Mrs R’s Story | Enhanced Breast Screening

In spring 2024, 69-year-old Mrs R, a retiree, keen gardener, and walker, was busy helping her son and his family move into and decorate their new home. It was at this time that she first noticed a worrying pain in her left breast.

'I went to my GP in early April, was given naproxen [an anti-inflammatory drug], and saw him again 2 weeks later when there was no improvement.'

Mrs R wasn’t offered any screening, so with the pain persisting and no routine mammogram due for another 2 years, she decided she didn't want to wait. 'I was worried that the pain meant something was wrong, and that leaving it might make matters worse.'

A swift and easy experience

After a family member contacted Welbeck on Mrs R's behalf, she received an email asking for some simple information, with a form to follow. 'All very easy and friendly. Everyone from my first booking enquiry onwards was very helpful.'

In less than 72 hours, Mrs R was at Welbeck for her enhanced breast screening appointment. She went into the appointment with mixed feelings: 'I hope they don't find anything wrong. But if there is a problem then it's good that I know about it sooner rather than later.'

From the moment she arrived, everything felt swift but never rushed. 'At no stage was I kept waiting. There was a helpful person on the ground floor reception desk, someone to meet me when I arrived on the right floor, and I was shown into a clean and modern room to change.'

Care at every step

Mrs R's mammogram was carried out by Johanna Kelsey, Welbeck’s lead mammographer and Enhanced Breast Screening Manager, who Mrs R said 'couldn't have been more patient or kinder'.

Each enhanced breast screening appointment lasts 30 minutes. There's plenty of time for questions before the screening, and every mammogram is carried out by a female mammographer. If an ultrasound is recommended, this can be done at the same visit, so there’s no nerve-racking waiting. You then go through your results with a consultant radiologist before you leave.

Just 5 minutes after getting dressed again, Mrs R was sitting down with a consultant to hear her results. 'I felt as if I were my consultant's only patient that afternoon.'

The news was good. 'Thankfully the mammogram showed there were no causes for concern, which was a huge relief. The lack of a long wait was good - most reassuring!'

Peace of mind for a special summer

With some important events coming up that summer, getting answers quickly was a top priority. From first enquiry to results, the whole process took less than a week.

'It was worth it for my peace of mind most of all. I had a couple of big events happening that summer, my daughter getting married being one of them, and I wished to be able to enjoy them without a nagging worry at the back of my mind.'

Mrs R now believes the pain she experienced was simply a pulled muscle from carrying her granddaughter 'for most of 3 days', but at the time she had no way of knowing.

Her advice to others

For anyone sitting with a similar worry, Mrs R's advice is simple. 'If you can, it's worth going private to find out quickly what’s happening. Staff are able to spend time with you so they can explain things more fully. Having professional yet friendly staff makes a real difference.'

Whether you've noticed a change or simply want peace of mind, our Women's Health centre can help.

If you have symptoms, such as a lump, our breast triple assessment brings a consultant examination, imaging and, if needed, a biopsy together in one appointment, so you get answers sooner.

If you do not have symptoms, our enhanced breast screening offers a 30-minute 3D mammogram with your results at the same visit.

Contact our Women's Health centre to book.