Gransnet forums

Health

Breast screening recall

(61 Posts)
Jane43 Wed 29-Aug-18 10:44:30

I am one of the ones who missed their final breast screening and had a screening about two weeks ago. I have had a letter recalling me this morning and am feeling rather anxious. Has anybody else had a recall and what happened? I do examine my breasts regularly and there is no obvious sign of a problem.

KatyK Wed 29-Aug-18 10:46:40

I can understand your anxiety. I know several people who have been called back and there's never been a problem. Sometimes it's faulty machinery or something. I discovered a lump in my breast a few years ago and the waiting for the result was awful. It was lucky, it proved to be a cyst. It would be silly to say try not to worry, but I'm sure you'll be fine.

Greta Wed 29-Aug-18 11:18:07

I was called back a couple of years ago. Of course, it is a worry and you are bound to feel anxious. I had a letter with an appointment at the hospital. There another mammogram was performed and looked at by a specialist. It turn out there was a small piece of gristle in my left breast; completely harmless. I have had two more 3-yearly breast screenings since then but have not been called back. Hope this helps to make you feel less worried. Good luck.

Jane43 Wed 29-Aug-18 12:43:35

Thank you both for the reassurance. I am trying to put it to the back of my mind by keeping busy but I only have to wait until Monday for the appointment. I should have had the last one at 71 but they missed me so I was called to compensate for missing that one - I am 75 soon. I did have a cyst years ago and it was aspirated so I am hoping it is something similar.

Cold Wed 29-Aug-18 13:00:51

I understand the anxiety that this is causing you.

My SIL had a recall - but it turned out to be because one of the images was poor quality and did not show the whole breast.

I had to go for additional screening myself when I discovered a lump. They did additional mammogram images and then I saw a specialist for ultrasound and a needle biopsy. Mine turned out to be an "encapsulated necrotic cyst" - basically a bruise that had turned into a cyst. It was totally harmless. They drained 70ml out of it with a syringe and the rest went down gradually but a bit remains - like a deflated balloon.

KatyK Wed 29-Aug-18 13:26:47

The doctor told me that once you had a cyst you could be prone to more.

janeainsworth Wed 29-Aug-18 13:32:27

I was recalled a few years ago.
I spent a week worrying and it turned out there was something wrong with the X-ray.
Then I worried that I’d been overdosed with radiation.
Then I decided that the stress and worry wasn’t worth it and I’ve declined further invitations to have a mammogram & rely on self-examination.

I hope all is well jane43

chelseababy Wed 29-Aug-18 16:11:15

I had a recall several years ago and had to go for additional tests. It turned out to be calcium deposits which have never shown up since. Try not to worry.

goldengirl Wed 29-Aug-18 19:58:09

I had a recall when I went earlier this year and was very frightened BUT I thought about the alternatives in that at least they were checking the xrays!!! I was OK luckily but it was scary. I will certainly continue with the screening programme. I hope it turns out alright for you.

Happychops Wed 29-Aug-18 20:26:06

I had a recall and thought the worst. It was just a case of the image not being clear and everything was ok. But it made me realise that they were very good, and if there was anything that needed to be checked ,it was being picked up. Try not to worry too much,I hope all goes well for you.

sodapop Wed 29-Aug-18 20:34:58

I had a recall as well. Turned out to be thickened tissue. It's good these things are picked up as Happychops says.
Good luck and don't worry.

Melanieeastanglia Wed 29-Aug-18 20:37:26

I have also had a recall and it turned out to be "thickened tissue" which has been mentioned by sodapop.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Granny23 Wed 29-Aug-18 20:39:37

I was recalled and had an ultrasound. The doctor showed me the dark spots that had caused concern and explained that they were scar tissue from having previously had cysts drained. I was told to explain this at subsequent routine screenings and the radiographer made a note on my record. Haven't been recalled since.

Jane43 Wed 29-Aug-18 22:37:44

Thank you all for your support. It means a lot to me.

SpringyChicken Wed 29-Aug-18 22:49:45

I was recalled and it turned out to be harmless calcium deposit. They thought it was as a result of when I suffered a heavy fall. A friend's daughter was recalled for exactly the same thing.

durstonc Thu 30-Aug-18 09:49:34

I was recalled July this year after my 2nd mammogram and unfortunately for me mine is breast cancer, I had no lump and even the doctor I saw couldn’t feel a lump. 3 weeks ago I had a lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removal, this Monday I get my results. I already know I will have to have chemo and radiotherapy, due to me testing HER2 positive. I am lucky as the consultant said it was found early, which is why it’s so important to go these screenings, I have friends that don’t go, but they are now. Good luck Jane43 x

OldMeg Thu 30-Aug-18 10:44:52

Chances are it’s nothing execept a cyst or a misreading. If it is more serious then better it’s caught early and sorted.

Let us know how it goes x

DoraMarr Thu 30-Aug-18 12:28:18

I’ve had a recall letter too. The NHS website gives some reassuring advice. I was worried because the appointment is so soon, but that is normal procedure. I’m trying not to think about it.

PamelaJ1 Thu 30-Aug-18 13:51:57

I was recalled a few years ago but, as with most of you,it turned out to be nothing to worry about.
Good luck to you both on Monday, I hope you get the best news possible.

nookie Thu 30-Aug-18 16:15:17

I have been called back twice before. One time it was the day after by telephone. When I inquired as to why I was told that the image was not clear enough. I do believe it is quite common for this to happen.
Try not to worry

joannapiano Thu 30-Aug-18 19:51:34

I was recalled a couple of years ago, Doctor said the anomaly was a lymph node.
Lots of anxious ladies in the waiting room, all given the all clear.

Missterious Thu 30-Aug-18 21:53:14

Lots here are saying the NHS website is reassuring. Really? My info said only 4 in 100 are recalled, and of those, 3 out of 4 would be for benign reasons. The odds at this point are scary. Obviously this is bound to worry us and yes, I also underwent a recall recently going through several further procedures including aspiration and biopsy. I even began to make plans for....well you know what. The facts are that many recalls go no further but please let's not forget that some are not so lucky, but we have to deal with the hand that is dealt to us and that means gritting our teeth and crossing our fingers and touching wood.....I hope all goes well Jane43.

pen50 Fri 31-Aug-18 07:08:57

I had a recall last year because of calcium deposits; uncomfortable but all was well in the end. The peoplr at the clinic where I went were absolutely lovely, obviously all chosen for their empathy. Don't worry too much, the chances are still strongly in favour of it being nothing.

Harris27 Fri 31-Aug-18 08:11:01

I had a recall last year after a mammogram Itshould of been called immediately not waited the three weeks.i feared the worst the nurse sat me down and was immediately in tears. They told me something had shown up and needed to be investigated. Two hours later and a senior doctor looking at it.it was where the girl had pushed hard against the plate and had caused a line of bruising( I am big busted) all well but yes very worrying I agree with ladies above daunting. My friend also got recalled small benign cyst.

MadGrandma Fri 31-Aug-18 08:53:37

Many years ago I had a recall and all proved to be well.
But last December I had a recall again. This time they took a biopsy and on Jan 2nd I was told I had breast cancer. There had been NO outward signs - no puckering or dimples, no lumps etc, so to say I was shocked was putting it mildly. After several more tests, I was told I would need a mastectomy (which due to family circumstances only happened 2 weeks ago).
I am not saying this to scare you, but PLEASE attend the follow up - it has saved my life.