Interview 01

Age at interview: 60

Brief Outline:

Has attended for routine breast screening since around age 50. Results have been normal.

Background:

A retired clinic clerk and receptionist. Married with 4 adult children.

She describes what usually happens when she goes for routine breast screening.

Well the procedure, usually you check in at reception and you're told to go along and change, and usually you're told to put a gown on. Unfortunately the last time I went I wasn't offered a gown so I came out of the little changing room with my hands across my breasts, which was a bit embarrassing, even now. But that's fine and then they come along and collect you and they're all very friendly, I must say everybody's very friendly and relaxes you rather. And you just go in and they position you on the machine and place your breast on a plate. And it sounds like dinner being served but its not like that and its on, and they lower the machine very flat on your breast, so it is uncomfortable but its not, as I say is not painful. 

And then they do the other breast the same and then they ask you to wait to make sure that everything is OK and that it has taken.

She felt nervous before going for her first mammogram.

My first mammogram was at [the mobile screening unit] and this was because they'd picked me up in the age bracket now as an older woman that was entitled to have a free mammogram, right. So obviously I was nervous because, I think most women will be because you're sort of, although you're fairly confident that you're all right the very thought that you're going to have a mammogram plants the idea into your head that you could have a problem. So I went along and I had the mammogram and the experience of the mammogram itself was OK, I'd been told a lot of frightening things about how much it hurt and how embarrassing it was. I found it quite embarrassing, you know, having to be undressed etcetera but everybody is so kind. And it's very uncomfortable but not painful, not painful. And I think at the end of the day the discomfort's worth it, to have the knowledge that you're OK or even otherwise so that if there is a problem they pick up then you can start doing something about it.

She feels anxious during the first week after having a mammogram.

It is usually two to three weeks when they come through and I'd feel, I feel quite confident that if I had a problem I would hear long before that anyway. Yes. 

So you receive a letter don't you?

A letter through the post yes.

And what does the letter say? 

It's, its just something to the effect that they're pleased on this occasion that the mammogram has come up clear and no problem sort of thing, not in those words but in that meaning, yes. 

So it's always clear the meaning?

Absolutely yes. Yes.

So while you're waiting for the results to come through do you think about them or do you get on, do you feel anxious at all or not? 

For the first week I feel a bit anxious because I feel if you're going to hear something you're going to hear in those first few days and after that first week somehow I start relaxing and I feel quite confident that everything's going to be OK, so.

When you get the results do you feel a sense of relief then?

Absolutely yes, thank God for that, yes.

She felt miserable when taken off HRT so asked to take it again but with regular screening.

I've had a few now [mammograms] because I've been on HRT for fourteen years now and because my mother died a few years back with breast cancer and I have quite a bit of cancer in our family, my GP decided that she'd like me to go up to the Hospital and get checked again at some stage so that she could either continue or discontinue my HRT which I'm very happy to be on. 

Do you have any concerns about that or have you always been happy with it? 

I went on HRT early because in my early 40s I had to have a total hysterectomy so I was on it early. And I was taken off it short term for a while, the doctor tried but I was quite miserable and short tempered and so I asked her to put me back on and that's why she wants me to be careful with my screening because I've been on it rather a long time now. But I think it's a wonderful thing. 

She feels reassured by being screened and says embarrassment shouldn't deter women from going.

My personal reason is, well the big word is 'reassurance' really. Yes and as I say if you're unfortunate enough to have a problem, the sooner you find out the better. And the sooner you can think positively and do something about it. 

So you always attend regularly for breast screening?    

Always yes.  

Have you always attended for other kinds of screening like cervical screening? 

Yes, yes.   

So in general you're quite positive about breast screening?  

I am yes. 

Is there anything you'd want to tell other people about breast screening?

No just that, don't worry about it, you know, don't worry about the embarrassment or anything just, just go for your own sanity, just go.