Forum Discussion

Stewie's avatar
Stewie
Member
5 years ago

Refused mammogram because I had one six months ago

I had my annual mammogram in November 2019 where they found a small lump and biopsy revealed it was breast cancer. I had been having annual mammograms because my mum had breast cancer.  December 2019 I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes tested but the cancer had not spread. In January 2020 I had daily radiology treatment and no chemotherapy was required.  My surgeon checkup requested I have a mammogram in November 2020 which was booked and a follow up appointment set for two weeks later

May 2020 I had rib/chest pain and an mri was undertaken. It showed abnormalities in the breast so a mammogram was undertaken and all clear. The pain was probably due to the radiology treatment. 

November 2020 I attended foe my mammogram and the mamographer refused because I had one six months ago to do the mammogram and she left the room and rang my surgeon who allegedly agreed I should wait six month for my mammogram. 

I said I wanted to have the mammogram because I never felt the original lump and I wanted to celebrate 12 months of being breast cancer free. The mammographer was a bully and made me feel humiliated. I wanted to have my annual mammograms every November because this is the milestone of my journey. When the mammographer rang my surgeon she should have done it in the room with me and gave me the opportunity to discuss my feelings with the surgeon

i cried the half an hour trip home and cancelled my surgeon appointment because I no longer trust him and are hurt how he didn’t consult me

Since this episode I have advised my GP that he is no longer to discuss my case with the surgeon or my oncologist. I am devastated and said I will sue them if breast cancer is detected in my mammogram in six months which will be undertaken at another facility in another town because I can’t ever face that mammographer again

My appointment had a referral and I was a full fee paying private patient and should have control of my care as it’s my body and I wasn’t concerned about the radiation that the mammographer said she was saving me from and I told her I had daily radiation treatment so I wasn’t worried about that

Then I received a phone message from the breast care nurse saying she was returning my call when I didn’t even ring her

i can’t ever go through the humiliation of attending a mammogram with the fear of being refused again so I will now be undertaking a double mastectomy by a surgeon in another town or Melbourne 


emotions
mammogram
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hello @Stewie, being treated like that by someone that you thought you could trust is terrible. It definitely plays with mind and emotions, and can cause traumas. But as the other ladies have said, please call your surgeon first and clarify how you feel about the whole thing. If you’re still not happy with their answer, then by all means seek a second opinion. Good luck with it all, and don’t let anyone ever again humiliate you for wanting to take care of your health 💪🏻❤️
  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    5 years ago
    Ok, that's just not good enough.  Since when do surgeons take suggestions from the mammographer. Isn't it their job to get the referral and do what's on it?

    I can totally understand that you would want the follow up. I've had multiple ambiguous results and have had mammograms and MRI every three months for the past year. Nobody ever questioned the amount of scans I was having but me.
    Personally I would be ringing or emailing the manager of the radiology place and definitely speak to your surgeon personally.
    Definitely  take your referral somewhere else so you can get the peace of mind.
    All the best lovely.  I hope you get it sorted and maybe a call to the breast care nurse would be helpful.

    xoxoxo

  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    Just one more thing to note - your surgeon probably has no idea that this is so important to you. He/she got a call from a radiographer not from you. And most people are wanting less scans not more. Maybe call your surgeon yourself and express your concern. As TonyaM said, when you are angry and upset you should hold off making big decisions. Best wishes x
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi Stewie, do you still have the mammogram referral?If not,could you ask for it back and then take it to another radiology practice further away? It is very upsetting when goal posts are moved on you.Don’t make big decisions when you are angry and upset.The mammogram is important to you so find a way to have it done.
  • Abbydog's avatar
    Abbydog
    Member
    5 years ago
    This sounds like it has been very traumatising to you.
    Have you had any counselling to help you process what you have been through.
    Your Mum having had cancer too would elevate your concerns and anxiety, over control and testing.
    Is she OK? 
    I hope that you don't rush into the double Mastectomy. That is a big move. Would you follow with double reconstruction?
    Or go flat?
    True you wouldn't need to worry about Breast Cancer quite the same, there may still be follow up.
    Take your time, thinking of you.


  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    Oh @Stewie. I am sorry you’ve had this experience. It’s difficult - maybe impossible - for those who haven’t endured the psychological impact of having had cancer to understand the things we need to help us carry on. Such a small thing to someone else can be so important for our mental health. Sending a hug xx
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Dear @Stewie
    This is a really annoying and upsetting stuff up. Given what treatment can entail, one additional mammogram can hardly make too much difference. That said, there is absolutely no reason why you should be the one who carries the weight of someone else’s officious box ticking. I suspect the breast care nurse was trying to helpfully follow up, realising there is a problem. There is no reason why your surgeon can’t request a mammogram - who knows what was said in a phone call you didn’t hear. Please consider having a chat with your surgeon before doing anything further. Best wishes.