Mammogram call back am in total panic - help!

[jackieHP]

Just that really. Routine mammogram and just opened letter to call me back for further tests. Am abs terrified. Any help, reassurance, advice would be very welcome.

@jackieHP sending the biggest of hugs x on the positive side if there is anything untoward they will catch it early x hugs x its probably nothing but they are very thorough with testing x

Is it your first as they have a higher percentage of callbacks as they have nothing to compare it to. I was on my first but was a long time ago so I've forgotten the actual statistics but a very high percentage prove to be false alarms. I do realise though that this won't help stop you panicking, I was terrified. They're very good though at sorting everything out quickly at the breast clinic.💐

I had a recall last year. In my case it turned out there was nothing wrong. The mammogram is in 2 d which can show areas that need more examination to be sure I had a 3 d scan which gave me an all clear. I know every case is different but follow up appointments don’t always mean there is cancer. It’s very hard waiting though

No it’s not my first. I’m 60 so have had a few before.

I found a lump so went for tests. The mammogram couldn't determine what it was so I had to go for a scan and then biopsies. One was a cyst and the other is a fibroadenoma (a non cancerous thingy).

Another time I got called back because the images just weren't clear enough. (The radiographer didn't check them properly from what I can gather).

It's really, really scary but there's every chance you'll just be a bit lumpy like me rather than it being something more sinister.

Fingers crossed for you.

They may just need some further tests. I was in breast clinic just the other day, they gave me the full work up which included mammogram and ultrasound (and asked me to allow time for biopsy if needed but I was sent home after the ultrasound). I was referred with a couple of lumps which were deemed to by cysts after the ultrasound. If you are having routine mammogram they may have found some areas which they want to check over with ultrasound before they give you all clear.

Mine turned out to be a haemangioma (little criss cross of blood vessels, totally benign). Did have to go through the full range of tests though before they reached that conclusion, including surgical removal. Just saying to try to reassure anybody whose needle/core biopsies etc are inconclusive.

Sorry you have this worry. I was recalled just before Xmas after my 2nd mammogram. Was panicking, went to the clinic and had a 3D mammogram plus ultrasounds and fortunately it was positive news. They couldn’t find anything abnormal, it was put down to the possibility that some tissue had ‘folded over’ on itself in the original mammogram and was showing as an abnormality.
The waiting is torture…I feel for you.
Hope it’s nothing for you too x

I got a call back on my third and it was nothing. I’ve just had my fourth and no call back. The difference on my third was new technology and so I think it was more sensitive - but nothing untoward was found at the ultrasound.
I do empathise - the wait to find out is horrible. Sending you lots of love x

I'm sorry, but why go for a mammogram if you're going to "panic" about the results? Presumably you wanted to know if there were any unusual issues - now, if that's the case, they will be dealt with. Job done.

@Miranda65 what a ridiculous thing to say, of course people will worry.

I bet nobody ever comes to you for sympathy.

@Miranda65 what an insensitive comment. Are you usually devoid of empathy?

I got a call back last time I went. Turned out that one of the images wasn’t clear enough so they wanted to get a better pic. All fine.
So it’s not always bad news. Sending sympathy though because you can’t help but worry despite that ridiculous post above.

I had a call back from my second mammogram - turned out to be a cyst that they dealt with there and then.

For general info, whilst the NHS stops routine breast screening at age 70 you can request screening to continue at 3 yearly intervals.

How empathetic. 🤨

Most people would worry at being recalled. It’s more likely to not be anything sinister, but it’s human nature to freak out a tad.

Jeez. I have health anxiety. Forcing myself to go for routine tests fills me with horror, then waiting for the results, more terror. Then god forbid a call back because something isn’t ‘normal’…... Well that involves panic attacks and tears.

Im in a state of high alert at the moment because a liver scan I had last month has slight abnormalities. Just because I want to know what’s wrong, doesn’t mean I’m not scared of the possibilities.

I usually roll my eyes when people complain about how mean MN is. But fuck me, you are an absolutely awful person.

@jackieHPsorry you’re feeling stressed.
Only 5-10% of mammogram recalls results in a cancer diagnosis so chances are you will get the all clear.
Unfortunately my recall resulted in an early breast cancer diagnosis. I had surgery 6 months ago, followed by 5 days of radiotherapy and now I’m taking letrozole to block estrogen for 5 years. Honestly it’s not been too bad and I’m pretty much ok just a bit of joint pain. Even mu surgeon couldn’t feel my lump because it was deep so I’m so glad it was found by the mammogram.

@Miranda65 What a delight you are!
My god this place has got toxic. Someone needs help or asks a question and they have to wade through all manner of unpleasantness.

Of course she’ll panic over a callback. Wouldn’t everyone? What a ridiculous and unhelpful reply.

Mine was calcification of a lymph node. Hope yours comes back clear

Thanks so much for all of your help and support in the comments. As many of you have said, the waiting is torturous. LeftBoobGoneRogue, I’m sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis, but pleased that your treatment has gone well. Take care.

The last 2 mammogram I had, I was recalled. I have calcification spots in one area which needed checked out. The last occasion I had lots of additional mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy done. No cancer. I think it's natural to worry

Hi OP, did you hear from them? I've been thinking about you x