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Mammogram recall

(108 Posts)
Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 09:12:36

Hi there ,I'm in a bit if a state . I had my first mammogram 2 weeks ago and received a letter on Wednesday to say results are unclear and need more tests. I called the breast screening centre and asked why I have to come back . She said that there is a area they want to look at . Well I'm in a absolute state . Can't eat can't sleep. My appointment is on Monday. I don't feel any lumps or anything . I'm just so scared . The lady did say it could be absolutely nothing and it's common to get called back especially with the first one . Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

Babs03 Sat 09-Nov-24 09:17:27

It could just be as they say the results were unclear in a particular area of the breast, I had this with a cervical smear, it said I was unclear but when I repeated it it came back fine. I did feel anxious though, is completely normal and unfortunately the way the medical profession term things without giving any further details can be scary.
Am wishing you all the best 🙏🏾🌹

Fleurpepper Sat 09-Nov-24 09:19:19

I am so sorry to hear. Totally understand the stress as it happened to me last year. And due to holidays, etc, it took much longer to be seen again and to get results. Had several biopsies taken- and 2 months later, I was told all was fine, just a few areas showing signs of totally benign calcification. What a relief. In the meantime of course, I went (with OH) through all the different scenarios of what might happen and what decision I would take, etc.

So yes, I so feel for you. But look at it this was, isnt' it great that you very quickly got the request for a recall. It shows the system is working well, and fast. So breathe, fingers crossed- and hopefully, just like for me, just areas of calcification which are fine, due to age (I am 73). hugs

Visgir1 Sat 09-Nov-24 09:25:34

I had a recall and it was due to un
clear picture.
Fingers crossed that's the same for you. . Best wishes.

fancythat Sat 09-Nov-24 09:28:09

I got called back once.
A friend got called back twice.
Both of us were fine.

I dont think recalls are that unusual.

I wish you all the best too.
Understandable to get concerned.

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 09:28:32

Thank you ladies, so lovely of you all to take the time to reply.

It's such a horrible thing to go through. All the what ifs would drive you insane. Xx

MiniMoon Sat 09-Nov-24 09:36:08

I had a recall once. I was scared too, turned out to be a cyst which they drained there and then. It never came back.

cornergran Sat 09-Nov-24 09:52:05

Three friends have been recalled over the years, in two cases more than once. Each time the cause was found to be benign. It’s very positive you’re being followed up so quickly, less time to fret. Easy to say I know but try not to let this take your weekend over. Think of distractions, get out and about if you can, talk to people about anything and everything that isn’t health related, it can really help reduce the stress. Please come back and let us know the outcome. Always someone here with a caring, listening ear.

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 10:04:44

Thank you ladies ,I really really appreciate the support. Xxxxx

Calendargirl Sat 09-Nov-24 10:14:51

I was recalled for my one before last. Got the letter on the Thursday, had my appointment the following Monday.

I was fine, so was another lady waiting alongside me.

It’s so easy to say ‘try not to worry’.

Of course we do, and we imagine all the scenarios.

Hopefully, you too will be fine, but the fact you are being seen quickly is reassuring.

I wish you well, and know how you are feeling.

flowers

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 10:24:29

I received my letter on Wednesday just there and my appointment is this Monday. I keep thinking this seems very quick. Xx

lemsip Sat 09-Nov-24 10:41:01

I had my mammography last tuesday. If I have a recall I will think it's an unclear 'picture'because I don't think the 'nurse who done it squeezed in enough as it wasn't painful as it usually is!

crazyH Sat 09-Nov-24 10:55:00

Sometimes, for various reasons, the picture is not very clear. They just want to get a clearer picture.
In my case I couldn’t feel a lump , but I had bleeding from the nipple. I was sure it was cancer. Turned out to be a benign cyst.
Please don’t panic. flowers

AGAA4 Sat 09-Nov-24 10:58:15

Saying try not to worry is useless as you will. It's only natural. I was recalled 10 years ago and out of the 12 at the clinic only two had cancer. I was one of them.
The treatment was much easier than I anticipated as it was found early.
Although distressing it's so much better for anything to be found early.
So many other posters on this thread have said they were ok and I think most are after recall.
Hope all will be fine for you too as is most likely.

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 11:25:55

lemsip yes I was expecting it to be painful but it wasn't at all I hardly felt anything.
crazyH I'm glad it turned out to be just a cyst.
AGAA4 how are you doing now ? I'm so glad they caught it early . It must have been a very scary time xx

Kate1949 Sat 09-Nov-24 11:35:37

A lump was found in my breast about 20 years ago. I was also terrified. It turned out to be a cyst and, like MiniMoon they drained it. Sending good wishes.

escaped Sat 09-Nov-24 11:49:34

lemsip

I had my mammography last tuesday. If I have a recall I will think it's an unclear 'picture'because I don't think the 'nurse who done it squeezed in enough as it wasn't painful as it usually is!

My recent squeeze certainly wasn't as tight as I remembered. Maybe the machines have improved now? It was definitely a smaller gadget.

AGAA4 Sat 09-Nov-24 11:54:33

Mumoftwinboys thanks for asking. I was fine not long after the operation and the treatment went well. It's over ten years now and had a mammogram last December and it was fine.
I was so glad I went for that mammogram ten years ago and I am
still ok.
I was terrified at the time but it was nothing like as bad as I feared.
As most recalls don't result in a cancer diagnosis you, like many other women, should be clear.
Best Wishes x

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 12:37:33

AGAA4 thank you I really appreciate your replies and kind words xx

Doodledog Sat 09-Nov-24 13:46:57

I was recalled a while ago. I was very scared, but it turned out to be just a blurred photo. The consultant said that when mammograms are done in mobile units (as mine had been) it can happen if the van wobbles (eg if another patient enters or leaves as the picture is being taken).

I know you'll be worried, but try to keep reminding yourself that 9 out of 10 recalls turn out to be false alarms. Good luck, and do come back to tell us how it's gone?
flowers

keepingquiet Sat 09-Nov-24 13:55:14

I was recalled too. I had chemo, radiotherapy and a mastectomy because they found a cancer. The test saved my life. That was over 15 years ago and I am very well and happy.
No point in worrying- just go with it and you will be fine.

MissInterpreted Sat 09-Nov-24 14:02:57

Try not to worry too much - I got recalled after mine earlier this year because there was a suspicious area which showed up, but the breast clinic staff were so lovely and reassuring and carried out more tests which showed it was nothing to be concerned about. They did tell me that, in the vast majority of recalls, everything turns out to be ok, and of course, if there is something of concern, the earlier it is caught, the better.

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 15:21:24

keepingquiet I'm so glad you are doing well now . It goes to show early detection is so important. Xx
MissInterpreted thank you I'm happy everything was all clear for you . It must have been a huge relief xx

Gwyllt Sat 09-Nov-24 17:12:51

With change of area I missed one mammogram and when they did catch up with me I got a recall
One breast was a bad picture The other was a mass which they chased up to where the previous scans had been done and it hadn’t changed since my first scan. When I told them I had experienced a touch of mastitis whilst breast feeding they felt it was the likely explanation
Hope all goes well for you

Mumoftwinboys Sat 09-Nov-24 18:05:41

Gwyllt thank you for your reply . I bet it was such a relief to get the all clear. The whole process is so nerve wracking x