“Anyone can get breast cancer”

Jolanda knows first-hand how important it is to take part in the National Programme for Breast Cancer Screening. She took part in breast cancer screening at the age of 50, and the exam results were not good: the screening detected precancerous cells. She had an operation to remove the bad cells.

“If I had not been screened at that first opportunity, I would have needed much more intense treatment. So I was lucky. I often think: what would have happened if I had not gone? That 5-minute exam is no fun, but those minutes can save your life.”

At that early stage, Jolanda would never have been able to feel it herself. “I would only have found out once it started hurting, and by that time it is often too late. This time there was a small cluster of bad cells in my breast, like tiny grains of sand. Too small to feel on your own. I live a healthy life and no one else in my family has had any form of cancer. It just proves to me that anyone could get breast cancer. I hope other women will take part in breast cancer screening after reading my story.”

“If you feel unsure, it helps to talk about it”

Irene’s mother raised her to take part in the health checks that she was offered. “My mother was not actually eager to take part, but eventually she did get screened.''

Irene often hears people expressing hesitation about taking part. “A friend of mine was unsure. She asked me if I was going to take part. We discussed it at length and she did eventually make an appointment. In essence, she did not want to do the screening because she would have to have yet another health exam. And she was unsure if she even wanted to know the results. From my perspective, it is offered for free and easy to access, so why would I not take part? And if you feel unsure, it helps to talk about it with others.”

Irene does understand that some women are uncomfortable with the breast exam. “The exam is not pleasant, but it takes such a short time. And everyone has a different pain threshold, so it may not be all that uncomfortable. If you feel uncertain when you are in the exam room, just remember that the women doing the breast exam have seen thousands of others and do not have any opinions about your breasts.”

“I am relieved every time”

Yvonne is always a loyal participant in population screening programmes. “I am always nervous about the results. But relieved when everything turns out to be fine.”

She does not understand why people would not take part in cancer screening. “It is not always possible to sense if anything is wrong. And why would you not want to prevent something awful? Plus, it is so nice that this option is available in the Netherlands. It is arranged so well. And taking part costs absolutely nothing.

Of course Yvonne considers the cancer screening to be a bit of a hassle. “But if you follow the instructions for the self-test to check for colorectal cancer or cervical cancer, nothing can go wrong. And breast cancer screening or a smear test just involve one deep breath, and then it is over. I think it would help if we talked about it a bit more, because it is just as normal as going to the dentist.” 

“Not much fun, but it needs to be done”

Dukke’s husband was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year. The first time he was invited for cancer screening, he tossed the letter. He did not feel like taking part. After that, they found out he had cancer. That is why Dukke is definitely taking part in the population screening programme for breast cancer.

The stories she hears from some women that the breast exam is painful do not correspond to Dukke’s own experience. “It is unpleasant, but not very painful.” She explains that it can also vary: breasts may be more sensitive at times.

She vividly remembers her first breast exam. She recalls that ‘the bus’ for the mobile screening centre was always parked at the same location, and remembers thinking: that is not for me, because I feel much too young for it. Eventually, her invitation arrived and she took part. “They were friendly in helping me with the exam and it was over quickly.”

It was less painful than she had expected, although she did have some discomfort. It was over quickly. “It is not fun, we know that, but it needs to be done.”