Recall after first mammogram

[Catmadlady12]

Hi, never posted and not a huge social media user but I sort of need to talk to people I don’t know. I went for a mammogram (my first) about 2.5 weeks ago and received a text this morning reminding me of my breast clinic appointment. It really shocked me - when I got home the letter had arrived advising of a recall. I’m literally terrified - I know it’s not logical but can’t stop crying and of course thinking the worse. I’m practical, I do know it could be BC but just scared. Not sure why I’m posting but judged needed to write it down.

This happened to me and I posted on here at the time. I ended up having a biopsy but it was a felt that it was v unlikely to be cancer - it was just calcification and I’ve got a titanium marker now for next time.
They were lovely at the breast clinic and really looked after me. Something the nhs does well.

Happened to me too. I had some cysts on one breast, and no need for treatment then. I have had another routine mammogram since with no recall.
Like you I was freaking out to be recalled, but everything was fine.
Easier said than done, but try not to worry too much, in all likelihood there will be nothing wrong, but it is always best to have these checks.

I had this and I was TERRIFIED. Didn’t help that I had lots of other things going on at the same time including a terminally ill parent but I just went to pieces. However much you read the statistics it doesn’t really help.

anyway, I went back to the clinic for second screening, cried on the receptionist, cried to the nurse, cried again at the lovely lady doing the mammogram. I was given the all clear VERY quickly by a lovely doctor who explained that younger women have denser tissue which is harder to see through, and that as it’s your first test they have no other images for comparison.

I started a thread on here about it too and got loads of support. Wishing you luck.

This happened to me and after a few tests/procedures it was discovered that I had some abnormal cells that might - just might - have become something nasty. They were successfully sucked out and I now get a more frequent mammogram to keep an eye. I know the waiting is stressful. Best wishes.

@UsualChaos and this why we must have mammograms right (although atm not knowing seems more attractive 😂). I did sleep last night and reg appt is tomorrow. Your messages are so reassuring.

Absolutely. Despite a worrying few weeks I am so very grateful to have had that tiny cluster of pre-dodgy cells picked up. I now have a titanium marker in my breast so that they can easily check the area next time. Everybody was lovely and caring and I'm just so relieved. I've just done my first poo test too, which came back fine, so I'm feeling super-grateful for the services we have.
Good luck with your next step.

I was recalled after my first earlier this year - I was petrified but it turned out to be just because they didn't get quite enough of the pectoral area in one of the images because I have such tiny boobs! Got my results a couple of weeks later and they were all clear.

@spiderlight thank you for replying - the support is great and really need it today

Just an update if anyone else is looking for reassurance. So the mammogram picked up a cluster of calcification. Consuktant thinks it's on but they are cautious and therefore have taken some biopsy's. A long afternoon but the breast clinic staff were exceptional and I have been well liked after. And thank you so much for all your support - made a massive difference.

Realise I can't spell - consultant thinks ok

That's good news. Hope you're feeling a bit less anxious about the whole thing. It's really scary to get a recall.

I has this, not uncommon after your first mammogram, I believe. I had a biopsy, turned out to be a breast ‘mouse’ which may have been there for years.

Glad the consultant was reassuring.

Thank you

I think it's an amazing service - and they were very overly cautious which is what I want if I'm honest albeit all a bit worrying

Yea feeling reassured

I have this too. Lymph nodes in my breast tissue on one side. It's a common variant.
I got called back for an ultrasound after my first mammogram.

Good luck Op.

Just read your update Op.
I'm glad your appointment went well.
You must be wrecked after it.

I certainly feel like I've been on quite a marathon today

Yes. It's very draining.

I had the same experience and findings as you OP and after the biopsy the BC made me an appointment to come back the following week for the results. However, the day before the appointment the B C nurse rang me up to say they had the results and it was good news. She asked if I wanted to still come to the appointment the next day or talk through the results with her over the phone instead and ask her any questions. I chose the latter and felt reassured. Since I had booked the next day off work for my appointment I could then have a day out with dh instead 😁

Ah thank you - they are just so good at being reassuring.

I'm 53 and almost always get recalled - the first time scared the life out of me.all is fine but what I would say is at the preventative stage they are screening. So even though I've never had any progression from a recall it helps for me to remember when I'm waiting that at this stage everything can be treated x

So true

Just make sure you look after yourself and take it very easy for the next week as the pain and swelling after the biopsy will get worst before it gets better. I took pain killers as needed and wfh for the following week as I found even moving around and sleeping on the painful side awkward