I’ve just received a call to say I need to be recalled after my mammogram. I am going out of my mind as we lost my beautiful mum to breast cancer 2 years ago. I’m 49 and beside myself with worry. I’ve got to wait a week for next appointment
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I’m so sorry to hear about your Mum . Most recalls turn out to be benign but from experience I know that doesn’t help you stop worrying . Many of us are diagnosed from recall but since I have had breast cancer quite a few women have told me that they were recalled and were found to have benign changes but at the stage you were at with the waiting they were all anxious as well. All I can say is that while you are waiting it helps to take day at a time and to keep busy . Reduce your caffeine intake and try to do something active that you love in the meantime. Also stay off Google - I can’t emphasize that enough. Confide in a good friend if you can but don’t tell everyone at this stage .
Many of us have said that waiting for results / tests/ a plan of action is the worst part of all of it - with your experience you will find that hard to believe , comparisons are not helpful but we can’t help but make them. If your fears are proven correct there are many types and degrees of this very common disease and there’s nothing to say that yours would be the same as your Mum’s . Also a lot of research is being thrown at breast cancer because it is such a common disease and treatments are improving all the time . It might help you to talk it this through with the Nurses on the helpline here on 0808 800 6000 - if you are able to go into more detail with them they may be able to give you a little more information.
Take care and let us know how it goes
With love xx
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Thank you for replying, I went into a complete meltdown when they phoned. I suffer with anxiety and this just felt like I was hit by a bus. I’m going to try and keep busy and hopefully the week will go quicker. Hope you’re ok.
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Hi @stafford22
It is very worrying not knowing and that’s a normal reaction for anyone. Plus you have your mums history on your mind, and her passing very recent too……my condolences.
Try stay strong, the tests will get done quickly. As you are probably aware, timing is important and you have done the right thing taking action straight way. If it comes back clear, you will be able to relax, and if it doesn’t you know you are on your way to get it treated.
Best wishes x
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Hello
Waiting and worry before you know one way or another are the worst of it…and until they say you have cancer you don’t ( easy to write but doesn’t stop the anxiety)
As others have said do not do Dr Google ( it isn’t your friend right now)
Try some simple home cooking, go for a walk even though its miserable out there, have a cuppa with friends, distract yourself with a good book or box set
Write down using a pen and paper everything you are imagining and then rip it up and throw it away
Whatever they have recalled you for will be dealt with support and if you need to talk to a nurse call your brrast team at your hospital or use the brilliant ones on here
I am truly sorry that you lost your mom but she is with you every day so tell her and know she loves you always
Huge hugs 
xx
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Thank you for replying, I’ve spoken to the breast care nurse at the hospital and she said there’s something on the mammogram on left breast that wasn’t on mammogram last year. So I’m just going to have to wait til next Thursday for my appt. It feels so long to wait. Im going to try and keep busy but im so scared.
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Hello again
‘Something’… means exactly that
Please try and be as calm as you can
Its horrid , its not easy but you can’t change anything so try and put it to one side and ensure you take someone with you next week and let us know how it goes
I used a free app called Smiling Minds to help me when ‘waiting’ felt like forever and im sure there are lots of things you can do to get ready for Christmas in the meantime
Xx
Thank you,I’m going to pull myself together and not let it take over or I’ll make me low. I’ve just had 3 months off work with anxiety and I’ve been back 3 weeks and now this hits me! Timing isn’t great but I’ll get through it.
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Hang in there I found my ring in nature helpful so if there’s any sunshine where you are this weekend try to get out in it even though it’s cold. I love Yoga and found that and mindfulness helped to an extent . I lost my Mum a few months before I was diagnosed and I really feel for you . Xx
Oh I hate predictive text … being in nature not my ring 
. Xx
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Hi Stafford 22
Presumably this was your first mammogram? Please try not to worry too much. I had a similar experience and was recalled after my first mammogram at 49. This is very common, scary for us, but not unusual. A big part of the screening process is comparing any changes from previous imaging. As they don’t have anything to compare to for the first image you will have been recalled to just check something and further imaging will be done. This doesn’t mean they have found breast cancer, they just want another look. It could be numerous benign things.
This is the trouble with screening, it causes anxiety but please remember that for the majority of the time breast cancer won’t be found. Keep yourself busy and try to distract yourself. You will soon be through it.
Sorry to read about your Mum.
Good luck! x
Thanks Joanne, I’m so sorry to hear about your mum. Im much better today, keeping busy and hopefully next Thursday will come around quick! It’s frustrating that a standard mammogram can’t see if it’s a cyst or mass, I understand the new 3G mammograms is being trialled and this can identify the difference between the two. This will save a lot of anxiety and time for everyone from patient to consultant x
Hello stafford22
Thank you for your post.
It’s completely understandable you’re feeling overwhelmed with anxiety following a call to say you’ve been recalled after a screening mammogram. A recall means you need further assessment because a change has been seen on your mammogram, but being recalled doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer.
As many of the supportive forum members have said, it’s very normal to be anxious but a recall can be harder to cope with when like you, you’ve had someone close to you die with breast cancer. You may find this blog on ‘I’ve been recalled after a mammogram’ a useful read as it explains what to expect when you attend your breast clinic appointment in a week’s time.
It might help to know that although your mum had breast cancer, this does not automatically mean you’re at a greater risk of developing breast cancer.
Most breast cancers are not inherited. There are only a small number of people who will be at a greater risk of developing breast cancer because they have a significant family history. The biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer are being a woman and increasing age.
You are welcome to call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes
Heidi
Breast Care Nurse
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