recalled to clinic after "unclear" mammogram.

[KnittingNeedles]

Had first mammogram about three weeks ago, have had a letter this morning asking me to reattend for further tests as my recent x-rays are "unclear". Does also say that a "substantial" number of women are recalled.

Nothing to worry about, right? (Can you tell I am worrying...)

Me too! So with you all the way on this one. Same happened to me three years ago and it was a cyst but panicking now I won't be as lucky

When is your appointment, @Whattown ? Mine is not until next Thursday, 23rd. Seems like a lifetime away.

I am trying to remain positive and keeping away from googling statistics and other people's stories as I know from experience that feeding anxiety makes it worse.

@KnittingNeedles I haven't even had my letter yet - I've waited over 2 weeks for the result and nothing so I went on my nhs app and can see the result states abnormality present on imaging - uncertain - will be invited for further attention! I've been on the doctors to chase but they have nothing either yet! They are now chasing for me so goodness knows when I will get an appointment. It such a worry

This has happened to me on several occasions - every time it was a cyst - but the waiting time was a pain.

That's awful, @Whattown. I am in Scotland and we don't have an app so I was clueless until the letter dropped through the letterbox this morning.

It does say that I will definitely get an answer to what is going on at the appointment so there won't be a further wait. I have calmed down a bit since getting the letter. Still concerned, and wishing it was this Thursday rather than next, but a bit more positive. I hope you get your appointment soon and we both just have particularly fibrous or dense breasts or something.

Happened to me 18 months ago. Further investigation showed nothing to worry about. It's really very hard not to fret, but it happens all the time as posts on these boards testify. I put a post up too - I think we all want to feel the solidarity at this time. Wishing you all the best @KnittingNeedles and others dealing with this

@KnittingNeedles keeping everything crossed for you - just keep busy clearing out cupboards etc when the mind wanders. It's awful isn't it.

I had a call back. Its quite common. Sometimes it can be for creases or just the angle taken. Don't worry too much. It's really highly probable it's nothing.

Yes I did an advance search @Hebehouse and the number of similar threads did reassure me. I am only just into the age group for mammograms and don't know personally of anyone who has been called back.

@KnittingNeedles still nothing from doctors so I rang the breast clinic and I've got my appointment on Tuesday next week.

Fingers crossed for you Whattown. I just emailed the clinic and asked about cancellations, i'm on the list but there are 3 ahead of me looking for cancellations and so not to hold my breath. They also couldn't go into details about why i've been recalled but the woman did say it could be as simple as another mammogram and then sent home.

I have a lot of other stuff going on in my life at the mo - menopause from hell and trying to deal with social services over a care package for a parent with advanced dementia. I need this recall like a hole in the head.

@KnittingNeedles yes me too - good luck with the care package - my mum has dementia too, it never rains but it pours we have to stay positive x

Exactly the same happened to me after my first mammogram. I was petrified!

Had a biopsy three days later and a week later they confirmed it was benign.

They explained around 35% of first timers get a call back as they don’t have anything to compare it to, if that makes sense?

It does make sense, @Rufus27 but i'm struggling. 4 out of 5 women called back get an all clear... but 1 doesn't. Anxiety has been a recurring menopause theme for me and it's the not knowing which is so hard to cope with.

@KnittingNeedles - I'm still here hand holding - I'm just scared as last time it was just a cyst and this time I am thinking I won't be as lucky! Different boob too which they have found something :(

I was recalled and was having a few breathing problems because of asthma and bronchiectasis so I mentioned it in case I coughed. The radiologist said that might have been the problem and asked if I could hold my breath when she asked me to. She went to see someone about the new x-ray and then came and told me that I could go home.

Good to hear, @Freddiefan . Still very anxious about the whole thing.

Yeah this happened to me.
I was sent for further testing and the minute I walked in they said-this is what we have seen. We are 99% certain it's just a cyst but wanted to be totally sure. So if that was the case why on earth didn't the letter say that rather than me go through two horrendous weeks of worry?

Very Much hope I have a similar outcome @KnottyKnitting . I did call the clinic and ask if they could tell me more, but they wouldn’t. It’s such a worry.

Quick update - have just had the clinic on the phone offering me a cancellation at 9.30 tomorrow morning. Almost bit the woman's head off saying yes I'd take it, and DH is coming with me.

@KnittingNeedles good luck - let me know how you get on.

I had this with my first mammogram. One of the photos was a bit blurry apparently. They only had to redo that one. Got myself all worked up and was in and out in 5 minutes.

A recall is very common, especially for a first mammogram when there are no previous images to compare. I know so many women recalled when nothing was wrong -a couple had skin creasing affecting the images, another had benign cysts.
Understandably they would rather call a woman back in if there is anything unclear. Hopefully all is fine OP.

I know they don't want to deliver bad news by letter. And I also know they really want any "unclear" issues resolved because although most won't be sinister, some might be. If they put "one of your pictures was a bit dodgy", many people would just not bother to return, especially women who have to take time off work or arrange childcare. But even though their letter uses reassuring language like routine, standard screening, substantial number of women recalled, it scared the bejeezus out of me. Just the worst time.

Thank you all for your good wishes. I will report back and I sincerely hope it's good news.

I have only told a few "real life" people about this, I volunteer one morning a week and most of the women are older than me. Two out of the four I told about the recall had been called back too and were so kind and reassuring.

I had talcum powder which had settled in the crease below my massive boobs.