why outpatients appointment after clear mammo & ultrasound?

[RitaFajita]

Had clear mammogram and ultrasound last week.

Was told all fine and they would write to my GP to confirm that.

I've now had a letter to go to see a consultant who specialises in breast and general surgery!!

Is this standard practise? But why waste resources if no problems?

Admin error? Could they have had another look at mammogram and found something?

Will phone tomorrow to see if can find anything out. Meanwhile my anxiety levels are sky high.

Anyone had this happen? Thanks.

Anyone?? Am scared stiff x

It's normal to be told the results by a consultant, and have an opportunity to discuss it all

Honestly, I wouldn't read anything sinister into it! Who told you the mammo and u/s were clear? I'm guessing a radiologist?

Thanks so much for replying.

I saw two people one for the mammogram then someone else for the ultrasound. I thought she introduced herself as a Dr though but could well be wrong!

She was probably a radiologist, and that would be a doctor who specialised in radiography

I've had (private) mammos and u/s where radiologist has told me everything looks fine, but still seen the consultant afterwards. It's protocol. I think they use that appointment to discuss the pain/lump/issue and, as it's nothing nasty from tests, what could be causing it, if it needs future attention, etc etc.

Sounds perfectly normal you'd have a follow up appointment, really wouldn't stress (says she - I of course would be clinically incapable of not stressing until I'd been signed off ) x

Thanks Elibean x

Hopefully that wasn't just you having excellent service by going private.

I've been googling madness I know, but all I can find is that reports are sent to GP and only get follow up with a consultant to discuss treatment plans.

I'm hopefully being silly though and prefer what you are saying

Hi,
This is most very likely standard. They always write to your GP to keep them up to date and then it's all on file.

You'll be going back to be told by the Consultant that all is well. Even though the radiologist told you this already, it should really be the consultant that officially gives you by our results.

Take care, don't stress and just be happy with your reassuring results xx

Thanks very much both - I suffer from health anxiety at the best of times and it had gone stellar!! But you've helped calm me down.
Will let you know how it goes on Fri x

Phoned the hospital and the breast nurse confirmed it is as you said - routine! She kindly checked my records too and confirmed all still OK. Phew! Thanks again

Did you have a lump?

I had a lump, a clear mammo and a clear ultrasound. Still ultimately needed the lump removed.
Often you need an experienced surgeon to feel the lump to see if they are satisfied with the other results.
I am fine now, if I hadn't seen the surgeon I might not be.

No lumps well other than a fibrodenoma have had for years. Was really just for peace of mind as I get lumpy breasts as part of my cycle and I wasn't sure what was normal anymore.

Still going to go for my out patients appointment. Its with a consultant surgeon so may ask them to do a breast exam for even more peace of mind.

Thanks for the advice worrying that you had clear results, glad you got it sorted.

I was in a very small minority as I had two fine needle aspirates and a core biopsy which all said normal, but consultant just wasn't happy. He said it is only 0.2 to 0.3% of cases where there is something even though all the results are clear. The art of medicine I guess he just wasn't happy that all these results were correct.

Gosh you were so lucky to be in such good hands. I didn't realise that fine needle tests and core biopsies could miss things too.

I had all these tests when my fibroadenoma was diagnosed - I guess five plus years later its safe to assume that diagnosis was correct? Silly question but that's health anxiety for you!

Mine all said normal breast tissue, but it felt abnormal. These aspirates and biopsies can only give you information about the but they remove.

Glad to hear you were reassured today. I get very anxious about health too and it's horrible to feel that way.

I have had a clear mammogram and ultrasound and then been back to see the consultant and he checked too so absolutely make the most of your appointment.

Glad you are feeling better.

Thanks LaFlotte