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Original poster

Recall for breast screening

48 replies

Rosscameasdoody · 05/04/2024 11:10

Need a bit of advice. I’m mid sixties. I went for breast screening about ten days ago and have had a recall letter this morning saying that they need more tests before I can be given a result. The additional testing may include breast examination, further mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. I had difficulty with the screening because I am physically disabled and the awkward angles needed during the mammogram were difficult. There is nothing on the letter to indicate exactly what the problem was, and I’m wondering a) if others here have had a similar experience and if so, what was the outcome, and b) could it be that because of the difficulty they just didn’t get what they needed the first time around. Thanks in advance

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 05/04/2024 11:13

Hey OP, I had this recently and all was fine at my recall - they needed to double check on some factors which turned out to be nothing. Most of the time - the majority - the call backs don’t identify a problem. So try not to worry, it’s good they are so careful. Easier said than done I know! But the statistics are you’re probably fine, they just need to check something again.

Original poster
Rosscameasdoody · 05/04/2024 11:42

AtrociousCircumstance · 05/04/2024 11:13

Hey OP, I had this recently and all was fine at my recall - they needed to double check on some factors which turned out to be nothing. Most of the time - the majority - the call backs don’t identify a problem. So try not to worry, it’s good they are so careful. Easier said than done I know! But the statistics are you’re probably fine, they just need to check something again.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. That makes me feel a bit better. On the plus side, I haven’t got long to wait - the appointment is for next Tuesday, so fingers crossed the outcome will be similar to your own.

OP posts:
FlowerBarrow · 05/04/2024 11:47

In your case it’s even less likely to be concerning as you also have a reason why the original plates might not have captured the images they needed

AceofPentacles · 05/04/2024 11:51

I had a call back last time, they did see something on the mammogram, did an ultrasound and said I had cysts, apparently they are more common with people taking hrt

AtrociousCircumstance · 05/04/2024 11:58

Glad you don’t have too long to wait @Rosscameasdoody Most likely all is well 😊

PutOnYourRedShoesAndLetsDance · 05/04/2024 12:03

I'm 66 and had this.. a scan showed harmless cysts.. no biopsy required. I too am disabled and very big busted so was hard to get good results with mammogram alone.
Good luck.. I'm sure it's nothing.

Lurkingandlearning · 05/04/2024 12:09

Just to add to the numbers offering reassurance. I was recalled after my last one. The images were unclear. I was told to take a deep breath or just hold my breath (can’t remember which now) at the recall and all was fine.

Probably no point telling you not to worry…. Try to distract yourself with something absorbing that you enjoy

Original poster
Rosscameasdoody · 05/04/2024 12:27

Thank you to everyone who’s replied - makes me feel a bit better. I think it’s just the initial shock of getting the letter. I’ve recovered equilibrium a bit now.

OP posts:
DaftFlerken · 05/04/2024 12:43

yes, I had a recall on my first mammogram. Had a repeat mammogram, ultrasound & biopsy there & then & they added a marker in my breast to show where they had biopsied.

Results of the biopsy where that it was nothing & all perfectly & they now know to ignore on future mammograms due to the wire marker they inserted.

Non of it was painful at all & apparently very common to be called back on your first test

ZittiEBuoni · 05/04/2024 12:44

Just adding my voice to the 'harmless cysts' crowd. I was very anxious about the recall as 2 people close to me had recently been diagnosed with cancer, but it turned out to be nothing.

Original poster
Rosscameasdoody · 10/04/2024 11:36

Hi again. This is by way of an update. Went for the clinic appointment yesterday and had a 3D mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy. Invited in for a chat afterwards with the consultant radiographer to discuss results so far. There was an area of concern on the original scan, which is why I was called back - the area looked significantly different than on the last scan two years ago. The consultant radiographer is 99% sure what we’re looking at is a small malignant tumour.

The ultrasound revealed that there is no local spread, and no involvement of lymph nodes. The biopsy results will be back in time for a clinic appointment on 19th April with the consultant surgeon to discuss treatment options, but the doctor I saw yesterday is certain that they will confirm her diagnosis. They’re also fairly certain that the tumour is small enough for local excision - hopefully by vacuum method, which is giving good results. There may be a need for a small amount of either chemo or radiotherapy before and after surgery, as belt and braces insurance. So quite a day, and now looking at the world from a slightly different perspective. But they’re positive about the outcome and actually using the word ‘cure’.

Posting this update in the hope that it’s helpful to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. The procedures yesterday were admittedly scary, but I feel so much better knowing for sure, even though the news was not the best - but on the better end of ‘bad news’ if you see what I mean. I would urge everyone to self examine - get advice from GP’s etc as to how to do it properly as it does make a difference, and don’t be frightened to speak up if you find something you’re not sure of.

Thank you to everyone who’s replied and I’ll keep you updated as to what happens next week.

OP posts:
ZittiEBuoni · 10/04/2024 11:51

Thank you for the update and sorry it's not the best news - but getting it checked was absolutely the right thing to do. Wishing you all the best Flowers.

TellySavalashairbrush · 10/04/2024 13:01

Sorry to hear this op, but its great that they caught things early and can treat you fairly easily. Definitely emphasises the importance of everyone attending mammogram screenings. I wish you all the very best.

Cattyisbatty · 10/04/2024 13:33

Sorry that they found a malignant lump. I had a recall nearly 2 years ago and I was lucky in that it was just calcification. The Dr said I would’ve never felt it where it was so it’s v important to get your mammograms.

DaftFlerken · 11/04/2024 14:33

sorry for your news OP but it does look like the outcome will be positive

DriftingDora · 11/04/2024 15:02

Sending all good wishes, OP, it sounds that they're on top of it, which is positive news. Wishing you well very soon, and keep us all posted, please, when you've got time.

Take care. x 💐

poetryandwine · 11/04/2024 15:45

Very sorry for your news, OP, but so glad it was caught early. I hope everything goes well now. All the best

Original poster
Rosscameasdoody · 11/04/2024 19:35

Cattyisbatty · 10/04/2024 13:33

Sorry that they found a malignant lump. I had a recall nearly 2 years ago and I was lucky in that it was just calcification. The Dr said I would’ve never felt it where it was so it’s v important to get your mammograms.

This is the important thing isn’t it ? I do self examine regularly and thoroughly - even consulted our GP to find out how to do it properly, because breast cancer is in the family. The one thing that really hit home when I got the call back is that I didn’t find anything myself - can’t feel anything now, except for the bumpy bits where the biopsies have been taken.

The Radiographer said that it is quite deep in the tissue on the top of the breast and that by the time I had actually found something or experienced any symptoms, it would likely have been too late for conservative treatment. The call back was because when they compared the standard mammogram from two years ago with the one I had a couple of weeks ago, there was a change in the appearance of the tissue. The diagnosis was confirmed with a 3D mammogram and ultrasound of that area, which confirmed their suspicions. So glad I got the invitation for mammogram when I did.

OP posts:
Year7mom · 13/05/2024 23:42

Just to update on a recent recall after a routine breast screening.
Recall letter said the screening showed a need for further investigations and they were inviting me to go back in a weeks time to have a variety of tests.
Letter stated that an average of 4 in 100 patients were called back and 3 of that 4 got results which were benign, so 75 percent got the all clear.

TBH a week long wait would have left me without a hair left in my head as I was frantic with worry. All rational about the 75 percent getting the ok went straight over my head.
On phoning the hospital breast clinic I was able to get my appointment brought forward to the following day - very lucky.
I did not sleep well at all that night but on arriving at the hospital and having another mammogram, scan and hand examination I was given the all clear.
I was lucky and one of the 75 percent.

It’s really hard not to panic when you get that recall and even harder to stay grounded and wait for the appointment. If you have got a date that is quite far away it’s worth calling to see if they can fit you in sooner. If I hadn’t called I’d still be waiting until the middle of this week for my recall.

If You can try to stay away from the statistics and numbers on the internet it may help.
some of the sites are helpful and people bother to feed back the positive stories but a lot feed back their negative ones.

I assume by the reaction of many of the women at the recall clinic they’d all had ok results. I hope the same is for anyone reading this.

Please feed back your positive experiences as they’re needed when people have these anxious waits for their appointments.

Original poster
Rosscameasdoody · 15/05/2024 10:35

Year7mom · 13/05/2024 23:42

Just to update on a recent recall after a routine breast screening.
Recall letter said the screening showed a need for further investigations and they were inviting me to go back in a weeks time to have a variety of tests.
Letter stated that an average of 4 in 100 patients were called back and 3 of that 4 got results which were benign, so 75 percent got the all clear.

TBH a week long wait would have left me without a hair left in my head as I was frantic with worry. All rational about the 75 percent getting the ok went straight over my head.
On phoning the hospital breast clinic I was able to get my appointment brought forward to the following day - very lucky.
I did not sleep well at all that night but on arriving at the hospital and having another mammogram, scan and hand examination I was given the all clear.
I was lucky and one of the 75 percent.

It’s really hard not to panic when you get that recall and even harder to stay grounded and wait for the appointment. If you have got a date that is quite far away it’s worth calling to see if they can fit you in sooner. If I hadn’t called I’d still be waiting until the middle of this week for my recall.

If You can try to stay away from the statistics and numbers on the internet it may help.
some of the sites are helpful and people bother to feed back the positive stories but a lot feed back their negative ones.

I assume by the reaction of many of the women at the recall clinic they’d all had ok results. I hope the same is for anyone reading this.

Please feed back your positive experiences as they’re needed when people have these anxious waits for their appointments.

I got the letter on Friday and the appointment was for the following Tuesday. I didn’t panic and rang the breast care number on the letter for advice - l was advised it could be for a variety of reasons, and that it didn’t mean l had cancer. Part of my concern was that the call back was so quick - it suggested urgency, but the adviser said that they keep all call backs to a timescale of within a week, as they’re aware that they cause concern. So l think you were lucky to get one earlier than that. For myself, it turned out that l do have lobular breast cancer, diagnosed very early and spotted because of the mammogram, so the prognosis is good.

OP posts:
poetryandwine · 15/05/2024 10:50

I am so sorry about the cancer, OP, but very glad it was spotted early and has a good prognosis. I hope your treatment won’t be too bad. Very best wishes xx

Original poster
Rosscameasdoody · 15/05/2024 21:32

Quick update. I went for an MRI scan today as the consultant wanted a better idea of the size of the tumour before deciding what surgery is appropriate. It’s lobular breast cancer and apparently they’re notoriously difficult to size from the mammogram as they don’t form a traditional ‘lump’ as such, but a thickening of the tissues.

On physical exam the consultant thought it was a bit bigger than they first thought, and advised that up to 5cm a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy is feasible and then I’ll be on hormone treatment for life. If the tumour is in excess of 5cm mastectomy is the preferred surgery as that’s the only option which allows for the margin of healthy tissue, buy there would be no need for radiotherapy and hormone treatment would only be for five years.

I was a bit concerned because the MRI scan was of both breasts, when the cancer has only been detected in one. The radiographer explained that MRI is the gold standard so while I’m in the scanner it’s appropriate to re check everything as ‘belt and braces’. Hopefully they won’t find anything else, but it’s a scary prospect. Clinic appointment is next Tuesday, 21st May, so I’ll update again when I have the MRI results. Thank you to everyone who has responded - I feel much better knowing I’m not alone.

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 15/05/2024 22:13

Thinking of you OP - it’s excellent that they have caught it and are doing full investigations in order to sort it out, but it sounds scary 💐 Be very kind to yourself.

poetryandwine · 15/05/2024 22:15

Rosscameasdoody · 15/05/2024 21:32

Quick update. I went for an MRI scan today as the consultant wanted a better idea of the size of the tumour before deciding what surgery is appropriate. It’s lobular breast cancer and apparently they’re notoriously difficult to size from the mammogram as they don’t form a traditional ‘lump’ as such, but a thickening of the tissues.

On physical exam the consultant thought it was a bit bigger than they first thought, and advised that up to 5cm a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy is feasible and then I’ll be on hormone treatment for life. If the tumour is in excess of 5cm mastectomy is the preferred surgery as that’s the only option which allows for the margin of healthy tissue, buy there would be no need for radiotherapy and hormone treatment would only be for five years.

I was a bit concerned because the MRI scan was of both breasts, when the cancer has only been detected in one. The radiographer explained that MRI is the gold standard so while I’m in the scanner it’s appropriate to re check everything as ‘belt and braces’. Hopefully they won’t find anything else, but it’s a scary prospect. Clinic appointment is next Tuesday, 21st May, so I’ll update again when I have the MRI results. Thank you to everyone who has responded - I feel much better knowing I’m not alone.

I will be thinking of you on Tuesday, @Rosscameasdoody If you are up to it, please let us know how it goes. Very best wishes xx

Year7mom · 16/05/2024 01:28

Truly hope you get the best result possible! Whatever ways, these consultants know their stuff. They’ll get this under control for you! Xx