Mammogram Recall - wtf

[Allaboutthecheese1]

Had first mammogram a few weeks ago, now had a letter asking me to attend for further tests and ‘helpfullly’ pointing out that only 4% of folk get recalled but of them only 25% have cancer.

Feeling rather anxious now! Is this a common thing? I’m fit and healthy and only just 50 😳…. appointment isn’t for 14 days so I’m left to ponder…..

Yes, happened to me, happens more with first mammograms apparently as they have nothing to compare it with. Mine turned out to be an haemangioma, a tiny cluster of blood vessels. I won't tell you not to worry as quite frankly i was terrified and nothing anybody says will make you not worry. But I wish you all the best💐

They do err on the side of caution. The odds are great that it's nothing sinister. And even better that if it is, you have no systemic symptoms (weightloss without trying, night sweats etc.). If it's bad news, you'll still be going into this in a much better position than most. Fingers crossed for you x

I had a recall with my second Mammogram. Was totally fine. They did another Mammogram and and ultrasound and all was declared as well. Have had another mammogram since which was also fine. Don’t worry yet

And yes, they always state about the 4% cancer fact. Great isn't it.

I had it too on my first - harmless fibroadenoma. It's just that on your first, they've got nothing to compare too. My next was fine, they said 'oh yes there's that harmless thing'.

I had this after my first mammogram and it couldn't have come at a worse time, the day after my mammogram my dad was admitted to hospital for palliative care. I was in bits and so anxious and scared.

It was fine. After I cried at the receptionist, cried at the radiographer, cried at the doctor, they all explained that when it's your first mammogram, they have nothing to compare your images to. The younger you are, the more dense your breast tissue and there are bits they didn't see properly on the first go. So they took more images and I was given the all clear there and then.

I completely understand how you are feeling and it's easy to say that it'll probably be nothing - but it'll probably be nothing. Tell the staff if you are upset/anxious. They were all so lovely and kind to me.

Good luck!

I had a recall, about my 6th one so had comparisons. Wasn’t anything to worry about

Happened with my first one. All turned out to be fine, and no call backs from subsequent ones. As everyone has said, it’s because they have nothing to compare the first one to.

Thank you all, that is reassuring and I’m trying not to google things. I think putting those stats in the letter is possibly less helpful than reassuring frankly…

would it say if it were a recall just because they’d not got a good enough picture?

It happened to me. They just wanted a better picture. I won't say that I wasn't nervous though.

Yes. Absolutely. With my recall it was just they wanted more pix from different angles.

Thanks - do they specify in the letter they just want another picture? Mine just refers to ‘additional tests’ which is what is slightly freaking me …. Or are all the letters just standard?

Hi, OP -

I had one recall, on my third mammogram. As with PP, for me it proved to be nothing. But the larger point is that even if there is a problem, statistics (for a cure) are on your side.

No, it is my impression that the letter does not give a clue as to why the recall. When I was recalled, my intake nurse told me what seemed to her to be the issue. But she was careful to speak informally and conditionally. She was proved right.

Very best wishes

My letter named the doctor I would be seeing during the additional tests.

How are you doing, OP?

FWIW, I just remembered that when I was younger (too young for breast screening) and living in America, my doctor ordered a diagnostic mammogram. That showed calcifications.

Then I moved, within America, and eventually started breast screening (earlier, there) and then moved here. The screening images did not follow me, but it wasn’t until my third screen that the calcifications showed up problematically again.

Then my fourth screen was fine.

I hope your results are good, but even if there is a problem you are doing the right thing and facing very good odds.

Sorry that you having this worry op.

It’s the downside of their being so many tests that we can have these days that we have to live with the concomitant anxiety and uncertainty of test results. It’s not really addressed in a wider context.

It’s great that these tests, investigations and screenings are available but a lot of time being anxious is generated as a by product.

I have breast cancer (successfully treated 🙏)

My recall letter stated in bold ‘It is very important that you attend this appointment’

So I took that as a clue 😅

Try and fill your time between now and the appointment with activities/friends to distract yourself and best of luck 💐

I was recalled after my first one, 2 areas of concern. One was a calcification and one was a fatty deposit. Nothing of concern since on the further mammogram. The 2 weeks between the letter and the appointment was by far the longest of my life.
Hope all is well OP.

Struggling through. Normally I’m a super optimistic person but I am only thinking of worst case scenarios. As the weather is so nice I want to be out enjoying it but feel like I have this hanging over me. And then I feel very selfish! Arrggh!

Same here. Sending my best wishes @Allaboutthecheese1

6??? Wow you poor thing. Going through this once is bad enough!! Respect to you 💪

Help, this is really freaking me out. I know I shouldn’t fear the worst but it’s all that is on my mind. What if it’s late stage ?

it is a horrible wait and it sounds like you’re having a hard time, which is rubbish esp when people are gadding about being all bank holiday-ish.

If it is anything worrying they will get on with treating it ASAP, which won’t be fun but will likely save your life.

I know you can’t switch off the worries, but it can help to tell yourself very firmly that just because something is scary doesn’t make it more likely to happen.

it is much much much more likely to be a recall for different/clearer imaging and potentially ultrasound if there’s anything they can’t identify which is extremely much more common with first mammograms.

The waiting is horrible and we who are responding have been there!

The fact that this was caught be imaging and you hadn’t noticed anything means that (a) it is statistically likely to be benign and (b) if it isn’t, it is likely to have been found early.

I know from my own experience how scary it is. But that doesn’t make these statements less true.

Can you treat yourself very well today and tomorrow?

I got a recall after 1st because of calcification. She told me not to worry about a recall after the first as v common.