Thanks for this thread @avant-garde it is a very important topic.

I’m glad you got through your testing ok.

 I did not have a screening mammogram for about 10 years after I was supposed to have one because of my CSA background. When I finally worked up the courage I was found to have cancer (now treated). My GP was really leaning on me to have a Cervical Screening Test once I had the first cancer diagnosis. I did the home test which turned out to be negative but that was of course about 50 years overdue because I was a child at time of CSA, so I was very lucky.

 I had quite a deterioration in MH during the breast cancer treatment due to some of it being very similar and triggering. Because I was now in the cancer system I had a follow-up mammogram a year after first diagnosis and was found to have another cancer. Again my MH suffered during treatment but not as bad the second time. I had a very good psychologist through the oncology service to help me through the treatment.

It is known that people with MH issues have screening rates lower than the rest of the population. It is also known that people who have survived abuse have worse health outcomes in general and some of this is that they don’t seek medical assistance.

So thank you for a very important topic @avant-garde