Interview 38

Age at interview: 37

Brief Outline:

Had mammograms annually from age 34 because of family history of breast cancer. Mammogram in 2003 and further tests showed invasive breast cancer. Had treatment for cancer.

Background:

A network analyst. Married with 2 children.

She had breast screening from the age of 34 because of a family history of breast cancer.

So when these two sisters were diagnosed, I think it was just after Christmas I went to the GP, and started discussing with him that I wanted to go on some kind of screening program. He was very helpful and didn't try to deter me from it at all, very helpful and referred me to the hospital straight away. So within about six months from going to the GP I was on a screening program.  

It was three years - this was my third screening, this one in 2003, so it was 2000, so I was 34, yeah, 34. So I joined the screening program and just went every year, so I [first] went in 2001. 
 

She discussed a genetic cause with her family and decided against being tested for a faulty gene.

What happened was he [GP] referred me to the breast care unit and to the consultant there, and he wanted to do a family history thing, and I was finding out, wanted to find out about genetic testing, that was what originally started. And by the time the consultant had looked at all the risk history and the factors between the consultant and what they've told us - the fact that I could have had genetic testing to find if I'd got a faulty gene, but if we've got that information, what are we going to do with it anyway? And because genetic testing took such a long time he suggested then to go on the screening program would be the best thing for me. But genetic testing is something I have discussed with my consultant, and it is something that I want to do for the benefit of my own daughter really, and my sister - my one sister in Canada is on a genetic testing program.

I don't know how they do it, but they just kind of touch base with her every now and then, they're still looking. I don't know how it works but they haven't found anything that they can say yes, she's got this faulty gene, because she's got three daughters, and she's very aware of this. It's something that I'll want to do, because if there is a faulty gene I need to know for my daughter's sake, because when she's old enough I'll get her tested, and then at least she'll be in a position to be able to make the decision earlier on, rather than waiting to have it... But we don't know yet until they've done the genetic testing. It could be that it's just very, very bad luck that four sisters out of five have had the breast cancer but the chances are it's more than likely going to be genetic. 
 

She wanted to discuss her experiences with other young women in similar situations.

And then after my operation I was - I kind of wanted to find someone that was local, that was Indian, that had had a mastectomy, that was similar to my age. Which a breast care nurse found, she kept records and she put me in touch with a lady that's local and she rang me up, and she was really useful and really helpful. She'd had a mastectomy and she'd had the same chemo that I was having, so it was really good talking to her, and she was very positive.

She had very young children, her son was only three. It was nice to think you're dealing with it, it helps.
 

Had screening because of a family history of breast cancer, and a cancer was found on her third screen.

So they did the mammogram and told me to wait, and just for the few minutes while we were waiting, still thinking they were going to come out with a smile on their face, and say no, no we think it's fine, it was just a shadow or something that wasn't clear on the x ray. Unfortunately they didn't. They came out and called us in and they could see something, and they wanted to get the consultant or the doctor that was there to have a look. He did a physical examination of the lump and then asked if they could do a biopsy there and then, which I had to....

Could you feel a lump?

No. No I couldn't feel the lump, and I felt really guilty that I couldn't feel the lump. I felt as though I should have been able to have found it. I checked, it was only - by the time they removed it, it was only two centimetres. When they did the biopsy she thought it was about one and a half centimetres, so it probably hadn't grown much by the time I'd had it out. They did a biopsy on that day, and then we had a very long three day wait, to go back to the hospital for the result. I think both of us knew [she and her husband] in the back of our minds that the chance it would be good news were quite remote, given the family history. 

And then we went on the Friday back to see the consultant and to get the result of the biopsy. And they broke the news to us then that it was cancer.

Recommends that women with a family history of breast cancer have breast screening.

I'd recommend them [women] to go, because if I wasn't being screened there's no way I'd have found the lump, even after they'd detected it I came home and still couldn't feel the lump. So I don't know how long it would have been if it had got left, before it was noticeable. If it was growing inwards I probably wouldn't have noticed it. So I'd definitely say to go for screening. If people have got a family history I'd say definitely seriously think about being screened. And obviously with the older age group as well, you know I've said it before, if I hadn't been screened I wouldn't have known I'd had it. So to me it's the thing that saved me really, very positive, yes.