Hello everyone,
So the letter I’ve been dreading arrived today. I have an appointment mid January for my first mammogram since my diagnosis in February this year. I am beyond petrified. My diagnosis was very unexpected and came with no warning or signs.
How do/did you all manage your anxiety waiting for your annual check and the agony of up to 28 day wait for results?
I also have my first mammogram after diagnosis in January. I’m trying to not overthink it and hopefully won’t be too anxious nearer the time. I’m fighting for a breast mri as well!
Hi, thanks for messaging. Yes I have to say I would like an MRI to be offered for extra reassurance. I hope you get the all clear too.
Hi @charlie55 @stafford22 I’ve now had two annual mammograms and the scanxiety doesn’t get any easier. Sorry, just want to be honest.
My best advice is to let the radiographer know how you are feeling, they have probably heard it before, the lady I had this year was so reassuring. She said I should have the results within 4 weeks but I was lucky to get my letter just after two. The waiting was hard. The letter was very nondescript saying ‘ no areas of concern’.
I find trying to plan something nice after the scan was good. I stopped off at a nearby town found the local park and sat and drank coffee and a cake from Greggs (last of the big spenders!). I didn’t want to sit in a cafe surrounded by people, being outside I could see the scenery, hear the birds and people watch. It was a nice warm day as well.
I also practise mindful breathing and that helps while waiting for the scan and having it done.
Take care.
Hello @charlie55
I want to suggest an alternate way of looking at it- worked for me but you might just think I’m bonkers. I saw the annual mammograms as offering some reassurance that all was well. I know mammograms don’t always pick things up but they’re pretty effective or we wouldn’t be offered them for 5 years. Indeed I’ve recently had my last annual mammogram and as I’m due to stay on anastrozole for another 5 years, I have some anxiety about not having them (apart from every 3 years) as I found them reassuring. And as to the 28 day wait, I got results in about 10 days and was told I could contact the breast care nurses as they might have the results earlier.
I hope you manage your anxiety and enjoy the distraction of Christmas.
Hi there, I can totally understand why people who’ve recovered from & fought breast cancer would want an MRI annual check up rather than the standard Mammogram.
This year I was diagnosed with Lobular Breast Cancer & then went on to discover it had spread to my bones. Sadly the nature & biology of LBC can make it difficult to detect with a Mammogram. This was proven for me unfortunately as I’d only had my first “over 50’s mammogram” approximately 6/7 months before discovering I had LBC & was given the “all clear” from the mammogram.
I would absolutely fight for at least a CT scan!
I’m sure you’re going to get good news but I think sometimes we have to fight for ourselves!
All the best & have a peaceful & happy new year XX
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you are responding well to treatment. Thanks for your kind words x
We must stay positive 
All the very best XX
It can be very triggering and unfortunately once you have had cancer there’s always that worry . I have just had my 4th clear mammogram and the only time I worry really is in the run up to it . I actually found my result on the NHS app about 10 ten days afterwards then the letter arrived a few days later . My cancer was also found on routine mammogram and it was so small that even the BCN at clinic couldn’t feel it so the mammogram does worry me as for me self- exam didn’t pick it up. However it’s a complicated feeling because I’m also grateful that it was caught early and am considering paying to have extra screening as after next year I will be back to 3 yearly screening again - that’s also scary .
I understand your anxiety and I’m sure you will be ok and hope you do t have to wait too long for results xx
Thank you so much. Pleased to hear you’ve had good news
Thank you x
Thank you
Hi Charlie55 , I’m not there yet ! Good luck !
Thank you so much. Everyone has been very supportive. I hope you are getting on ok?
Hi Charlie55
Your anxiety is very understandable, I think most people feel it. For me, I try to put it in a little box and think about anything but. I have the mentality that whatever is or isn’t there, I can’t change the outcome whether I worry myself sick or put it in a box, so I choose to do the latter.
I too, like you had no warning whatsoever. I was called back from a routine 3 yearly mammogram. The mammogram showed my breast was clear but I had 2 swollen lymph nodes. Even a thorough examination at my call back appointment suggested no lumps even in my armpit where the mammogram picked up the swollen nodes. Was told they had probably swollen because I had had a recent flu jab.
Unfortunately another mammogram, tomogram, ultrasound and 5 biopsies gave me the dreaded news of breast cancer plus 7 cancerous lymph nodes found during my op. This was November 2024.
Since then, an operation on December 18th to remove the cancer and all of my axilla nodes, (I had 12 in total) (also opted for a breast reduction while they were there) 6 months of chemo, 15 daily radiotherapy sessions, now on Letrezole, Abemaciclib, Calcium + vitD and about to start Zoledronic acid infusions in the new year.
My first annual mammogram is due tomorrow, Christmas Eve of all days 
but don’t know how confident I am in the mammogram as it didn’t pick anything up in my breast last time, apparently I have dense breasts 
I spoke to my Oncologist the other day and asked would I now be considered to be in remission and she said as I had had every treatment offered, then yes she would consider me to be in remission.
I know it can be a really worrying time, but try and put it out of your mind if you can, as I said earlier, worrying won’t change the outcome anyway.
Hope all goes well for you, try and enjoy Christmas and best wishes for the new year 
Diane
Thank you so much and best wishes to you. Happy Christmas!
I did everything I could to stay busy until the appointment. Like you, my diagnosis was out of the blue. The day of the mammogram I expressed my fears to the technician who was very gentle and understanding. Fortunately my husband was with me and walked with me through diagnosis, surgery, recovery, and treatment. Now he stands with me in all my follow up visits. Hang in there!
Thank you
Hi. I was unaware when I was diagnosed with breast cancer which resulted in a mastectomy just over16 months. I’ve had my one year check and all is okay. What I learned from the whole experience was patience. What you can’t change you just have to roll with. I think I’m probably a better person having learned patience. I wish you well,
Thank you. That’s very good advice. Glad you got a clear scan.