It can't be three years......

[Margaret Pilkington]

Since my last mammogram.
Funnily enough(or not) I was in the shower one day during the week...soaping myself up....like you do and the thought popped into my head 'I must be due a mammogram sometime in October'.
Then Friday, lo and behold a fat letter bearing the NHS logo dropped on the mat addressed to me.
Inside the envelope was an invitation to attend for breast screening.( I like how they call it an invitation...like it is some posh do...top hat and tails...when really it means strip to the waist and get your mammaries trapped between two cold plates.......and not a glass of fizz in sight)
So how weird was that?

Anyway it is towards the end of the month so I have plenty of time to rev myself up for that appointment.
In the normal course of events this would be my last screening....but the NHS are running a program to extend breast screening to older and younger women of the population and I have been invited to take part.
Much as I hate going, the sensible part of my psyche tells me that it is a good idea to keep it up.

The good thing about the breast screening this time, is that it is at the Pals medical centre....so I won't be needing to hoof over to Blackburn Hospital......I do not need himself to take me......thank goodness!
The last time he took me for breast screening was not a pleasant excursion for either of us.......he was served hot tongue and cold shoulder for at least a few days...insensitive beast!

 

[Turtle]

Not a pleasant thing to go through, Margaret, as I know too well. My Mum calls it "going for the Big Sqeeze." I was going by choice yearly since the age of 40 because of family history. Now the government in its wisdom has declared that every two years is sufficient. You never know who to believe these days.

 

[dotti34]

All the best, Margaret. Am sure you'll come through with flying colours, and all clear.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

Here, the rules used to be every three years from the ages of 50-70, but these are in the process of being revised from the current studies.
Not the frequency of the examination, but the age group has been extended to take in women below 50 and over 70.
I will be 69 later this year and under the current rules this would be my last regular check up......although a doctor can still refer you if you were worried.....I am to be included in the current study of the older end of the parameters.
I could opt out of this if I wanted, but because I have had a couple of scares in the past, I think it would be crazy to opt out.
Even though I don't relish the exam, I know it makes sense.