Terrified

[Shoegal0305]

I have a thread already running on this, please forgive me for starting another, it's kinda gone very quiet and I'm really struggling.

Basically, I'm 47, got called for breast screening (part of a trial for under 50s). No lumps or bumps, no family history. Got the dreaded recall letter. Went back last week and was told I had two areas of calcifications in my right breast. They took a biopsy and put markers in to show the areas. Biopsy results came back yesterday, breast nurse said they were benign but one area no calcifications seen? She said I have to go back and have a vacuum biopsy next week. I'm beside myself with worry, I suffer from really bad anxiety anyway and this has pushed me over the edge. I keep trying to stay positive in the fact that she kept saying 'benign' but scared as to why I need the vacuum biopsy?

Advice???

I've messaged you.

There are lots of self help resources out there on anxiety, maybe have a look and give something a go?

I know how awful it can be to worry so about your health, it never leaves your mind and you just catastrophise over and over

@Mlou32 thank you. It's the whole breast issue that's consuming me x

I know. I can't really add anything about the actual breast issue itself because I don't know, but based off what people on here are saying, it doesn't sound like anything sinister. But get that confirmed by your doctor or nurse of course. It sounds like the anxiety is the overriding issue. I say this as someone who has went through similar. In my head, what I had was a tumour and I'd left it too late. I was consumed by thoughts of how much longer I had left and things I wanted to do before I died. I know it sounds ridiculous but it was my thinking at the time. But in reality, my issue wasn't really what was wrong with me, it was my anxiety which was taking a manageable situation and making me think the absolute worst. I really feel for you. Could you maybe give the nurse a call back on Monday and just explain that you have terrible anxiety and are worried sick and could she go through the results with you again?

if and when all this breast worry is over the anxiety will ease?
But only because there's nothing triggering it - like saying you don't have a phobia of spiders because you're not able to see one right now.

It's perfectly natural to be worried when you're recalled for tests, no-one is suggesting you just need to give yourself a slap round the face and pull yourself together

But I think once the breast stuff is out of the way, which hopefully will be soon, you do need to confront your health anxiety and get some help to develop coping strategies.

In terms of your letter, I think it's saying that in Breast 1 they saw microcalcifications but the sample they got didn't have any in, so they want to take a bigger sample just to be absolutely certain all the test results are consistent. But I would phone the breast nurse and explain that you have health anxieties and you just want to check you've understood what she told you when she called you. The letter basically says you've given informed consent for the procedure and I'm not sure that's true.

@tribpot @Mlou32 thank you

Hi OP, the letter sounds like it's confirming what we've said - that they missed the microcalcs with the last biopsy so they're taking a bigger sample to make sure they get it this time. I'd take issue with them saying you clearly understand the rationale for it though! When you attend for your appointment just ask them to explain why they're doing it beforehand so they can reassure you - I assume it'll be more comforting coming from them.

@Spam88 thank you