BreastCheck Questions / Answers (2)
Q16. Q. How Often Will I be Screened?
You will be invited to come back for screening on a two yearly cycle until
you reach 65. If you find anything unusual with your breasts at any time
or you have any concern you should go to your doctor. (questions)
Q17. Who Invites Me?
A population register (list) has been compiled from a number of sources,
principally data from General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, the Department
of Social and Family Affairs and private insurance companies.
(BreastCheck is allowed to source this information under The Health [Provision of Information Act] 1997. )
As this may
not include all women, you are encouraged to check you are on the BreastCheck
register. You will be sent a letter seeking your consent with an information
leaflet explaining the screening programme. Then you will be offered an
appointment to attend for a mammogram. (questions)
Q18. Why Was I Not Invited?
- You may be eligible but your name is not on the register
- Screening in your area has not yet commenced
- You are under the age of 50
- You are over the age of 64. (questions)
Q19. How Can I Register?
Self-registration is an important part of BreastCheck as the register is incomplete.
You can check on-line if you are on the register or by calling freephone 1800 45 45 55.
Women can self-register by returning a registration form to BreastCheck. These forms are
available on request from BreastCheck and also at GP surgeries, pharmacies and other
community settings.
Women can also register on-line (questions)
Q20. Can I Change My Appointment?
If you cannot keep the appointment that has been arranged for you and wish
a different date or time, please telephone your screening unit directly
and try to give at least two days notice. The telephone number is given
on your invitation letter. (questions)
Q21. Will My Special Needs Be Accommodated?
All BreastCheck screening units are fully accessible to people with disability.
Women should advise in advance if special needs are to be accommodated.
(questions)
Q22. Why Not Screen Women Under 50 Years?
Because of the lower prevalence of breast cancer in women under 50, the
density of breast tissue in this age group (more dense pre-menopause) and
the limits of mammography screening, it is not currently considered effective
to offer screening in this age group.
However, mammography has a role to play in diagnosis for younger women who are symptomatic. These women should be referred to a symptomatic unit by their GP. (questions)
Q23. Why Not Screen Women Over 64 Years?
Breast cancer incidence peaks between 50 and 64 years and the current screening
programme is targeted at this group. A second peak in incidence is seen
in the over 70s.
However, women over 64 who have been attending the programme should be encouraged to continue mammography. BreastCheck will extend the upper age limit of the programme when the National Expansion is achieved. (questions)
Q24. What Effect Does HRT Have on Mammography?
The same guidelines for mammography apply whether a woman is, or is not, on HRT. However, HRT may make the breasts appear more dense and mammograms may be more difficult to interpret. (questions)
Q25. What are the Guidelines for Women With Familial Breast Cancer?
Approximately 5% of all breast cancer cases are familial. The needs of women who may be affected are not addressed by BreastCheck, as screening for these individuals may need to begin at an earlier age. Their needs are best met by referral to specialist breast cancer services. (questions)
Q26. How Are Interval Cancers Handled?
Mammography does not prevent breast cancer. Its purpose is to diagnose radiologically
detectable cancer at an early stage before it is clinically detectable.
A small proportion of breast cancers are not detected by mammography. By
going for regular screening it means that if there are changes they will
be found as early as possible.
It is also important for the Quality Assurance of the screening programme that all cases of interval cancers are reported. (questions)
Q27. What Further Investigations May Be Required Following a ‘Not Normal' Mammogram?
It is necessary that women with abnormal mammograms are appropriately assessed and treated with the minimum of delay. All women called for Further Assessment attend one of the clinical screening units where a multidisciplinary team will evaluate screen-detected abnormalities. Diagnostic techniques include clinical examination, additional mammography, ultrasound and possibly fine needle aspiration cytology. Only a small number of women will need to proceed to needle or surgical biopsy.
If a woman does not wish to attend a BreastCheck clinical unit she should be referred urgently, in the ordinary way, to the specialist of her choice. At the same time it is crucial that BreastCheck is informed so that all necessary information can be passed on. (questions)
Q28. What if a Woman Has Clinical Symptoms?
One of the consequences of the breast screening programme is an increased awareness of breast symptoms amongst women. It is not appropriate for GPs to refer symptomatic women for screening by BreastCheck. As a rule, women who have clinical symptoms must have clinical examination by their GP and may then be referred for further treatment to the symptomatic breast cancer services (questions)
Q29. What About Breast Self-examination/Breast Awareness?
There is no evidence that routine monthly breast self-examination following a set technique reduces the mortality from breast cancer. Paradoxically, most breast cancers are found by women themselves. It is therefore suggested that this casual detection can be optimised by encouraging breast awareness.
Breast awareness is about knowing what is normal for the individual woman and the variations that occur throughout the cycle. Women are then encouraged to report any variation from the normal promptly to their GP.
For a variety of reasons, many women choose not to examine their own breasts. GPs need to be sensitive to this and be careful not to provoke guilt in those who do not do so. (questions)