Mammogram Recall

I’m sure you will be absolutely fine PinkSP. We had quite a long thread on this not long ago and there were lots of very positive messages.
If you go onto forums and search for mammograms you will find them and am sure you will be reassured.
Good luck.

I had a recall, and had to go to the RVI in Newcastle. I had another mammogram, from all different angles. They were really kind as I was waiting. They showed me the photo and pointed out the anomaly which they were sure was a cyst. I was shown into another room where the cyst was drained. I had to have more mammograms taken to be sure that was all it was. I was given the all clear and discharged. It took about three hours with waiting time.
There are lots of reasons for a recall, so don't worry too much.

Hello pinksweetpea. That must have been a shock for you indeed. What every woman dreads! All I can say to you is what my GP said to me. Don't panic until someone tells you to! It might be something inconsequential that they have to check out. On the other hand, if there is a diagnosis of BC (which I hope is not) it is better to have it dealt with asap. There are very effective treatments now and survival rates are very good. I know. I have survived for nearly 10 years after diagnosis. I think there are several of us on GN.

Please let us know how you get on on Friday. Plenty of support on here if you need it. Thinking of you and sending a virtual hug.

pinksweetpea here is the previous thread about mammograms. I too had a recall and I fully understand how you feel. Good luck on Friday.
www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1251793-Breast-screening-recall

I had a recall years ago and nothing was found. I can understand your panic, seems very natural to me but early diagnosis usually results in a good outcome. Best of luck

Thanks for posting that link Marydoll. Did anyone ever hear back from OP as to what the outcome of her biopsies were?

Thanks everyone for your reassurance, and replies.
Thanks for the link Marydoll have read through it and it has calmed me down a bit now.

I had a recall too, then a biopsy which showed Ductal Cell Carcinoma. This was not great news, but not the worst either. DCISs are pre- cancerous cells contained within the ducts, so unlikely to spread. However, it’s best to get rid of them, so on Thursday next week I am having a short operation as a day patient. About a month after this I will have radiotherapy. The staff were all extremely helpful in explaining everything, and I have the phone number of the specialist nurses if I want to talk. I haven’t, because I feel quite positive about the whole thing. For a start, advances in technology mean that this has been spotted early- the calcified areas are smaller than pinheads. Treatments for all cancers are effective, and survival rates for the condition I have are extremely high.
Also, I have spent the last couple of weeks buying treats since I think I deserve it, and I am going to have housekeepers to do all my cleaning and ironing after the op.
You may not have the same as me, but if you do, it’s not the end of the world.

Great attitude DoraMarr!
PinkSweetPea - I was recalled once because they said I moved. The next time, I, like DoraMarr was diagnosed with very early stage DCIS. Had the lumpectomy and the radiation, and am now on Tamoxifen. Parts of the treatment were not pleasant, but 6 months post surgery I can really say I'm doing well.
Good Luck to you PinkSweetPea. Most callbacks are just precautionary.

Thank the Lord for mammograms!

Just thought I would update you how I got on today, was there nearly all morning as it was busy. Had various mammograms and ultra scan, then she said it was a cyst and drained it, went for another mammogram and they said they wanted to do a needle biopsy just to check. So had that done and nearly passed out at the end, but think it was because it was lunchtime and hot , they had me on a bed fanning me, I was ok after 5 mins and the lovely nurse made me a cup of tea and biscuits, cant fault the staff they were lovely and calmed me down. Got another apt on 1st Nov to get results of biopsy, so still not entirely sure if its ok or not. I feel worn out now and bruised and shattered as walked a lot to and from hospital

DoraMarr Good luck for next week, keep us updated.

Best wishes to you DoraMarr and PinkSweetPea ( I put PunkSweetPea at first ) - good luck!

Here's hoping you get the all clear, I've had breast cancer and know how stressful waiting on results is, I do know that if they were able to drain it then it's more likely to be a cyst than anything else, all the best Xx

You are quite right DoraMarr, it is very treatable and although mine was invasive it was very small and found early so it was simple op as you describe which really is very straight forward then radiotheraphy which is a completely painless treatment and I had no side effects apart from a bit of a pink boobie by the end of it! Good luck with it all xx

Thanks Polly48 and Jobey68 sorry to hear you have been through it too, glad you are recovering well.

I know exactly how you are feeling. I had a recall on September 3rd. The majority of recalls are for reasons such as an unclear picture meaning the mammogram needs repeating. Unfortunately for me it wasn’t a trivial reason but the staff were really lovely and explained to me that there was a very small area of concern in my left breast. It was very small, less than 4mm and I had a biopsy done the same day. Again unfortunately for me the result was not clear and the biopsy had to be repeated but not until the bruising had disappeared and my bruises take a long time to heal. So three weeks later I had another biopsy and saw the consultant less than a week later. Unfortunately it is cancerous and I have to have a lumpectomy. I could have had it almost immediately but I have a problem with low platelets and this has to be put right before I can have the op but in the meantime I am on Anastrozole. It is a shock when you get the recall but you will be treated very well so try not to worry too much.

The time they give you in the letter is the maximum you will have to be there. In my case I had mammograms, an ultrasound and a biopsy followed by a final mammogram so it did take the three hours. In some cases it is much quicker.

Sounds like good news all round, even for those who have bad news.

A friend had stage 4 breast cancer some years back but it still here.

Jane43 - Thanks for your reply and sorry to hear yours was cancerous and hope your op goes well. I have not had a good weekend as after Friday my mind has been working overload, wondering how I will cope if it is cancer, how will I cope on my own, how will I get to and from for treatment, money worries, got myself into a state and of course no one to talk to about it. I'm off to work later so hoping that takes my mind off it a bit. I go back on 1st November for results of biopsy, think I will be a nervous wreck by then.

Doramarr "Treatments for all cancers are effective"
Sadly your comment is not correct.
Oh but i wish it were.

PinkSweetPea, sorry I hadn’t read your update before I posted so the bit about the time taken wasn’t really needed. Hopefully the needle biopsy was just a precaution in your case and it isn’t pleasant but the worst thing about my first one was the bruising afterwards as they took five samples. The second one was completely different and there was hardly a mark. I agree that the waiting for the result is horrible. I was lucky after the second biopsy as I was offered an appointment for the result after less than a week due to a cancellation. I have been allocated two nurses at the hospital and they have said I can talk to them any time about anything that is bothering me but hopefully you won’t need that. It is good to think of possible outcomes to a certain extent but try not to overthink things. Is there a counselling facility in your workplace that you can use and we now have one at our doctors’ surgery. Most hospitals also have volunteers to help with transporting people to and from hospital. There was also a very helpful information pack given me which addresses many of your concerns. All the best and keep us updated.

Mine was also a small 4mm grade 1 tumour, treated with surgery and radiotheraphy followed by Tamoxifen. All back in early 2015 now and have been clear ever since ??
Breast cancer on the whole is very treatable and the majority of us will go on to have no further issues thankfully, I know there is always the chance of a reacurrance but I don't dwell on it and know that as every year passes the chances become smaller and the treatment becomes better ?
It's a scary time but have faith that you will come through it ladies, their is life beyond breast cancer and I for one enjoy it to the fullest! X

That’s good to hear Jobey68.

Good luck , I had recall and they drained the cyst, I got a phone call next day to say it was ok