I took this photo today while waiting for my mammogram. Women are invited for regular (free of charge) pap smears and mammograms in Sweden. I am sure this cuts costs in the long term because any problems are detected quite early. I know many women do not go because they feel uncomfortable, but the waiting rooms are always full anyway.
There is always an interesting atmosphere in these waiting rooms. Unusually for Sweden, people make eye contact and smile at each other. Perhaps in solidarity, perhaps out of genuine good will for good results for everyone. Everyone in the clinic I visit is there for routine checkups. People who have been referred by doctors go to another part of the building.
I have always found mammograms very painful, so I take a painkiller before I go. Last year I had to go in twice because the images were blurry so this year I tried to think of nice things when the squashing started.
I wonder how often men are checked for breast cancer? It is not that common but it does happen. My uncle had it.
In Sweden also receive a home stool sample kit after a certain age, and men receive prostate cancer tests from the age of 50. The frequency of the tests depends on the region.
I am taking part in the Stockholm Mammography Risk Stratified Trial, a phase-2 clinical study about breast cancer screening. I am in the control group so I will carry on as normal and fill our surveys for two years. Those in the individualised group will have to participate more actively.
