Recall after very first Mammogram - I'm utterly terrified

[Gingerwine1]

Please help!
Had my first mammogram ever 2 weeks ish back. The lady said I may be called back as it was my first...and I have been.

I am completely terrified, I called the department and all they could say was they were checking my left breast.

I have always suffered with anxiety my whole life..and I had very bad health anxiety in my 20s.

So here I am...I can barely eat, I feel sick....scared to death. I cannot get a handle on my thoughts and fears...my appointment is Wednesday.

Please any words of any comfort if you have a moment to reply. xxx
THANKYOU x

I had the exact same thing and felt very anxious, especially as I had to travel 60 miles to a city hospital for my appointment. The problem proved to be small cysts in my breast tissue. I got the all clear straight after my scan because they show up differently to tumours. I was told that it's very common and, sure enough, a friend had the same thing a few months later.
Try not to worry, but do try to take a friend or partner with you for a hand hold, it will help.
Good luck.

Not in the UK but had the same here, they said it was because it was my first mammogram and while it's not unusual for women to have lumps, they had nothing to compare to and no baseline for what was normal for me so they just wanted to make sure.

I have a largish cyst in my right breast and a few hard milk ducts in my left due to a very bad bought of mastitis so I even got a sonogram so they had a really good picture of my lumps, location and sizes so they will be able to compare any future mammograms and pick up any changes quickly.

I know it's stressful waiting but it's not necessarily a bad thing.

When I had my first one they said it was fairly common to be recalled because they have nothing to compare the first images to as they do with subsequent ones. It’s absolutely impossible not to worry, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t but I hope whatever it is turns out to nothing of concern.

I have been called back multiple times - for cysts. They just need to do a more detailed exam, it may involve an ultrasound.

Once you have had a few they go back and compare earlier ones. The first one they have no idea if lumps and bumps are "normal for you".
Don't panic.

I had a recall too last year. I was also very anxious but all was fine. I had calcification which is normal with ageing. I now have a titanium marker for next time, so they’ll know it’s been checked.
I got as far as biopsy but they said all along it didn’t look suspicious, but they are thorough and very kind. They also said I would’ve never felt it myself as it was so small (something I also asked). They gave me a cuppa and biscuits before I went home as it was a bit of an ordeal (I won’t lie, a biopsy isn’t pleasant but they were so lovely).
good luck.

I know it's easy to say and very hard to do, but please try not to worry. As other posters have said, it's reasonably common to be recalled after your first breast screening, simply because they don't have previous images to compare to. Looking at the stats, you are nearly twice as likely to be recalled after a first mammogram as after subsequent ones.

Hope it all goes well for you on Wednesday.

I've had call backs a few times, same for almost every woman I know. It is very, very common.

Sometimes they simply need a clearer picture. Many of us have dense breast tissue (completely normal!) but makes for a "wall of white" on a mammogram so they may want to zero in on an area to get the clearest view possible.

Your first mammogram is a baseline, so they are being as thorough as possible.

I know it is anxiety provoking; I've been in your shoes a few times. Try not to panic. This is very, very common and does not mean you have cancer!

I was told at my first mammogram that they are looked at by comparing with previous ones so the call back rate is apparently over 20% for first timers and it’s usually nothing at all to worry about .

I got called back this time. It was a cyst. I cried when they did it was ok. This was my second mammogram. It’s much more common with first.

Callbacks are very common! Boobs are bumpy and prone to totally benign cysts and the like. Additionally it’s hard to get a clear reading too so it’s great that they are being totally diligent but most of my friends, inc me, have had a callback to check more carefully.

I had this and was absolutely terrified, clinging to the hope that it was just a bad image. But it was several fluid sacks, which is apparently extremely common as you approach menopause. They drained them there and then, which was completely painless and then I was given the all clear.

I know it's hard OP but try not to worry.

The waiting is absolutely the worse time, so sending a gentle hug.
I was recalled on my very first screening mammogram, no symptoms, no palpable lump, and it was a grade 3 cancer.
Hopefully yours will be a false alarm, but even if it isn't, catching cancer at such an early stage means it is very treatable.
Mine was 2018.

I was recalled too. Very scary. Calcifications. And they had nothing to compare. Had ultrasound and biopsy. Followed by all clear.

I think the best way to approach is to follow all their instruction but don't worry about it until they tell you there is reason to worry. Things are still very likely to be ok

Hug

Thankyou for replying xxx I can't stop feeling terror! Xxxx

Thankyou for replying xxx feel scared to death today xxx awful dreams haven't helped xxxxx

So sorry that you are upset. I understand where you are coming from. When is your appointment? I wish you luck.

Try not to panic. This is the most important thing. Think of it this way - it's better to be recalled to have further screening and then be told you're all clear. I know this is what I and everyone else on this thread will be hoping for you.

You might well have been called because the imaging wasn't clear - if you have dense breasts, mammograms aren't the clearest method, ultrasounds are. But it's the former that's the first port of call, and unless you have self-presented with a lump, they rarely do ultrasounds at the initial screening.

When you return, they will do another mammogram, or they might just skip this and go to an ultrasound and if needed, a core biopsy.

You're in safe hands. The most important thing is to not panic.

Wednesday xx :( I really appreciate all the messages I have had. I can't talk to my Mum either as she has Dementia xxx I am just sat on the floor at the mo feeling sick! Xxxx

I know that it's easier said than done but try keeping yourself busy. It really is a distraction, even if only temporary.

Thankfully it's only a couple more days away. I'm thinking of you.

@Gingerwine1 I'm sorry, I know the terror and felt it myself. Maybe you'll take some comfort in my experience....

Had a routine screening mammogram, got a call back. Went back in had a diagnostic mammogram (zoning in on a specific area on one breast) followed by an ultrasound. Due to dense breast tissue they couldn't get a clear look at the suspicious area and I was sent for an MRI.

It ended up being a benign cyst. It has been documented and obviously they monitor for changes when I have my routine mammogram, but that was 20 years ago and I am fine.

Try to distract yourself as best you can. Being scared is completely normal and understandable. Can someone attend the appt with you on Wednesday? I will be thinking of you and sending good wishes your way. Take care.

I am sooo grateful for your message xx my husband doesnt know what to do with me xx he is more worried about my mental state xx I had very bad health anxiety some years ago xxx thank you x he is coming with me x it doesn't help that the person on the phone could tell me much detail. She just said left breast abnormality...very matter of fact. I have barely been able to eat for 5 days now! Xxxxx im sorry for my melt down here!!!xxxx

@Gingerwine1 Do not read anything into the demeanor of the person who telephoned you. They don't have any information beyond the fact that there's an area that needs further imaging. They are trained to use matter-of-fact language. Don't give that another thought. She isn't hiding anything because she doesn't know anything.

Could you telephone your GP and get a few low dose Valium to see you thru the next few days? Just something to take the edge off and allow you to eat and rest a bit?

I remember in the midst of my screenings I had to attend a parent/teacher conference at my son's school. I was so distracted that I'm sure the poor woman thought I was a bit strange😬. But I got thru it and you will as well! Just hang in there.

That is such a good idea...I was thinking about that.....xxxxxxx i will call in the morning...sending you a hug xx you are so kind to message me xxxx I really appreciate it xxxx

I got a recall on the first one, it was folded tissue which was screened by ultrasound and found to be fine.