Call back after first mammogram & terrified

[DragonWillow]

I have recently been for my first mammogram as I received a letter offering me an early screening as part of a trial (i'm 48).
I had no idea any was wrong but have been called back as I need further investigation ie examination, ultra sound & possible biopsy.

I am utterly terrified & it's now all I can think of - i'm not so bad during the day as my logical brain tells me it may well be nothing but my 3am brain is a different story & keeps me awake the rest of the night, it's all come as a bit of a shock

Is there any advice anyone can give me on what to expect when I go for appointment or questions I should be asking when I get there?

Been there, done that. All was well. Sometimes it is the case that the mammogram was not clear; most times there is a cyst.

Deep breath! I know it is a worrying time, but the balance of probability is that it will be nothing serious.

@Mischance - thank you, it's just so horrible not even knowing what they may or may not have noticed & they can't tell me until the appointment

Around 30% of first timers get a recall I think

that helps, some of the statistics are scary.

I've been called back three times and had three breast lumps. They were all harmless cysts. I totally understand your worry, it's the waiting to go back that gets you.

You will get through it, I promise you.

thank you all for your replies, it has really helped calm me down a bit

I’ve also heard that the recall rate is quite high for first timers because they have nothing to compare it to. Once they know what’s ‘normal for your breasts’ they have a benchmark, so it may be that you’ve got a cyst, or a bit of fat deposit or some other harmless little thing but they err on the side of caution; reassuring in one sense but inevitably makes you worry.

This is about eyes not breasts, but let me tell you about my SIL... she moved to a new city and went to a new optician who took photos of the back of her eye and suddenly got all serious because something showed up. Cue a couple of days of worry for SIL until they were able to contact the previous optician, get photos going back a decade and realised she had a freckle on the back of her eye which had been there forever, hadn’t grown and was just normal for her.

Honestly it’s far more likely to be some minor reason for recalling than something serious.

I totally understand how worrying this will be . As a PP says it is not uncommon to get call backs when it isn’t actually breast cancer . If they do discover a lump it might be a harmless cyst or a fibrodenoma rather than something more sinister. I apparently have “busy” boobs which means that I have had a succession of cysts, fibrodenomas and a benign phallodes tumour ( 8 in total ) so not cancer and it is perfectly normal to feel really nervous about it - i had my first lump taken out thirty years ago when i was 21 but I still was very nervous waiting for biopsy results of a large lump last year. If they do decide to do a biopsy , breast lump biopsies are straightforward and relatively quick - although a core biopsy might make you a little sore afterwards and you might get a bit of bruising . You can’t get the area wet for 24 hours afterwards . I’ve had needle biopsies to check cysts and iirc you can carry on as normal . The only other think I would say if you think you might have a biopsy wear a really comfy bra. Also I usually wear really baggy tops that are easy to slip on and off especially since you will need to wear a face mask as well - I made a mental note when I had a scan in August not to wear a tight fitting jumper when I go back in January . I can’t think of specific questions but as previous posters say it is entirely possible that you won’t need to ask them . Good luck .

thank you, good point about a comfy bra & baggy tops.

I have booked the day off work as I had no idea how I would feel, my appointment is first thing tomorrow morning so at least I won't worry all day

Back from my appointment, nurses & Dr all really lovely & have found something they think/hope is a small collection of cysts. Had 2 core biopsy’s & markers inserted. Now another 2 weeks until the results. Not the result I was hoping for but feel strangely calmer about it all, maybe still in a bit of shock

Just wanted to add to all the other comments that the recall rate is really high in the U.K., and even higher for your first screen, so most people who get recalled to assessment have something benign or indeed nothing. This 'erring on the side of caution' approach does mean we have a higher cancer detection rate than a lot of other countries, but of course means more women go on to have further tests that may turn out to be unnecessary. But we're a far more risk-averse nation than, for example, the Netherlands

Hope you're not feeling too sore OP.

Thank you Spam, feeling ok at the moment - not sure all feeling has come back yet but it’s ok so far. I don’t mind having the further tests especially if they turn out to be ok just all a bit of a shock & overwhelming

Thank you for updating us . It sounds hopeful that they think it is just cysts so fingers crossed for your results in two weeks . I have had two instances where they really weren’t sure whether it was sinister or not after the ultrasound and they were very upfront about it . But they have down biopsies on all of them to be certain . So I know the wait for results is horrible and there is no easy way to deal with it . For me distraction works best but everyone is different . Good luck .

So today is results day, it's been a really really horrible 2 weeks with a huge roller coaster of emotions.

One way or the other, at least the not knowing will be over in a few hours

Will be thinking of you

Wishing you well for today

thank you

I can finally sleep again - results are benign

Thank you everyone that replied, it really did help x

I went 2 weeks ago after being called back after my first too.

It was absolutely fine.
Reasons given:

1. they have absolutely nothing to compare first mammogram to so want a further one.
2. something seen, needs looking at
3. early detection, early treatment, better outcomes.
4. ultimately to rule out anything sinister.

Me, they did another mammogram, looked closely at an area of interest. They showed it to me, was like a white dot
Full examination of my bussoms.
End result, it was a milk duct.

Could have been an ordinary every day cyst, calcium deposit, abscess or tumour.

They were absolutely lovely, calm, explained everything, were kind, friendly & I felt completely at ease.
All fine.

@pickypolly - it's such a relief isn't it

Couldn't fault the team that looked after me, they are fantastic and really helped keep me calm, especially when doing an unexpected immediate biopsy. Really very grateful for their care

Oh good. So pleased it was good news for you.