Hello, I’m Fiona, a Primrose patient and the Chair of The Primrose Foundation.  I recently attended a breast screening appointment at Plymouth’s Guildhall, which is one of The West Devon & East Cornwall screening locations available, as well as their mobile breast screening unit and the Primrose breast care centre at University Hospitals Plymouth.

I wanted to share why I feel it is so imperative to attend your all-important screening appointment.

The NHS says that regular breast screening is one of the best ways to detect cancers that are too small to feel or see.  That was certainly the case for me six years ago as a routine breast screen picked up 3 cancerous tumours in my left breast, that appointment I believe, helped to save my life – mine being one of around 1,300 lives saved each year in the UK due to attending a routine mammogram.

I was very fortunate to be invited for breast screening early at the age of just 47 as part of a brief random age extension trial which was carried out between 2009 -2020. The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites all women registered with a GP, between the age of 50 -53, every three years up until the age of seventy-one, however, if you wish to be screened beyond this age you would need to contact your local screening office. For those living in West Devon and East Cornwall, the number you need is (01752) 431652.

Unbeknown to me at the age of 53 I had developed invasive lobular carcinoma and three tumours had developed deep within my breast lobules, it had started to escape or invade other tissue.  I didn’t have any lumps, bumps, or other symptoms.

Fast forward 6 years, and I have now completed my annual screening as after a breast cancer diagnosis you are invited to attend an annual mammogram for five years ( if you have any remaining breast tissue).  My treatment has been successful and I’m NED (no evidence of disease).  Now I’m back on the three-year screening programme which is why I visited one of the screening sites in July 2023, at the age of 58.

Screening invitations are sent depending on the GP practice you are registered with, so at the time of my invitation those of screening age living in Stoke, Stonehouse and Milehouse in Plymouth were invited.

It could not be easier to make an appointment, you may receive an invitation letter inviting you to make an appointment that suits you, or you may be sent a ready-made appointment, which you can change if it is not convenient.

On the day, time and at the venue you have selected you are invited into the waiting room.  From there one of the mammographers checks you in, questions are answered, and information is shared.  This is all done in a kind and professional manner.  Then you walk to the screening/imaging room.  Once your top and bra are off it is only a couple of steps to the state-of-the-art imaging machine.  The mammographer positions you in front of the machine and explains there will be a compression of the breast.  I’m tall so it is always a case of moving the machine to fit my height, the machine can move up and down to make it as comfortable as possible for all heights. Once in the correct position (with an arm in position) the clear plastic paddles are compressed, your breast is held, and you are asked to stand still. The compression can feel very firm for a few seconds, like a blood pressure cuff on the arm, most women find this uncomfortable but manageable.

The mammographer will ensure you are correctly positioned, and each image takes only a few seconds, a total of 4 images are taken and the mammographer will position you for each one. This ensures that all aspects of the breast are captured.

In all, the whole process takes no more than 20 minutes and then you are free to get on with the rest of your day. 

Your digital images are then read by a minimum of two highly trained readers, they will examine all images and check for anything that looks unusual and perhaps needs further investigation.

Approximately two weeks after attending your appointment you will receive a letter to give you the results of the imaging. 

If, however, you receive a ‘recall’ letter please don’t panic. There are many reasons you may be recalled back for another appointment, and most recalls are nothing to worry about.

All in all, the service is quick, efficient, and friendly. Screening matters.

Thank you.

Fiona