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

I haven’t been recalled ( and have had my last one due to age anyway) but just wanted to say I do hope all will be well for you SirC and that it probably is cysts and nothing for you to be worried about, although very understandable that you are.
Good luck.?

I've been recalled LOADS. I have, however, had breast cancer, but since then, I've been called back 10 times.

They'll ultrasound you, because it's a better way to diagnose AND possibly drain the cysts. Ask for a local anaesthetic and you will feel nothing.

IF they find anything suspicious (suspicious doesn't automatically mean cancer remember, I can attest to that), they will do a biopsy. Again, ask for a local anaesthetic injection and you'll feel nothing.

It's terrifying every time I go, BUT, if the worst comes to the worst, I had stage 3 cancer 9 years ago. A very aggressive type. I'm still here.

I was called back. It was a cyst. Nothing needed to be done.

Some months later the cyst suddenly came up like a boil on my breast. I went to see my GP, who gave me antbiotics and sent me to a specialist, who examined me and gave me the all clear and nothing has happened since. That was about 30
years ago.

I know it is an awful worry, but keep telling yourself that with the majority of recalls it is because of harmless cysts. I have had a cyst treated by an injection, I won't say it was entirely pain free but it was not too bad.

It’s natural to worry. I think all of us would but it sounds as though as you said you have cysts and they need to deal with these. As nurses we have asked for a long time for letters sent to ladies following mammograms and smears to be a little bit more explicit because the general letter causes so much anxiety. I remember getting a letter following a smear, I requested an urgent appointment and it turned out I had thrush! Take a friend or relative with you and please try not to worry.

sirchen it is frightening, but if you think about it, it isn’t surprising is it? Thinking about it logically after your horrible experience it would be more worrying if they hadn’t recalled you.

Keep us posted?

No experience to share but wanted to send all good wishes to you

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your kind words and good wishes It’s not surprising I was recalled as you say Whitewavemark2 and it’s good they’re seeing me so quickly - I suppose I was just hoping that the mammographer had made a mistake and it was all clear.

DH is going to come with me so I won’t be on my own thankfully. I’ll just need to be brave and hope everything’s fine.

I too was recalled, my appointment was two days before Christmas.

I had a history of cysts, and was frequently being sent for mammograms, but this was actually a lump of gristly tissue. No-one could work out what it was.

I was very anxious, but the staff were lovely, very professional and matter of fact, they have to be. They are used to anxious patients.
It is reassuring that medics are on the ball and have called you back so promptly.

As Whitewavemark2 says, it's no surprise that they want to see you after your horrible experience. It may be just something as simple as a poor image result.

It's a good idea to have your husband with you.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on, if you can.

Thanks Marydoll and I will do

Thank you all so much for sharing your own stories and I hope you’re ok now GagaJo? That must have been an extremely worrying and difficult time for you and your family

My mum passed away a few years ago although I know she had a lot of breast cysts so maybe it’s hereditary? All of my friends are in their mid to late forties so none of them have had mammograms yet and no-one I know has been in this situation so I really appreciate all your posts

You are bound to be anxious Scj and I hope your worries melt away soon after reassurance from the hospital.
?

I THINK I'm 100% ok Scj, thank you. It was, off and on, 3 years of absolutely outstanding treatment / lots of operations. But I don't mind an operation.

Wishing you as positive experience as I've always had.

Good luck SirChengin. I hope your appointment is soon so you don't have the worry hanging over you at Christmas. Sounds like it should be fine. Some wise words from others in this thread. Let us know how you get on ??

SirChengin I really do sympathise with you and I know just what you going through. Sixteen years ago I had my first mammogram when I was 50. I was recalled and whilst waiting for the appointment I was terribly anxious. Had to keep having a sip of brandy to calm me down!
Anyway to my relief it turned out to be cysts.
After that experience I am quite reluctant to go for my mammogram. I agree with GrandmaJan, the letters should be more explicit. I suffer with anxiety and that recall sent me over the edge! Best of luck with your appointment. Sounds like you'll be fine but I know through experience it's hard not to worry!

Just wanted to pop by and wish you good luck I m sure we ll all be thinking of you x

I was recalled after my first mammogram and like you I was terrified and emotional. However I was fortunate as it turned out to be a cyst.
Good luck for Wednesday. Hope all goes well for you

So sorry to hear SirC - no experience of this at all- but hope you get an appt very soon so you can stop worrying x

Thank you all so much, you’ve no idea how much your kind words mean ❤️ I do have a tendency to catastrophise so I’ve had a bit of a rough day since the letter arrived this morning. It’s reassuring to hear so many positive stories and hopefully I’ll have the same outcome.

Gagajo That’s great you had positive experiences and the best outcome you could hope for ?

I had a recall letter once and like you was very anxious. I had a biopsy so more waiting and worry.
Your imagination runs riot (and Dr Google doesnt help!) I was lucky and mine wasn't anything too serious. I had an excisional biopsy for a papilloma which was causing an inverted nipple. It left a small scar and that was it.
I am sorry you had such terrible pain.
All the best to you for Wednesday.

I was recalled and it was simply because the machine had caught a small fold of skin causing that part of the breast to appear more dense.
I know how you feel, it is a worry but try not to think the worst. The chances are it will be OK.

Don’t be scared. I was recalled, and I had a lumpectomy this time last year, followed by daily radiotherapy. It was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined. I just felt so confident that I was in good hands all the way, and the staff couldn’t have been kinder. It was actually quite a life-affirming experience.

Hi SirChenjin try not to worry, I know that's easy for me to say.

When I had my first mammogram I was told it wasn't unusual for a re call as everyone's breasts are different and when it's your first, they have nothing to compare it too. What may seem different may be perfectly normal for you.

If you have other cysts it's good that they are being thorough. My mum had 3 re calls in total all due to cysts, and it was never anything sinister.

I'm sorry you had such an awful experience, they're pretty painful at the best of times.

The very best of wishes for Wednesday.

I too have been recalled several times; and on one occasion they sent the results off to some specialist regional team. I was, as you are, more than a bit worried during the waiting, which is the worst bit. All fine every time; so take heart asn try not to worry - hard I know. Good luck.

I can’t add to what everyone else has said so I’m just sending you my best wishes for your appointment, SirChenjin.