I’ve been called to the assessment clinic after a mammogram - absolutely terrified

I have never had a recall but found lumps myself unfortunately mine was cancer ,I have had cysts in other breast as well . So to be honest don't get too bothered by mammogram results . I am sorry it was so painful hope all goes well ?

Of course you are anxious, it's normal. I was recalled once. Turned out to be a poor image but I was worried. Your history of cysts seems the most likely cause of the further investigations surely. Do hope all is well.

You could track down thermo-imaging, see if there's a place near you. They're supposed to be gentler and more accurate than mammograms.
Good luck, whatever you decide.

I know it’s pointless telling you not to worry, it’s human nature. I was recalled and went into melt down! Luckily I know an ex Macmillan nurse who I had a chat with. She was very reassuring. Knowing that lots of people are recalled is comforting (not that I wish anxiety on anyone!) She told me that whatever happens you will cope.
I was lucky and got the all clear. Cannot stress how lovely all the staff were.
Good luck ?

I have been recalled, I was told the redo the mammogram, that is examined then if need be a scan is carried out and if further clarification needed a biopsy. On my recall they redid the mammogram then I was called to have a scan which freaked me out thinking the worse but there was nothing to worry about this particular clinic always do a scan as well. I know it is difficult not to worry but the odds are with you x

I have been recalled twice and I know it's quite scary but thankfully both times were clear. The second one was exactly as Bradfordlass with a Titanium marker inserted due to calcification. For some reason I can now set some shop alarms off on entering! My friends joke about it and are convinced it's the marker. Good luck SCJ I'm sure all will be fine.

That kind of pain isn't the usual thing at a mammogram so it does sound as if a cyst got horribly squashed. Awful - my sympathy to you. There are so many things that aren't cancer for which you can get recalled. I found a breast lump when I was only 23 and it was a fibroadenoma - completely benign but needed surgery. Many years later the same breast grew itself a fat cyst which was dealt with at the Marsden in one OP appointment and pretty painlessly. Good luck - hope all will be well and painless. Please let us know how it goes. xx

You must explain how painful it was last time, and tell them that you are very frightened. They will understand, and talk you through the whole procedure.

I was recalled almost exactly 5 yrs ago and it turned out I did have Breast Cancer. They did a lumpectomy and that was followed by 4 weeks of daily radiotherapy and 5 yrs of Anastrazole tablets. The staff were all absolutely amazing. I have my final yearly mammogram next week and see my specialist in Feb when I expect/hope to get the all clear. Through it all there was never anything to worry about and definitely worth getting it all checked out. I’m sure you’ll be fine on Wednesday but do let them know how you are feeling

It isn't pleasant, but you must go through with it, try to think of the long term benefits.

I was called back once because the picture, from the mammogram, wasn't clear enough. I must admit it was the only time I'd felt excruciating pain during the mammogram so maybe it wasn't done properly. All was well the second time and good luck and hope all is well.

I do sympathise. It's horrible waiting, isn't it. I was recalled once but it was only because my result was unclear apparently.
I probably fidgeted or something.
Lots of luck, chances are its nothing to worry about.

I too was recalled after a mammograph and was one of the fortunate ones who was immediately told there was no signs of cancer, or anything else.

I hope you have the same good result.

Please do try not to worry. And do let us know the result.

Welcome to your fifties, and you did the right thing by yourself in going for your first mammogram. No-one likes having them! But if there is a problem of any sort the quicker it is dealt with the better. Ignoring something won't ever make it go away.
(By the way your sixties will start off with your first bowel cancer screening, something else to look forward to..!).
Best wishes xx

I was recalled a couple of years ago. My sister went with me, and we were both surprised at the number of ladies waiting to be seen.
Fortunately all I had was a cyst, which they drained there and then.
My youngest sister nearly always gets recalled, she has had many cysts drained.
We are so lucky to have such a good service.

Thanks you all so much

I’m just back from a trip to the shops with DD and trying to keep everything in perspective by remembering everything you lovely GNetters have said. I’ve been having some twinges in my upper back recently which is more likely to be the result of hunching over a laptop at work and bad sleeping position but of course I’ve now created a whole terrible scenario so I really need to get a grip.

Just adding my good wishes SirChenjin - I'm sure it will be OK. The pain must have been horrendous - I often wonder why after all these years of mammograms a less painful procedure has not been developed. Having your breast squeezed between two metal plates can't be very beneficial (as in your case where the cyst burst) and is downright painful. And I speak as one not very 'well-endowed'.
My dear late brother, never one to mince his words, called the procedure 'a t** sandwich'.

I can’t tell you the terrible pains I experienced when I was waiting for biopsy results all psychosomatic. All disappeared once the issue had been diagnosed. Mind plays tricks.

I am too old to get automatic reminders re mammograms but always request one anyway (every 3 years I think, note on the calendar) which we are all free to do. Age makes no difference to the likelihood of getting something.

Just to say I went to college with a lady who had a lump in her breast on 9 different occasions and each was only a cyst Hopefully yours will be a cyst too. All the best xxx

That test sounds dreadful SirChenjin! I've never had one but, if I was worried, I'd definitely have an MRI instead!

I’m a nurse. Tell them you will have other examinations, no mammograms. I’ve always refused them, there are alternatives.

Thank you everyone and yes, a t*t sandwich is exactly what it’s like! I was expecting it to be uncomfortable and slightly painful but oh my - it was off the scale (and I had 3 labours on just gas and air, including one ventouse delivery!).

Solonge what other tests are available? With the best will in the world I really don’t think I can go through another mammogram

We'd all have MRI scans if they were available on the NHS. Nice music through headphones and totally pain free. Why not go private?

I’ll see what they say on Wednesday and then yes, that would be an option I think.