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 don’t mean to unnerve people, but it’s really important to realise that not all breast cancers are lumps. My breast cancer was many centimetres but there was no lump.

@TrueScrumptious, lobular cancer? That's what I'm worried about as I have no discernible lump, but it feels lumpy and much harder than the other side.
I hope you are ok now.

@TrueScrumptious I second this.
In 2018 mine was picked up on my very first mammogram - no lump as it was buried so deep.
Just calcifications showing on the mammogram.
Yet it turned out to be grade 3 and in 2 lymph nodes, so meant chemo.
BUT...it was caught early, and was treatable.
I was told I wouldn't have felt it for 18 months or so.
Which just goes to show how important it is to attend mammograms.

Good luck tomorrow, @Gingerwine1

Waiting for the results of my first mammogram at the mo. I was warned that the chance of a recall was relatively high

Precisely. And the added disadvantage of lobular cancer is that it is hard to detect on screening, and not because it is small. It spreads like a spider’s web and doesn’t clump together, and therefore doesn’t create the distortion needed for screening to see it. Many people, me included, have clear mammograms. I get very passionate about trying to make people aware.

@TrueScrumptious, I will have any and all of mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy as the consultant feels necessary. It could cost up to £1600, but knowing that I could wait at least another two weeks or so on the NHS, on top of the time I have waited so far (about eight weeks of having symptoms) is way too much to deal with.
I know I'm very lucky to be able to go down this route, but also very resentful for myself and anyone else in this position that the wait with the NHS is so long in my area.

Just sending best wishes op. I understand how terrified you are. The same happened to me & my friend after our first mammogram. We were both so scared.
I had a repeat mammogram with the same radiographer & then a scan done by a nurse & then the doctor. Nothing was found on the scan that gave rise for concern & I've never had any further recalls after subsequent screening. Hope all goes well for you.💐

@TrueScrumptious sorry to hear your outcome and I hope you are doing well?

@vipersnest1 I've come to bed with a cup of tea and scrolling amusing videos on TikTok as I've a morning of meetings tomorrow and need an early start.

I am fortunate that I have private medical insurance through work but I know it doesn't help in some circumstances and I'm hoping I won't need to look into it.

I have no lumps or bumps. I'm on HRT though and my breasts have definitely got larger but then I have all over since lockdowns. After receiving the call back I do recall being itchy on one side but I thought that was possibly due to new underwear.

@TrueScrumptious That’s really interesting. I had no idea you could have breast cancer without some form of lump. What were your symptoms?

@FeelingAnxiousNow, I don't have private health care.
Weirdly, I've been considering asking for HRT as I've been having some symptoms that might be fibromyalgia (I was diagnosed 22 months ago), but could also be menopause, or who knows what else? I've been sweating massively all over for the last few months, including today. It wasn't particularly warm, but I had to wipe away sweat from my face and had it tricking down my back. I don't know what to think, to be honest.

I would see it as a potential positive. If there was definitely an issue, it would have been picked up straight away.
I have had breast cancer and in my first mammogram, there was a great deal of immediate concern.

This happened to me in March. First routine mammogram aged 20. Recalled for further tests. Like you, I was terrified. Absolutely convinced myself that they had found something.

When I attended for my appointment I cried on the first nurse I saw, cried on the radiographer. Both of them were very kind. The consultant who I saw said that women at the younger range of mammograms tend to have denser breast tissue and this makes getting a picture difficult. The tissue is too dense to see through so they need to take another image from a different angle to make sure there isn't anything there. And because you have not had a mammogram before there is nothing to compare the images to.

I completely understand the fear and the anxiety. This happens to a lot of women and although I could tell you all the stats and probabilities that's not going to help. I hope you are seen very soon and that they put your mind at ease.

Typo - I was 50 when I had my first mammogram. Not 20. I wish.

Freudian slip? 😂😂

But yes, younger women often have dense breasts which makes mammograms especially tricky. Actually same for women on HRT, denser breasts not uncommon.

Very common to be called back but doesn't stop the worry. Try to think of it as positive, they are throughly checking you out. Easier said than done I know.

@Gingerwine1 just wanted you to know that I will be thinking of you today.

Thankyou xxxxxxxx :) feel sick x

Good luck to those having appointments today

Good luck!

Fingers crossed for all of you.

How did you get on at your appointment @Gingerwine1. I hope all is well.

Hello ! xx had a biopsy...got a 12mm solid unwelcome guest that may or may not be cancer. I was told it would be easy to treat but have to wait for results in 2 weeks xxxxx i strangly feel better now as I know what I'm dealing with xxx thankyou for your message and for thinking of me xx

I’m glad you feel calmer x

Sorry to hear that. Well done for being brave.

Thankyou x so grateful for all the messages xx