To ask for reassurance about my mammogram recall

[OhFeckFatherJack]

First mammogram last week and straightaway recalled for follow up due to 'potential abnormality in my left breast'.

First I knew was when the hospital called
to book in an appointment at the breast
clinic. The appointment letter and leaflet has turned up since I'm sure they mean it to be reassuring but seeing that one in five of those recall have breast cancer is I must say a bit of a worry.

AIBU to ask for your positive experiences if you've been in a similar position while I wait for my appointment?

Haven’t been in this situation but if it helps things picked up on mammograms are overwhelmingly not cancer.
Have a hand hold while you wait.

Thank you @RafaistheKingofClay until the pack arrived I was hoping that too but the info says 4 out of 5 don't have breast cancer so it's a much higher worrying percentage than I thought.

I had exactly this. First mammogram and immediate recall. It turned out I had a cyst in my left breast. Apparently they recall more people the first time as they have nothing to compare it to.
On the day of the clinic they told me I’d have a very good idea whether I had cancer by the time I left and that there was an area of concern. I then had more mammograms in a strange rotating kind of machine and then when they still weren’t sure, they did an ultrasound. In the ultrasound they could tell it was a cyst and drained it there and then to be sure.
I was terrified, but it was honestly fine once I was actually at the clinic. Everyone was incredibly kind and nice. The waiting was the hard part.

(Oh and my letter like yours terrified me. I have no idea why they put that stat in)

Hi I have been called back and had to have a repeat mammogram followed by an ultrasound as they saw an abnormality but weren’t sure whether sinister or not. Turned out to be a cyst which they drained then and there. I was so terrified but it was just a cyst. Very common. Hope this reassures you 🙂

I got recalled from my first, at the age of 47 as part of a clinical trial. I had more mammograms, an ultrasound, a physical examination and a needle biopsy.
About 2 weeks later I went back to find I have some calcium deposits by my left armpit. They may have always been there, but until I had a mammogram nobody knew. They can also be a precursor to something, so now they check them every 3 years and if there were any changes I'd be back in a shot.
The doctor was very reassuring because anything picked up by screening is found much earlier than if you had to wait until you noticed any symptoms, so the outcomes are excellent.
It's easy for us to say, but try not to worry too much until you know what's there x

Thank you ladies for bringing your experiences, they really help.

I had the same - recall, several different scans over a series of appts, ended in a biopsy. It’s a fibroadenoma - benign. Impressive bruise from the biopsy, and a very worrying few weeks, but all fine.

It’s ok that you’re worried.

I also had a recall from my first mammogram, ten years ago - they found a cyst and drained some exciting green fluid from it (apparently quite normal). Nothing since, and my last one was only last month. As pp said, your chances of recall are higher after the first one.

So, I’m one who got recalled on my first ever mammogram and it was cancer. I had zero symptoms.

The breast clinic they usually do a 3D mammogram (the rotating machine mentioned by a pp) and then they do an ultrasound. If they see something concerning, they will then do needle biopsy/biopsies there and then, although you are offered option to come back later date (but who would?!).

These are sent to the lab and tested for cancer.

Two weeks later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, mine was caught early. I am post surgery and pending radiotherapy. It is scary not going to lie. You need support. I am alot less afraid now and looking forward to finishing the treatment. When it’s caught early, chances are very much in your favour that you still have a long life ahead of you. I hope this makes you a little less afraid.

Thank you

I had a recall after my first mammogram. When I went back for the second scan I was kept waiting for ages and worked myself up into a state. I was imagining all sort of catastrophic outcomes. It was all fine, as the majority are. I am sure yours will be too. I have friends who had to have punch biopsy's they were all find too. They err on the side of caution in my experience.

I also had this and was terrified. Turns out they often recall if they didn't get a clear enough picture. Nothing found, but like you it was an agonising wait. Fingers crossed yours is something like this.

I’ve just had my 3 year scan after being diagnosed in my left breast. Following a lumpectomy and then radiotherapy I am scanned every year at the beginning of Dec. So my last 3 Decembers have been difficult as it’s not the ideal time of year to be waiting for outcomes.
I’ve just heard today that they want me back to re scan something on the other breast. Total panic my end of course, don’t want to tell my family and put a downer on Christmas, but this is causing me to have a mini wobble. Scan is Friday so I will just have to put my big girl pants on for the next couple of days. I can relate to all the other worriers here….

I know it’s been a while since this post was started but how did you get on OP?
I had my first mammogram last Monday, and received a recall letter for further tests for 9th June. I’m petrified and I’m convinced I’m riddled with Cancer.

Peach, if the OP isn’t on line to respond, you might just find people don’t notice your post and just read her initial post and you won’t get the support you need. It might be worth starting your own thread so your comment doesn’t get missed.

It’s your very first one, so you could have all manner of completely harmless cysts that they just need to confirm are nothing to worry about. It doesn’t mean that you’ve got anything to worry about. But it’s so positive that they’re being so thorough and are doing it quickly. I have them annually because of a genetic thing, so I sort of get that fear you’re going through, but you haven’t got the facts yet, so try not to think worst case scenario just yet.💐

Thank you. The waiting isn’t great. X

I had a recall after my first mammogram. Had a biopsy. It was just a mark (a ‘mouse’ kind of an internal mole) that could have been there a long time. They explained that it’s not uncommon to receive a recall after your first one (I later discovered that 2 close friends had also had recalls after their first one). The first mammogram provides a ‘map’ to compare subsequent mammograms.

Macmillan's support line is open every day from 8am until 8pm if you'd find it helpful to talk to someone.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-support-line

Remember that right now there is no evidence for your fear of being riddled with cancer - that's just a thought, not a fact.

Try and focus on other things between now and your appointment. Could you make plans to do something nice to take your mind off your worries?

Recall after a first mammogram is very common I was told when it happened to me . Apparently it’s because they have no previous ones to compare it to, they don’t know what’s normal for you . After my first I had additional tests and had some spots of calcification so markers were placed . My second mammogram went straight through with no issues .

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. I’m hoping it will be ok. I guess if I’m honest I have noticed a bit of intermittent tenderness around my left breast and towards my armpit, though I am left handed and use this a lot for my work, I also carry a heavy work bag usually in my left hand, and I have a dog that can pull on lead a fair bit.

Breast pain is common and isn't usually cancer.