Screening Testimonials

‘I had a mastectomy in 2021 at the age of 56. Since I was 40, I had been seeing a private breast consultant due to an inverted nipple and my mother's history of breast cancer. Despite regular mammograms, my lobular cancer was only discovered at age 56 through a breast check mammogram. After my mastectomy, I reviewed my medical records and discovered I had dense breasts, which I wasn’t informed about. Dense breast tissue can mask cancer, and I feel let down by my consultant for not offering additional imaging over the years. Had I known about my dense breast tissue and lobular cancer risk, more could have been done earlier.’

Breast cancer, Ireland

 

‘I haven’t had cancer detectable through screenings, but I firmly believe cancer screenings are crucial, especially cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer can be prevented if women participate in screenings and take the HPV vaccine. However, in Finland, a new issue has emerged. The cervical cancer screening invitation letter no longer includes a date and time for the screening; women must now book the appointment themselves. This change could lead to fewer women attending screenings, as booking might seem too difficult or time-consuming. When a specific time and date are provided, women are more likely to write it down and go. This change could result in more cervical cancer cases, which is concerning.’

Cervical cancer, Finland

 

‘I had a false negative screening after feeling a change in my right breast. The radiologist assured me everything was 100% benign, but I trusted my body and sought a second opinion. At a breast centre, I was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer through a biopsy. While I believe breast cancer prevention through mammography is essential, patients must understand that no screening is 100% accurate, and that no doctor is always right. Mammograms, especially for younger women with dense breasts and lobular breast cancer, have limitations. I wish MRI was offered as standard after-care for lobular cancer patients in Germany, as it's currently the best method to detect this type of cancer and its recurrence.’

Breast cancer, Germany

 

‘At a routine health screening at work in 2001, when I was 54, I was offered the chance to take part in PSA testing. Unfortunately, I tested positive and needed further diagnostics, which showed that I had prostate cancer. After undergoing multiple treatments, I am fortunate to be in relatively good shape at 78. Having seen family and colleagues diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer pass away, I am very much in favour of screening for prostate cancer in men from 45 years old onwards.’

Prostate cancer, The Netherlands

 

‘My lobular breast cancer was discovered during my last free breast cancer screening. In Finland, women receive free breast cancer screenings up to the age of 68-69. I am grateful that the cancer was caught in time.’

Breast cancer, Finland

 

‘In previous years, I had to travel to the next town for breast cancer screening, which meant an expensive taxi ride and a significant time commitment. Recently, I had a screening in a mobile unit located in a supermarket car park, and it was simple, quick, and within walking distance from my house. The latest equipment was used. I believe that this will increase screening uptake for those who may not have been able to travel to the next town.’

Breast cancer, United Kingdom

 

‘I had two clear mammograms in 2012 and 2013, but in 2014, after a biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lobular breast cancer. My cancer wasn’t detected through mammogram or ultrasound, only through an MRI. I later had a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Unfortunately, in 2022, my cancer metastasized to my omentum. My initial diagnosis was missed due to my dense breast tissue.’

Breast cancer, Ireland

 

‘My personal experience with screening has been positive. As a student in Romania, I benefitted from free screening, and most patients here do as well. However, I’ve noticed that people living outside big cities face challenges, often having to travel many hours for screening, which can delay treatment. While mobile screening was introduced, many people were reluctant to undergo the procedures, so more education is needed. I was diagnosed with melanoma and had to undergo sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND). On the same day, I had an MRI, CT scan, and radio tracer technology, and the competent staff successfully located the cancer.’

Skin cancer, Romania

 

‘I got regular mammograms, but my lobular breast cancer, was invisible on the mammogram even on the day before surgery. I have dense breast tissue and a family history of cancer. I understand MRIs may be too expensive for the public system, but if only a gynaecologist had informed me that I needed occasional MRIs, I would have paid for them myself and spared myself the mastectomy, lymph node removal, and the complications that followed. Lobular cancer is common but often invisible in early stages, except on MRI.’

Breast cancer, Finland