Calcification after mammogram

[IwanttoWFH]

Hi everyone. I’ve used the search function but can’t find a recent thread that fits my situation.

I am 41. I was due to have private surgery for a breast uplift and implant exchange (I’ve lost quite a bit of weight and my implants - which are 17 years old now - are too big for my frame, so I was having them replaced with smaller ones and an uplift).

Due to being over 40, my consultant said I had to have a mammogram, which I paid for privately. This was on 29th September. I then received a call that evening saying there was a calcification showing on the left breast that needed further investigation.

I saw another private consultant on 5th October who said there’s a 50/50 chance it’s cancerous or pre-cancerous, the radiologist wanted a biopsy, and I need a guided biopsy. As this would cost £3K privately and I’m self-funding, he suggested I go via the NHS pathway.

My surgery has now been cancelled and I await my appointment. My GP has referred me under the “suspected cancer” pathway. My NHS app says the referral is being reviewed. This was updated on 8th October.

Does anyone have any recent experience as to how long I will be waiting and what to expect? The consultant I saw said it’s roughly an eight week wait!

I am freaking out with the not knowing and whether it is likely to be cancer or not (no history of it in the family). I guess I’m after anyone who has been through similar and a rough idea of what is going to happen/the process

I had this about 3 years ago. I had. Further mammogram and a suction biopsy which removed it and it was benign. They told me that if it wasn’t benign at most it would be DCIS a stage 0 cancer with a nearly 100% cure rate. So whilst I was clearly highly stressed before the results I wasn’t booking my funeral if that makes sense

I had calcification show up on a regular screening mammogram and booked for guided biopsy within the week and got results a week later. All within the 2ww

I was told calcification is rarely cancerous though obviously needs checking

I understand your worry! I had calcifications show up in a mammogram when I was having the other side checked for a lump (the lump turned out to be benign). I had lost weight just before this and assumed it would be due to that. I had the calcification biopsied and mine was DCIS - quite a large area. I waited about 3 week for the biopsy, 2 weeks for the results and then had a mastectomy 3 weeks after that. DCIS is a very low grade cancer so the mastectomy was curative and I didn’t need radio or chemotherapy. Getting it checked out is the right course of action - wishing you all the best!

Thank you all. This is reassuring to hear. I’m hoping I won’t wait too long.

When I had breast cancer there were calcifications and extensive DCIS as well. I think calcifications can be harmless but often go alongside breast cancer. The good thing is that there wasn't an obvious lump on the mammogram. Waiting times vary with areas. Usually it's a dedicated breast clinic.

The breast clinic is a one stop shop. They have doctors, radiologists and specialist breast care nurses. You will probably have a mammogram first and then see the doctor who will have the results in front of her. The doctor will examine you and then arrange an ultrasound. They may do a biopsy at that point as well.
Then you go back in to see the doctor.
Their expertise is such that they often know at this point whether it’s cancer and they will tell you if they think it’s likely, they won’t send you home without a clue.
This can easily take 3 or 4 hours but at the end you have a good idea what’s wrong.

You could find out if your local hospital has a breast clinic and ring them to find out what the waiting time is and offer to take a cancellation at short notice.

Thank you, that’s really helpful. Glad to hear they’ll give you an indication there and then.

The consultant I saw at the hospital also works for the NHS, so he told me to ask to be referred to his hospital, which is slightly outside my catchment area, as he is already aware of my case. They have accepted the referral and it says it’s at the RAS stage, which I understand is a triage before I get an appointment.
He also told me I’d need an experienced person to do the biopsy, due to me having implants.

I will give them a call tomorrow and see what the waiting time is like.

Same as @quequerido