Interview 12

Age at interview: 59

Brief Outline:

Benign lump surgically removed in 1977. Had mammograms every two years since. Mammogram in 1990 and further tests found pre-cancerous cells. Had treatment. Now attends for routine screening mammograms.

Background:

A semi-retired nanny. Married with 3 adult children.

Finds mammograms more uncomfortable since she's had surgery for breast cancer.

I think I had to go back in 3 months. Every 3 months to the hospital for a year, then every 6 months. But I can't remember when I next had a mammogram. I think it may have been, probably a while. I don't think they did mammograms straight away. It may have been a year, I don't know, I really can't remember that, but I had to go back you know, regularly. 

And how was it, having a mammogram, having had surgery? 

Well it was, as I say, it was more uncomfortable. It's still much more uncomfortable than before I had surgery because of the scar tissue. But its bearable. 

She had a breast lump removed and then regular mammograms to make sure there were no further...

I think it was 1977 when I first discovered that I had a small lump in my breast. And I went to the doctors. I was referred to the hospital and then I went in and had the lump removed. But there was, it was perfectly normal, there was no problem at all. But this put me on a programme of going once a year to the consultant and every other year I had a mammogram. 

Ok, can we just go right back to the beginning? 

Yes 

You said you had a small lump? 

Yes 

Had you ever had anything like that before? 

Not as far as I know. I mean, in my right breast I have a lump, a moveable lump, a little breast mouse thing, which has been there forever. And it was that that took me to the doctor's in the first place. And then after that they checked me out and decided it was in the other breast. I think, I can't remember, did I have, I can't remember whether I had ultrasound, I can't remember whether it was that sophisticated back in 1977, but'

How old were you then? 

1977, I was 33. 

Says that nowadays breast cancer isn't as frightening as it used to be.

Well back in 19', when I first felt this lump, back in the 1970's, most of what you read about breast cancer was frightening. You know, people died, you know, film stars, people you read about, they died. And so I don't think I read that much about it then. But certainly now, I mean, it's so much easier, well I wouldn't say easier to treat but the treatment is much more effective now, especially if you catch it early. I don't think its such a frightening thing as it was, sort of 30 years ago. 

Was glad that breast screening detected her early form of cancer before it had developed into...

Well [sigh], I mean some reports say that it doesn't do any good. I personally, from my experience can't possibly go with that because I don't think I, you know, I think it would never have been picked up any other way, because of the area. I doubt I would have found a lump until it may by then have invaded, you know, my rib area, and, you know. I have to say go for a mammogram if you get the chance, yes, that would be my advice. But that's again from my own personal experience. I think, I'm not one to bury my head in the sand, so if there's anything wrong with me, I want to know so that I can do something about it, not ignore it and hope it would go away. Because cancer doesn't go away...