Hormones 2016

Breast Screening
When do I get my results?
When you have had the mammogram, the specialist female member of the
screening staff will tell you how and approximately when you will get your
results. Make sure you have received this information before you leave the
unit (Programmes, 2006).
What does it mean if I am called back?
Some women (about one in every 20 that are screened) are called back
because the appearance of the x-ray suggests that more tests are needed.
Do not be surprised if we call you back and then tests show that there is
nothing to worry about. Most women will not have any problems and we
will call them back again in three years’ time as part of the routine screening
process (Programmes, 2006).
What if I need treatment?
If we call you back and you need treatment, a team will look after you. They
will make sure that you get a high quality of acre and treatment at all times.
Breast cancer treatment is always being improved and reviewed. As part of
this process, we may invite you to take part in a trial where we will compare
the effects of different treatments. You do not have to take part in any trial
that we offer you (Programmes, 2006).
Risks and limitations of breast screening
• Screening involves exposure to small amounts of radiation - although
the risks here are very small.
• Sometimes mammograms detect a tumour that might not have caused
any harm to the woman over their lifetime - this is called "overdiagnosis",
and is one of the main criticisms of breast screening
programmes.
• Screening is able to detect breast cancer but it won’t prevent the
disease, so it’s vital that people are breast aware, especially between
screening appointments.
• Occasionally some patients are recalled because of unclear mammograms
or for more tests (Campaign, 2014).
How reliable is breast screening?
Mammography is the most reliable way of detecting breast cancer early but,
like other screening tests, it is not perfect. For example -
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