatening if they were not treated. However, some breast cancers that are found and treated may not have become life-threatening. At this time, it is not possible to tell exactly which breast cancers may become life-threatening and which breast cancers may not.

Having a screening mammogram means your breasts are exposed to a small amount of radiation. Modern mammography machines use the smallest amount of radiation possible while still getting a high quality x-ray picture.The radiation from screening is about the same as 18 weeks of exposure to natural radiation in the environment.

[azureline**]

are you planning to do it Grandmoon?

Age is no deterrent to cancer.

[grandmoon]

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@azureline** wrote:

are you planning to do it Grandmoon?

Age is no deterrent to cancer.

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Yes I was having them very two years since they started them

[purple_haize]

My maternal grandmother had a breast removed when she was 80yrs, and she lived till she was 95, no chemo or anything in those days, her eldest daughter had both breasts removed in her 70's, again no treatment and she lived till she was 99yrs.

[freddie*rooster]

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer the survival rate for breast cancer is very good due to on going awareness free screening and research, don't be a statistic have your free screening and ultra sound into old age.

[sasun15]

The problem with your argumentation for screening is that survival rates is a highly deceptive statistic, having no meaningful relationship to breast cancer mortality (read the epilogue of this article discussing the war on cancer ). Its great fallacy has been known for decades but because it makes the cancer industry appear effective (such as mammography), they've been using it ever since. And, by extension, all the cancer charities and most people who get to hear these lies ...

[bright.ton42]

Lies is a rather strong word to use considering how many women are indeed found to have breast cancer via a

mammogram.  But it is also important for us to continue our own examinations.

I think this is the right forum to mention that we are always told to check for lumps but many people (me included) have not been

aware of  Inflammatory Breast Cancer, where a simple red rash can mean a serious cancer within the breast.

It can mean other things too that are benign, but it is a consideration.

when I went to my doc she noticed this smallish red rash on the breast that I had noticed but thought nothing of it,  and immediately sent me

for an analytical breast screen , more comprehensive than the routine one, plus an ultrasound.

Anyway thank God it showed nothing abnormal, but it could easily have done.  I just don't think enough women know about this.