Mammogram NHS or Private

busiscoming2

Hi
I have found a lump in my breast an am due to see Dr tommorrow. If he doesn't refer me for a mammogram, oe if I have to wait for a long time, I am thinking about paying for a private one.
Has anyone done this and is it worth it?

Toothsmith

There are all sorts of investigations, mammogram being just one.

See the Doc, and take his advice.

busiscoming2

Toothsmith, I was just trying to find out peoples opinions in case I go down that route. I would think that a mammogram is more conclusive though?

Toothsmith

Mammograms involve x-rays.

X-rays are not risk-free investigations. It could find something, but it could also cause something.

For all x-ray investigations you need a risk/benefit analysis. It's true that we are subjected to background radiation all day every day, so no-one can ever say that one particular exposure was responsible for causing anything, but the idea is to keep our exposure down to only what is deemed to be necessary.

All a mammogram would show would be calcific lumps - things that show up diferently on x-ray. You would then need to find out what sort of calcific lump it was.

I am no expert on this, but I would have thought something like a needle biopsy would give you a more accurate result of what it is much more quickly.

Just see the Doc, and take his advice.

Toothsmith

And good luck BTW - the vast majority of these things turn out to be nothing.

floss2

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Toothsmith, I was just trying to find out peoples opinions in case I go down that route. I would think that a mammogram is more conclusive though?

Depends on your age & the density of the tissue whether mammograms are conclusive or not.

TBH. there is a Government & NHS guideline on referral to a breast-care specialist, so you shouldn't have to wait very long. And you may find that you see the same consultant whether you paid or not.

Mupette

Can i ask how long between routine mammograms.?

I had one in 2006 not a routine one but they said i was about the right age (36 at the time) to be routinely checked. And would now be in the system

melancholly

i'd go in and speak to the doctor without assuming that they won't refer you. i think this is an aspect of the nhs which is quite good, so the wait wouldn't be too long. the doctor will be able to see your medical history and give advice - unless you've had bad experience with them in the past (in which case i'd recommend a new GP!), don't try and diagnose yourself or decide what the best course of diagnosis is or automatically assume that they won't do everything that they can to help you! this is what they are trained to do!

Lil_Me_2

I spent an afternoon working in a breast clinic and they are pretty good. It's not just a mammogram that they do, they also do ultrasounds to check whether it's a cyst or not. If it's fluid filled they will drain it and then re-scan to check that was what was felt and it isn't hiding anything. If it's solid they will take a needle biopsy (using the ultrasound to guide) and send off the sample.

Generally patients will be seen within a few weeks of referral which I understand can be a very worrying time but try not to get too worked up! Easier said than done though.

I'd recommend having a look around http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ there is a lot of information including a specific referral information booklet - http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/referral_redesign__final_14_feb_08_0.pdf there is also a forum there which you may find a lot more useful than here. They are also very supportive and will be able to answer your questions whatever the outcome.

I've got my fingers crossed for you!

ceebeeby

NHS waiting time guarantees mean that you will almost certainly have whatever appropriate tests are required within a couple of days.

Good luck x

ceebeeby

BTW - I don't know if all 4 NHS's are the same in the UK, but where I live you have to be quite careful if you choose to go private.

For example, if you ask your GP to refer you privately for diagnostic testing, you might end up ineligible for NHS care if it ends up something that needs treatment. In the result this is C ... it would end up costing literally 000's privately if you don't have medical insurance.

Am not wanting to be doom and gloom however, and I hope this works out okay for you x