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Mammograms
Posted by Irene
Mammograms November 11, 2004 02:07AM |
how ironic is this... I rang to make an appointment for my yearly 'breast sandwich', and told the clinic that I believed there was now free breast screening for age 45 up. They said yes, but due to lack of staffing etc etc etc (and there were a lot of etc's), that free screening was only being done for age 60 plus.
Has anyone else encountered this???? For something so important, I am only too happy to pay, but why are we being told there is free breast screening for 45 plus when this is not the case?:-(
Has anyone else encountered this???? For something so important, I am only too happy to pay, but why are we being told there is free breast screening for 45 plus when this is not the case
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 02:14AM |
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 02:24AM |
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 03:28AM |
Interestingly, I had not registered for breast screening as I have paid for it myself in the past. Decided to register after reading this to see what happened.
Pleasant young lady answers the phone. I give my date of birth and she says, oh you're nearly 50 anyway. Yes I reply so what is the issue there. No issue. Give her all the details that she requires and then get told I will be contacted by the Service Provider in my area. I ask who that is. She is unsure who it is in Hamilton. You would think that a person who is taking details and passing them on would know who the service provider is in the Hamilton area. Then I ask, how long before I get contacted. Well, it could be a couple of days but then it could be 4-6 weeks depending on how busy they are.!!!!
I think we are being lead a merry dance by the Government and the Health Boards. Debbie Short has achieved getting the age lowered to 45 with her petition but with the shortage of radiographers and staff to run the centres it has now created a problem in waiting lists. Does this sound familiar to you all.
I sympathise with you Irene about being on a waiting list. My brother was in hospital with a bad gall bladder attack. They kept him in until his condition stabilised and then sent him home as they had no room in the surgery waiting lists to have this operation. He had 2 more attacks and ended up in hospital each time. He ended up having it done privately at a cost. The government is saying that waiting lists are getting shorter, thats because they are falsifying the waiting lists or people are putting themselves into debt to relieve their suffering orgoing to the media and being a nuisance. I think more of us need to do this.
Sorry, a real bone of contention with me. Due to doctors and hospital inadequacies I have now lost both of my brothers and had they had the medical intervention that they needed they would both be still with us.
Helen CB
Pleasant young lady answers the phone. I give my date of birth and she says, oh you're nearly 50 anyway. Yes I reply so what is the issue there. No issue. Give her all the details that she requires and then get told I will be contacted by the Service Provider in my area. I ask who that is. She is unsure who it is in Hamilton. You would think that a person who is taking details and passing them on would know who the service provider is in the Hamilton area. Then I ask, how long before I get contacted. Well, it could be a couple of days but then it could be 4-6 weeks depending on how busy they are.!!!!
I think we are being lead a merry dance by the Government and the Health Boards. Debbie Short has achieved getting the age lowered to 45 with her petition but with the shortage of radiographers and staff to run the centres it has now created a problem in waiting lists. Does this sound familiar to you all.
I sympathise with you Irene about being on a waiting list. My brother was in hospital with a bad gall bladder attack. They kept him in until his condition stabilised and then sent him home as they had no room in the surgery waiting lists to have this operation. He had 2 more attacks and ended up in hospital each time. He ended up having it done privately at a cost. The government is saying that waiting lists are getting shorter, thats because they are falsifying the waiting lists or people are putting themselves into debt to relieve their suffering orgoing to the media and being a nuisance. I think more of us need to do this.
Sorry, a real bone of contention with me. Due to doctors and hospital inadequacies I have now lost both of my brothers and had they had the medical intervention that they needed they would both be still with us.
Helen CB
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 04:14AM |
Surprise, surprise. I have just had a phone call from the Breast Clinic and have an appointment for a mammogram on 30th Nov. 2004.!!!!! 2 available appointment times on that day only for the rest of the year. I questioned why so quick and because I will have celebrated my 50th birthday by then I qualify ahead of those who are younger!!!!! Now, does that make sense.
Helen CB
Helen CB
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 04:21AM |
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 04:51AM |
Irene, Have you registered with the Breastsceen Aotearoa? I think you need to do this to qualify for the free program. Freephone 0800 270 200.
My appointment just arrives in the mail when it is due. I usually have to alter it due to work hours but have never had a problem. Good luck. Lyn.
My appointment just arrives in the mail when it is due. I usually have to alter it due to work hours but have never had a problem. Good luck. Lyn.
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 04:52AM |
I went to the Womens Health Clinic in the Med Lab building on the corner of Knox St & Anglesea St. Next door to the court house. She questioned me about why I wanted another one done this year as it was only 12 months since I paid for my previous one and I said if you look at the history on the card you will see that I have had 2 scares and I am not about to be complacent..
Whether that had something to do with it I dont know. The woman there, Sandy was really pleasant and helpful and quite a hoot to talk to.
Helen CB
Whether that had something to do with it I dont know. The woman there, Sandy was really pleasant and helpful and quite a hoot to talk to.
Helen CB
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 05:35AM |
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 06:14AM |
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 06:16AM |
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 07:10AM |
Raewyn G
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 07:30AM |
I remember a male gynie who said to me "This won't hurt" The nurse was holding my hand and I think I cut her circulation, and I shouted at this mongrel Dr "Whoever told you that they ...........(beep) lied" The tears rolled out of my eyes and into my ears............ enough said. You girls know about the undignified positions we are put in! Thankfully I have been discharged from that clinic for a while but HE will be given his marching orders if I come across him again. I will be demanding my lady gynie and not the registrar BOY!!!!!!!!
Oops! I will put my soap box out into the garage, and shall give Breastscreen Aotearoa a call tomorrow and see what luck I have. I'm 45. Will report back. If they think they will give me stupid answers, I will wise them up. In the interest of all other women!!!!!!!!
Remember girls we were given the vote, and we are a force to be reconned with.
I think my hospital files already have a warning on them:
"DON'T MESS WITH THIS BIRD"
hahahahaha and good job!!!!!
Cheers
Raewyn:-o
Oops! I will put my soap box out into the garage, and shall give Breastscreen Aotearoa a call tomorrow and see what luck I have. I'm 45. Will report back. If they think they will give me stupid answers, I will wise them up. In the interest of all other women!!!!!!!!
Remember girls we were given the vote, and we are a force to be reconned with.
I think my hospital files already have a warning on them:
"DON'T MESS WITH THIS BIRD"
hahahahaha and good job!!!!!
Cheers
Raewyn
Re: Mammograms November 11, 2004 10:36PM |
Re: Mammograms November 12, 2004 12:39AM |
Have heard of a laser scanner, I don't know if it's any safer, but it would have to be a whole lot more comfortable??? It's probably more expensive, but I have reservations about the damage to soft tissue when turning healthy body parts into pancakes.
One of Hippocrates oaths, "First do no harm"?
One of Hippocrates oaths, "First do no harm"?
Re: Mammograms November 12, 2004 02:18AM |
Thank you so much Lyn for the Breastscreen Aotearoa 0800 number. Rang them in my lunchtime just now and they were good. There is a waitlist for 45-49yrs but that is due to the number of new woman coming on board - approx. 200,000 she said, but the waitlist is 12 months. So will do my private one every alternate year, and then from next year every alternate will be with them. As part of signing up they wanted to hear how I heard of them, and when I said through a foodlovers forum, she said well that's a new one, haven't had that response before
:}
Re: Mammograms November 12, 2004 06:27AM |
Likewise, thanks Lyn - I too rang the number, & was told that I would be "contacted in due course" ?? , but on seeing Irene's posting above, I wondered where you go for private breast screening? Is this through a Dr's referral, or did you just phone up somewhere from in the phone book?
Regards,
Lyn
Regards,
Lyn
Re: Mammograms November 12, 2004 06:30AM |
Re: Mammograms November 12, 2004 06:41AM |
Re: Mammograms November 12, 2004 11:15AM |
Re: Mammograms November 16, 2004 06:55AM |
Irene - Some advice for women under 50 opting to go private every other year, which I thoroughly recommend! However, if you can, don't disclose this to Breastscreen Aotearoa, because they will ask you if you have had one privately and then schedule you for two years from then for your next free one. The State plan to profit from women paying for mammograms privately themselves. Women who have had a mammogram privately are not eligible under the State system for two years, which is a disgrace.
It is so important to have a mammogram yearly from 40 - 50 years as cancer can be so aggressive in younger women. This is because a tumour can change its form from benign to malignant and advance very quickly. Self examination is important, BUT the average size of a lump found by a woman checking from time to time is 20 mm, whereas a mammogram can detect a 4 mm tumour which you could not find by self examination.
Tim and I are the couple who took the 124,000 signature Petition to Parliament with the result of having breastscreening increased to 45 - 69 years. Our Petition called for 40 - 70 years from the previous 50 - 64 years. I have recently been elected to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board and take office in December after which a lot of the questions you have raised in this forum are also questions I will be asking.
We are continuing to campaign for breast screening from 40 years, with a lot more funding to sort out the capacity problems with the delivery of the service. Don't despair - the Government has a lot of money that it is hoarding and next year is the Election "lolly scramble"!
Debbie Short
It is so important to have a mammogram yearly from 40 - 50 years as cancer can be so aggressive in younger women. This is because a tumour can change its form from benign to malignant and advance very quickly. Self examination is important, BUT the average size of a lump found by a woman checking from time to time is 20 mm, whereas a mammogram can detect a 4 mm tumour which you could not find by self examination.
Tim and I are the couple who took the 124,000 signature Petition to Parliament with the result of having breastscreening increased to 45 - 69 years. Our Petition called for 40 - 70 years from the previous 50 - 64 years. I have recently been elected to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board and take office in December after which a lot of the questions you have raised in this forum are also questions I will be asking.
We are continuing to campaign for breast screening from 40 years, with a lot more funding to sort out the capacity problems with the delivery of the service. Don't despair - the Government has a lot of money that it is hoarding and next year is the Election "lolly scramble"!
Debbie Short
Raewyn G
Re: Mammograms November 16, 2004 06:59PM |
Raewyn G
Re: Mammograms November 16, 2004 07:01PM |
Re: Mammograms November 16, 2004 08:47PM |
Debbie,
Thank you so much for all the work you have done to promote, enable and encourage younger women to obtain mammograms. Hopefully my own two daughters will be proactive in this area and enrol - and I will be passing on the advice I have gleaned from yourself and other valuable contributors to this thread.
One point though! You suggest that it is better not to reveal to Breastscreen Aotearoa that you have already undergone private mammograms - it has been my (long) experience that one is asked to take along any x-rays from previous mammograms for the obvious comparison process and if one is reluctant to disclose previous results surely this is rather unhelpful?? Or am I missing the point here??
Over several years I have experienced both mammograms done privately and through the system and I have to say (my opinion only of course and obviously others will have experienced the reverse) that the treatment provided at private Radiology clinics is far superior. I have had two done the other way and I found the process to be rushed and harried and the radiologist brusque almost to the point of rudeness. As a consequence I returned to a private clinic last January where for the first time there was a change in the breast tissue. I was immediately given an ultrasound scan which confirmed a 4mm lesion!! I had a cone biopsy shortly afterwards and for the time being the lesion is not malignant but I have to have my next mammogram in January 2005!
As an aside - come Thursday I cease to qualify for a free mammogram:/ - but I have already planned a private visit again anyway, so impressed have I been with the sheer professionalism and prompt ongoing attention the clinics provide! And believe me - I could really do with not having to shell out the money but it's too vital to neglect!!
Thank you so much for all the work you have done to promote, enable and encourage younger women to obtain mammograms. Hopefully my own two daughters will be proactive in this area and enrol - and I will be passing on the advice I have gleaned from yourself and other valuable contributors to this thread.
One point though! You suggest that it is better not to reveal to Breastscreen Aotearoa that you have already undergone private mammograms - it has been my (long) experience that one is asked to take along any x-rays from previous mammograms for the obvious comparison process and if one is reluctant to disclose previous results surely this is rather unhelpful?? Or am I missing the point here??
Over several years I have experienced both mammograms done privately and through the system and I have to say (my opinion only of course and obviously others will have experienced the reverse) that the treatment provided at private Radiology clinics is far superior. I have had two done the other way and I found the process to be rushed and harried and the radiologist brusque almost to the point of rudeness. As a consequence I returned to a private clinic last January where for the first time there was a change in the breast tissue. I was immediately given an ultrasound scan which confirmed a 4mm lesion!! I had a cone biopsy shortly afterwards and for the time being the lesion is not malignant but I have to have my next mammogram in January 2005!
As an aside - come Thursday I cease to qualify for a free mammogram
Re: Mammograms November 16, 2004 09:32PM |
Congratulations Debbie on the hard work you have done. That has actually really blown me away that you were the petition organiser, and I think you should be commended.
Renee, I think that what Debbie is saying, is that when you start with the free one, you have to take previous x rays of course, but to not let them know that you are continuing with your private ones on the yearly cycle, as then they will of course just make your appointments two yearly, knowing that you will pay for the private one in between.
I never realised they had a website either, so must thank Raewyn for that.
This forum, as always, is invaluable
Renee, I think that what Debbie is saying, is that when you start with the free one, you have to take previous x rays of course, but to not let them know that you are continuing with your private ones on the yearly cycle, as then they will of course just make your appointments two yearly, knowing that you will pay for the private one in between.
I never realised they had a website either, so must thank Raewyn for that.
This forum, as always, is invaluable
Re: Mammograms November 16, 2004 09:53PM |
Thanks for that Irene - and apologies to Debbie because I clearly misunderstood what she said :-o
I agree that this forum is absolutely invaluable and I would like to thank Helen for making the space available for us to discuss other concerns - foodie is great and I love it but clearly there are many other issues exercising our minds at any given time and this forum has become somewhere to air what is worrying us with what seem to me to be 'friends' - with a rich and varied input!
Thank you Helen.
I agree that this forum is absolutely invaluable and I would like to thank Helen for making the space available for us to discuss other concerns - foodie is great and I love it but clearly there are many other issues exercising our minds at any given time and this forum has become somewhere to air what is worrying us with what seem to me to be 'friends' - with a rich and varied input!
Thank you Helen.
Jeanette
Re: Mammograms November 17, 2004 05:04AM |
Re: Mammograms November 18, 2004 05:42AM |
Re: Mammograms November 19, 2004 02:06AM |
okaaaaaaaaaay I hope all you girls are happy.
I've had a referral from my doctor to have a mammogram sitting in my wallet for 6 months and have kept putting it off and putting it off.
You made me feel so guilty that I have rung the breastscreen nsw and now have an appointment for 1pm tomorrow (saturday). Results will be known in two weeks.
For my comfort I was told pants and a blouse are perfectly acceptable.
Regards
Sharon
I've had a referral from my doctor to have a mammogram sitting in my wallet for 6 months and have kept putting it off and putting it off.
You made me feel so guilty that I have rung the breastscreen nsw and now have an appointment for 1pm tomorrow (saturday). Results will be known in two weeks.
For my comfort I was told pants and a blouse are perfectly acceptable.
Regards
Sharon
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