Interview 09

Age at interview: 53

Brief Outline:

Discovered a lump at age 28, which was benign and surgically removed. Missed some breast screening appointments but attended for a routine mammogram at age 53. Results were normal.

Background:

A business consultant. Divorced with 1 adult child.

She would have liked more information about the breast x-rays and receiving the results.

She could have explained the process beyond the actual mammogram itself.  And I think that's very important because we all know that the radiographer can see a lot at the time and we all wonder why can't they just say "Oh yes you're clear, there's nothing there," because they do check that the xrays come out clearly. And to me the best radiographers I've ever had have been when they've said "Oh I think there's a problem here, we'll just look at this," and they explain things to you. They tell you openly "Well I think it's clear, obviously it's got to be looked at by a doctor but I don't think you should worry." They could do that I feel.                                                   

Yes so when you went in for the mammogram did you have any questions that you wanted to ask?                                            

Yes, when will I get my results. That clearly was really the question I wanted to ask. I did expect them to give me a little more information. I think it was much more efficient and it was faster than I expected it to be. I thought that the nurse or radiographer who took the xrays was pretty cold.  And I don't expect them to be Macdonalds "have a nice day" but you had to ask questions rather than information being volunteered. My first concern was "How long will it be before I know what the results are?" and she said a couple of weeks.  In the end I waited five weeks and I got the results yesterday or the day before.

She worried as she waited five weeks to get her results by post.

My first concern was "How long will it be before I know what the results are?" and she said a couple of weeks.  In the end I waited five weeks and I got the results yesterday or the day before. I started to feel quite anxious about that and that was unnecessary because I think stress is such a damaging thing. I think the worst thing was actually leaving hospital and knowing I had to wait a couple of weeks.

While you were waiting, what was going through your mind?

Nothing for the first few weeks really. But after that I was concerned. If it's not clear why isn't it clear? Am I waiting because they're making another appointment for me? So yes I was a bit concerned, I wasn't biting my nails but it was playing on my mind.

Found being recalled and waiting for her test results extremely worrying as she felt something...

I think the worst thing was actually leaving hospital and knowing I had to wait a couple of weeks for the results. It's that waiting time that is the problem. And also when they send you the letter telling you about the results, and we know this from the media as well, is they say "sometimes we make mistakes." But I still remember coming round being very frightened and waiting to hear the news. I know I didn't hear straight away, I think I waited a day or so to hear'

That it wasn't cancer?

Well no I still didn't know then but the specialist gave me his view that he thought it was alright. I think I waited another two weeks actually before I had the results of the biopsy.
 

Her GP dismissed her lump as harmless but she was worried and a friend eventually persuaded her...

In 78, 79, I went to my GP because I had a lump. He said it was nothing to worry about but I did worry about it. Then I got to the point where I actually was too frightened to do anything else about it. I was getting in such a state that a friend of mine picked me up from work one lunch time and took me straight up to emergency in the local hospital. They sat me in front of the mirror and said "Look your left breast is much bigger than the right breast, you can see that there's something wrong." And so I changed my doctor immediately to another GP who had me in hospital within a week and I had the lump out. 

How old were you at that point?

Twenty eight.  think it was sore actually, I can't remember how I found it but I think I must've found it in the shower. At certain times of the month we all get a bit lumpy there but it didn't go away, it stayed. I went to see the doctor and when he said it was nothing to worry about. 

Did you talk to anyone at this stage?

I eventually spoke to a friend of mine who could see that I was anxious about something and she's the one who physically came and got me from work and took me to the hospital. 

So from the time that you found the lump and you went to the doctor was that...?

A year. 

Right.  You found the lump and you went to the first doctor? 

Between the first doctor and actually going to the hospital 

Yes 

A year. 

Felt too frightened to go for screening and wondered whether the results can be trusted since...

In 78, 79, I went to my GP because I had a lump. He said it was nothing to worry about but I did worry about it. Then I got to the point where I actually was too frightened to do anything else about it. I was getting in such a state that a friend of mine picked me up from work one lunch time and took me straight up to emergency in the local hospital.

They sat me in front of the mirror and said "Look your left breast is much bigger than the right breast, you can see that there's something wrong." And so I changed my doctor immediately to another GP who had me in hospital within a week and I had the lump out. That did make me more aware but in a way also more frightened so I didn't go for any more mammograms. I have been called for a few because of my age but didn't go.

When they send you the letter telling you about the results, and we know this from the media as well, they say "sometimes we make mistakes." So it's kind of well, so really I don't know, I'm no better off than I was before so may be I just won't have the anxiety and I won't go and have a mammogram. I know that sounds ridiculous, like an ostrich putting it's head in the sand, but sometimes you think may be that's the better way to be.

I think they could improve the process because really when you get the results they tell you again that they could've made a mistake. And sometimes they make vast mistakes on batches of women who have had the mammogram so you wonder really whether you're better off. 

Says that women who are unhappy with their doctors shouldn't be afraid to seek second opinions.

There is one thing I would say and that's not just to do with women or with lumps in the breast and that is, if you think you have a health problem and you're not happy with a doctor's view or opinion, then go for a second opinion because it really isn't worth worrying about it. When I did that in 78/79 I really was very stressed out for a year and you have a right to a second opinion. If you're not happy, you go and you have it and that's the only piece of advice I can give I'm afraid.