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

I was recalled a whileago, and all was well, although it was very scary at the time.

If you are taking your husband with you, it's a good idea to suggest that he takes a crossword or a book with him, as there can be a lot of hanging about. I was taken into a separate room from him, and then waited for another mammagram followed by another wait for an appointment with the consultant, who did a manual exam. It all took quite a while, and he was in the general waiting room all the time.

Good luck with it, and remember, as others have said, that the majority of women who are recalled do not have cancer.

I was last year just before Christmas and was convinced it was the end. Couldn’t think how I was going to get through it. I had a second mammogram when I got there and then waited until the doctor saw me, convincedI would require a biopsy and exactly what it would find. The doctor said she saw nothing to worry about and we went out and to a Christmas farm shop. I was dazed with relief after a couple of weeks of crippling anxiety. No use telling you not to worry, but you are right that most are fine. Let us know how you get on?

SirChenjin, now you know why there's no male equivalent screen for testicular cancer! Maybe there should be!

I think a blood test is on the way.

They can detect non-specific abnormalities with a blood test.

They'd all faint if their b***s were clamped!

My son had it when he was only 22. The way he found out was bizarre. The bathroom was being updated in his rented flat so the shower was out of action.

He always showers, but that time, took a bath instead. One of the newly installed, very large wall tiles detached itself and hit him on the head. Sitting there, somewhat stunned, he discovered a lump!

Hetty

I hope your son is OK?

SirChenjin I feel for you. I had a lump at the age of 47 and I was terrified. Fortunately when I had a doctor to check it out, she thought it was a cyst due to its shape, etc.

I had a mammogram and it was very painful.

I then had an ultrasound scan and then the cyst was drained
painlessly via a very fine needle, guided by an ultrasound scan so I could see it on the screen.

Since then I've had no further problems.

When I get called for a mammogram - I will ask if I can have an ultrasound scan instead. I don't like the idea of my breasts being x-ray'd. And I don't want to go through pain again. So...

See if you can have an ultrasound scan instead, as an alternative.

Good luck!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my 40s so before I had any of my screening mammograms. I know it is painful and scary but please, please don’t let that put you off going for your check up. Perhaps contact your GP for some medication to help you cope? xx

Yes I was re- called, mine was lymph glands slightly inflamed turns out I had a virus. Of course you will worry but I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Let us know how you get on.

SirChenjin, he's fine now. After treatment, the risk goes back to 'normal' after five years.

A recall following a mammogram doesn't necessarily mean there's trouble. It's merely a second look to be sure that nothing has been missed. Even when they do find something, it doesn't automatically spell Cancer...much less one that can't be treated successfully. There are other conditions such as fluid filled cysts or benign tumors.

So sorry you had to go through so much pain and now being made to wait and worry, but chin up because no matter what happens, the odds are greatly in your favor.

I’m pleased he made it to the 5 years but he needs to stay vigilant as it can recur after five years x

What a relief for you all Hetty I bet he and all your male relatives are super vigilant now - I’m not sure all men are quite so aware sadly (which serves as a good reminder for me to have that conversation with DH and DS1)

Yes SirChenjin, all the men in the family check now. My son only has one instead of two but decided against a 'fake' replacement. He's a father to two kids since so it doesn't worry him.

I'm another who had a recall and was fine.
The nurse suddenly went quiet when doing the mammogram so I was expecting a recall but, as said, there was nothing wrong.
Wishing you well, SirChenjin.

Let us all know how you get on SirChenjin. You can always discuss other options when you get there. Surely, nobody should have to put up with that much pain? (I would have told them to stop.) It's almost certainly just cysts, with a heap of anxiety from your unfortunate experience added.

I did tell them to stop - well, shouted at them to stop. She released the clamp and down I went. Horrible.

Oh, my. I can only imagine how painful that was, SirChenjun. My scans hurt every time because of my fibrocystic disease so I grin and bear it, but have never had that happen to me! I've been called back twice due to cysts and have had one biopsied after a different, routine visit and all was well. Usually , the painful, movable, (and I'm sure bursting!) ones are benign. Sending you warm thoughts and wishes ahead of your appointment on Wednesday.

My second mammogram ( almost 20 years ago now) revealed a cyst, I was recalled the cyst was aspirated with a very fine needle after a local anaesthetic, I felt nothing. Following this I had an ultrasound examination and was told I had Ductectasia which is apparently a shrinking of the milk ducts. This was causing a retraction of my nipple.
I had not had any further abnormal Mammograms since although I too do find the affected left breast very painful during the procedure and don’t exactly look forward to it !
Good luck on Wednesday please don’t worry too much ahead of the appointment.??

Thank you

I had a quick look at the referral pathway which was probably a mistake as it looks like I’ve been referred urgently At work today and just can’t focus at all.

SirChenjin I completely understand as this happened to me last year. I also 'made plans' convinced it would be bad news. I did this every night as I couldn't sleep at all.
However the referral pathway is just how they do this I'm led to believe, and to be honest it's best to be seen sooner rather than later if for no other reason than to stop the 'what if' worry and know instead exactly what's going to happen.
For me it was another mammogram then I saw a registrar who explained there were what she thought was cysts. She aspirated what she could but one was stubborn. I grilled her about how likely it was it was going to be something nasty and although she said she believed it wasn't, I still wasn't convinced. She performed a biopsy and put in a titanium pellet as a marker, and I went away for another week of sleepless nights and making plans.
I was a nightmare to live with throughout.
I could hardly breathe when I went in to see the consultant, however he said the team had decided the lump was benign and I was free to go.
This won't stop me worrying if I get recalled again, but the staff at the clinic were fabulous and so should I ever need their services, I know I will be in good hands.
I sincerely hope it goes well for you.

SirChenjin. So sorry to hear about your awful experience of a mammogram, and can understand your fear of further tests and diagnosis. But, I wish you well for Wednesday, and send you a virtual hand hold.

Do you have a date yet? Thinking of you - hope asap so you can put it all behind you xxx

It’s this Wednesday jura

Willynilly - I’ve absolutely got myself dead within the year, which I know is a terrible thing to think on so many levels. I can completely identify with everything you say.

Thank you Auntieflo I really appreciate your kind words