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Original poster

Recall after unclear mammogram

56 replies

KnittingNeedles · 14/03/2023 13:16

Had first mammogram about three weeks ago, have had a letter this morning asking me to reattend for further tests as my recent x-rays are "unclear". Does also say that a "substantial" number of women are recalled.

Nothing to worry about, right? Except I am very worried.

OP posts:
Fladdermus · 16/03/2023 17:42

I was recalled as the pictures were 'unclear'. At the appointment they said that something had shown up on the mammogram but they couldn't say what from the pictures. They did a scan, ultrasound I think, and the doctor said with was fluid, which they drained there and then. She said it is extremely common for women in the 40/50s to get these little sacks of fluid as they're caused by hormone changes. It's the most common thing to show up on a mammogram and they are nothing to worry about.

Fladdermus · 16/03/2023 17:43

Should have said, that's easy to say now mind. Between getting the letter and having the appointment I felt like I was teetering on the edge of a heart attack I was so scared.

DirtyDuchess · 16/03/2023 17:48

I had this on my first mammogram and they found an issue. It was dealt with so swiftly and sympathetically, I had a few pre cancerous cells which they removed. It was so easy and dealt with so well that I have NO lasting trauma and I feel so lucky that it was found. Mammograms all the way ladies. Good luck OP xxx

Sunnysunbun · 16/03/2023 17:49

I have just dealt with this. It was in Feb. A recall after my mammogram. I had to go to the breast clinic and have an ultrasound. I genuinely thought I might pass out with stress. But it was all fine. Just a small cyst.
I hope things go well for you. X

Original poster
KnittingNeedles · 16/03/2023 17:53

Thank you ladies. I really think the waiting is the worst bit. Your mind just does constant somersaults and yes, total sheer blind terror. I have been on the Headspace app all afternoon just to try to distract myself from thinking about it. It's a very worrying scenario but I really can't see a way round it - unless they have enough people to screen your first pictures immediately after the test before sending you home, and then sending people home if everything's fine, doing the further tests there and then.

Every smear I've had has been clear, my poo test for bowel cancer was clear - I think if I'm being honest I was almost 99% sure this would be clear too. And it was a huge shock that it wasn't.

Thanks all for positive stories. I'm up for having fluid drained with big scary needles or lots of poking and prodding if it means i'm not going to die.

OP posts:
GulfCoastBeachGirl · 16/03/2023 18:50

As you might have already gathered, I'm located in the US and I have my mammos done in a clinic dedicated to cancer treatment. They found that the #1 reason that women did not opt to have screening mammograms was due to the anxiety caused by callbacks, false positives and the waiting involved.

They've changed the procedure so that your films are read by a radiologist while you wait. If they just need a clearer picture you do it right then and there. If they want to do an ultrasound you can have it done that day as well (though you'll probably have to wait). So you do leave your appt with an answer avoiding the dreaded callback.

Not every facility offers this but it sure does take some of the stress and anxiety out of the process. I wish all centers could offer this.

Fladdermus · 16/03/2023 19:13

KnittingNeedles · 16/03/2023 17:53

Thank you ladies. I really think the waiting is the worst bit. Your mind just does constant somersaults and yes, total sheer blind terror. I have been on the Headspace app all afternoon just to try to distract myself from thinking about it. It's a very worrying scenario but I really can't see a way round it - unless they have enough people to screen your first pictures immediately after the test before sending you home, and then sending people home if everything's fine, doing the further tests there and then.

Every smear I've had has been clear, my poo test for bowel cancer was clear - I think if I'm being honest I was almost 99% sure this would be clear too. And it was a huge shock that it wasn't.

Thanks all for positive stories. I'm up for having fluid drained with big scary needles or lots of poking and prodding if it means i'm not going to die.

They drained the fluid with a massive, scary needle but it was so fine that I never felt a thing. I had my eyes closed as I was so scared and as I was waiting for her to start she said 'all done'. Having my flu jab was worse.

Original poster
KnittingNeedles · 16/03/2023 19:43

That sounds great, @GulfCoastBeachGirl.

OP posts:
GulfCoastBeachGirl · 16/03/2023 19:51

@KnittingNeedles It is a welcome change! They started the new process about 6 years ago. I wish I could say it was because they were concerned about women's well-being, but I suspect it was because they'd built this state-of-the-art cancer facility and their rates for the most basic of screening tests were abysmal.

Original poster
KnittingNeedles · 17/03/2023 10:57

Thank you to everyone who posted such kind messages of support. I attended the screening this morning and have been given the all clear - doctor said that I have dense breast tissue on one side and that made it harder to get a clear image. Repeated the mammogram on the side of concern and they got a better image. Very very relieved and all the staff in the centre were very kind and understanding.

Have also been asked to take part in a clinical trial run by Cancer Research UK and some major universities across the UK looking at alternative ways of imaging for women with dense breasts to decrease the number of call backs and increase detection rates which I will probably sign up for.

So it's the best possible outcome and I am so, so relieved.

OP posts:
toomuchlikemyusername · 17/03/2023 11:11

So pleased that all was well for you!

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 17/03/2023 11:46

That's wonderful news! Also great that they are exploring alternative screening techniques for dense breasts as so many of us have to deal with this.

Eightiesgirl · 17/03/2023 12:11

Wonderful news x

poetryandwine · 17/03/2023 12:58

Great news, OP. Very pleased for you!

RumHam · 17/03/2023 14:06

So glad you got the all clear! Great news to start your weekend with!

I haven't had a mammogram yet but my mum just went through a recall scare. This was her second recall. First time was dense tissue and she got the all clear after another look so she was worried that this time it must have shown something different than dense tissue but it was just the same again, they just wanted a closer look. The worry recalls cause is unbelievable!

tribpot · 17/03/2023 14:09

That's fantastic, so pleased for you. And really great if you can participate in research to help to reduce the number of future yous that there are, being worried about their recalls.

hattie43 · 17/03/2023 16:29

Fantastic news

NeedWineNow · 18/03/2023 22:51

AuditAngel · 14/03/2023 20:50

I had a recall last year after calcifications were identified. The follow up was scheduled for a regional hospital rather than my local one.

I received a call from one of the nurses to check I was happy with the follow up appointment time, and to explain the potential tests.

I had the more detailed mammogram and whatever had previously shown had gone, they also gave me an ultrasound to be sure, but I didn’t have to have a biopsy.

they were really good at explaining every stage and I got the all clear before leaving.

I had exactly the same on my first one. I know it's difficult not to but please try not to worry. I've just had my mammogram and mentioned to the nurse that I'd had some itching. She noted it all done and thankfully I have had the result and all clear. Hopefully all will be well with you.

NeedWineNow · 18/03/2023 22:54

Sorry OP my tablet jumped and I missed your post saying that you'd had the appointment and all was well. Good news!

FromEden · 20/03/2023 23:40

So glad to hear this OP. I found this thread because I am currently in the same situation. I'm 40 and just had my first mammogram as recommended here in the US. The letter states I have dense tissue but also that there was a finding that needs further imaging. It's so scary waiting. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer from a mammogram about 6 years ago (luckily she is fine now), so obviously I can't help but think the worst. Reading stories like yours is reassuring and help to dampen the worry a little bit.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 21/03/2023 00:37

@FromEden Sorry you're going thru this! Couple of things...Many of us have dense breasts; I believe that stats show that 50% of women over 40 will have dense breast tissue. This often means that the radiologist will need further imaging to get as clear a "picture" as possible, so try not to be too alarmed; it's very common.

When is your next appointment? Hopefully you won't be waiting too long.

I've gotten several callbacks over the years, sometimes requiring an ultrasound (completely painless) and once an MRI. Each time I got the "all clear" and odds are very good that you will as well. Take care

FromEden · 21/03/2023 04:14

Thanks for the response @GulfCoastBeachGirl. Glad it's always been ok for you! Apparently my doctor will be in touch next tuesday to 'discuss the results' over the phone. Like it doesn't seem very urgent? The letter from the radiology place says further imaging is needed and I will have to get a referral from the doc for that so I'm hoping that it is the case that they just missed some areas in the initial scan? Otherwise why would they be leaving me waiting so long even just to tell me what it is?

Original poster
KnittingNeedles · 21/03/2023 08:05

The doctor showed me what dense tissue looks like on the x-ray, it’s very white compared with the other breast tissue which is grey/dark. They cannot see “through” the whitest areas of tissue to make sure there’s nothing lurking behind. Another mammogram from a slightly different angle lets them see that. Also when it’s your first test they have nothing to compare with.

I very much understand your worry @FromEden and would advise distraction with trashy tv or whatever keeps you busy. Your age is very much in your favour.

OP posts:
FromEden · 22/03/2023 23:21

I spoke to the doctors office who said it's because of the dense tissue that they need another (diagnostic) mammogram and also an ultrasound. The next available appointment for that isn't until May so I guess I'll try and put it out of my mind until then.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 22/03/2023 23:32

@FromEden I'm sorry you have to wait that long; maybe see if you can put your name on a cancellation list?
But try not to read anything negative into any of this, it's so common with dense breast tissue. Hang in there!