Breast Screening

You mentioned you've been going for breast screening every time for quite a few years now?

Yes, yes.

And how long does that carry on for, do you know, up until when?

You can, see I'm over sixty-five so therefore they don't send out automatic appointments to you but they state that you can, if you ring in, they will fit you in regardless of your, when, I think the other one's up to sixty-five they come through automatically like with say maybe from the doctor's surgery or they have you on file. But over sixty-five, you have to like keep an eye yourself on the years and phone in. And there's no problem, they just make an appointment for you, so that way there's no excuse.

So you would carry on?

Yes, definitely now, definitely like after this [recall], even though it was clear it just makes you more aware, like of the importance of having it done.

So if you don't receive a letter in three years you'll phone and make an appointment? Are you, do you have it in the back of the mind it's every October, every three years, that kind of thing?

Well it was, it was March normally, as I say, every March and I always had it at the back of my mind, well it must be coming near it and I just kept it, like at the top of my filing, where I keep all my other [laughs] documents. And I just keep it on the very top, the letter, like where they say it, everything is okay. Well I just check the date and to make sure that, it's something that sticks in your mind, like a birthday or something you just, it was always March, now it'll be October.

And would you want to carry on going for screening after the age of seventy as well?

Well the nurse, except, when she was giving me the card with their number on it, I could ring up and make an appointment in three years time, she said, “The older you go, the more likely you are to have breast cancer.” It may slow down but it could be, you could still have it or get it. So I think they're encouraging people to, it's only a phone call and especially when they're bringing their mobile up here to [hospital name], as you know I'm quite near [hospital name]. I mean can go in on the bus or whatever, or driving whatever, but it's not far, and it's only, you know, half an hour or so, an hour out of your day. So I say it's, well it's there but I think you've just go to help yourself too.

I am really pleased that they have upped the age limit from 64 to 70 because people are living longer and people of 60-65 do not seem old people. Even if you are old, you should still have it done. I appreciate now you can still get it done over 70 if asked for, but I  think that should be actually advertised more because, until I went to the last screening, I didn't know that this has actually gone from 64 to 70 which made me wonder in the beginning when I hadn't heard and I thought I had been missed, but I hadn't, that was just a misunderstanding on my point, that I was so pleased because I was thinking this was the last time I was going, time I was going to get it.

Yeah. So people should be told more that it is up to the age of 70?

70, and if required afterwards you can ask for it, according to the information I was given on this visit.

You were given that information at the visit, but you didn't have a leaflet with your invitation?

No, whether it was just unfortunately missed, you know, left off I don't know.

That is a very good point. So when you get to the age of 70 would you like to carry on?

Well yes. I can't see why people at any age, over the age of 50 obviously, you have them done before if there is a problem, but you know, I don't see, because some people 75, 80, are so active and so energetic and so healthy, and so well. But it doesn't mean to say that they couldn't be treated if they, you know, got a lump or any other type of thing to do with cancer. 

So you would phone after the age of 70?

Well I think I would. I think I would. I definitely think it is a marvellous thing to' well it is prevention. Not in every case but in lots and lots of cases, it is prevention.

My only problem is that last year I asked [a friend who speaks English] to book an appointment for me but the hospital did not answer me, they say because I'm, I'm over the age so I don't need to go back. But I would like to go back to check up. I'm under 70. I don't know if I can still have these check-ups after 70 years old, I want to know but haven't heard anything since my last check-up four or five years ago. Really my concern is I want to have the check up, another check up, but don't know if I book with them or if I am entitled or if I need to go see my GP, ask the GP. 
 

In terms of breast screening, women are invited up to the age of 70, up to the age of 70, they receive a letter. After then it is up to them whether they want to go for screening. They would have to phone and make an appointment. Would you want to carry on after the age of 70 to go for screening? 

It would depend how fed up I was [laughs]. Depends how fed up I am with life, you know, the screening and x-rays and all that, you know, but obviously I wouldn't mind after 70 provided I am fit and happy. Because if I am not going to be healthy at that age, then quite frankly I wouldn't mind succumbing to the illness. Who cares? You know. But obviously if I am healthy then I wouldn't want this to make me, wouldn't want any sort of cancer to make me unhealthy. But if something should go wrong before the age of 70, say for example I am handicapped or in a wheelchair, then I don't care, one more illness like cancer will kill me off quicker, you know.

So it depends on what is happening at the time?

Exactly. Exactly. Yes.