Where can you get mammogram if under 35?

tara747

Just wondering. A friend is very worried about pain in her breast and the doc has fobbed her off. Are there any charities etc which offer this to younger women?

Thanks.

C_Mababejive

Im sure BUPA and others can quote for this..also see

http://www.nuffieldhealth.com/Individuals/

violetta

Her local private hospital may well run a 'One Stop Breast Clinic' (I know the Spire Hospital where I work does) to which she could self-refer. For an inclusive fee, she would be able to see a specialist breast surgeon and have a mammogram/ultrasound/tests as appropriate.

Alternatively, as she is so distressed by the pain, if she were to go back to her GP (or see another one in the Practice), they should be able to refer her to her local hospital's specialist Breast Clinic. They should be able to refer her on if she is so worried, and give her peace of mind.

mazza111

Please, please, please, encourage your friend to see another doctor at the surgery. We all know what the consequences can be. If she can't see another doctor I would suggest another surgery completely!

The same thing happened with my cousin, who went to the doctor with a leaking nipple, diagnosed with mastitis, kept going back, it turned out to be what she dreaded and she died age 42 leaving 2 beautiful kids without a mother.

I'm not trying to put the frighteners on you but it's so important to get these things checked thoroughly.

Toothsmith

But also bear in mind that having unnecessary x-rays could potentially CAUSE a problem!

It's a delicate balance between being reassured and having unnecessary investigations.

Find a Dr you trust, and be guided by them.

There are too many places that take your money, and do unnecessary investigations without proper advice on the consequences.

tara747

Do x rays cause cancer Toothsmith? Sorry if this is a totally stupid question.

lostinrates

Secnd opinion with same practise, or alternatively changing practise, might be a good first step.

Did the Dr feel the breast themselves? Has your friend confidence in feeling/monitoring breasts throughout the month? I'd seen it on a tv demonstration but, tbh, when the doctor did it it was much firmer than I'd been doing it.

Toothsmith

tara747 wrote: »

Do x rays cause cancer Toothsmith? Sorry if this is a totally stupid question.

Yes - X-rays are carcinogenic.

In reality, we are exposed to them at low dosage every day of our lives (The sun generates them, as do the electrical equipment in our houses.)

If you go in an aeroplane, you go high up, and that means there is less atmosphere filtering out the natural x-rays - so aeroplane travel also exposes you to higher radiation levels than staying on the ground.

No-one can say which particular x-ray would start off a tumour in any person.

So - the thing is to keep your exposure as low as practical.

This DOESN'T mean refusing all medical x-rays, as the vast majority of the ones recommended by a medical person would give a benefit that would outweigh any theoretical risk.

But - that's why these guidelines for who should, and who should not have mamograms (for example) have been drawn up. For younger women, the risk to their health over the benefit of finding something early is considered not high enough to make it a general screening policy.

This is not to say a mamogram would never be the right thing to do - just make sure you get proper guidance, not just pay your money and have one.

tara747

The doc checked them for her and said there were no lumps and that that the pain is probably just hormonal (she's on the mini pill so doesn't have periods, does this make a difference??), but she said that it is really worrying her. I don't know what to say and am a bit concerned myself.

tara747

I've seen 'how to check your breasts' demonstrations as well but am probably not doing it right either! Maybe I should get the doc to check mine too...

lostinrates

tara747 wrote: »

I've seen 'how to check your breasts' demonstrations as well but am probably not doing it right either! Maybe I should get the doc to check mine too...

TBH, I think we all should...its something we should be taught as teens, so that it becaomes part of routine self care, like moisturising, facepacks or cutting nails.