I’ve had a recall from a mammogram I had last week as part of a routine healthcheck (and all the other results had gone so well !)
They’ve said I need to go for a “paddle view” and ultrasound. I spoke to a doctor at the BUPA clinic where I had the check, and he said that I really shouldn’t worry about it at all, a recall wasn’t that unusual…which was reassuring except that the radiography department then told me that I “had to” have the follow-up appointment on Monday. obviously I want it as soon as possible, so this is fine by me, but the fact they were so keen to get me in as soon as possible made me wonder whether the doctor was just saying there was nothing to worry about.
I’m 50, and this is my first mammogram. The doctor who performed the health check didn’t find any lumps during the physical exam, but obviously I know that the mammogram picks up problems that can’t be spotted by touch.
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Maybe they saw an unusual area on the mammogram which need further investigation, it could be a few things, I had microcalcification which doesnt present as a lump and a fibroadenoma which also couldnt be felt. The calcs were abnormal and were a worry but the fibroadenoma which was benign was removed with them and all was fine, no more treatment just yearly mammos.
Hope this helps
let us know how you get on. We are all here if you are worried while you are waiting. Its the hardest time.
I think the doc mentioned “asymetry”. I’ve done a search on this , but most of the stuff I found seems a bit technical. Can any of you kind ladies explain what it means ?
I think it means that one of your breasts seems different or heavier than the other and should be investigated further. Ive been looking it up under breast asymmetry, be careful though because googling stuff about breast cancer can scare the living daylights out of you. Whatever you read try not to get too worried as everyone is different and will have different symptoms so its best to wait for your appointment if you can.
yvonne is right - you can look and look and look but until you know more about your own results you’ll just drive yourself nuts with "what if this " and “what if that”
do your best to put it out you mind and have fun instead
if it’s good news then you won’t have wasted time worrying … and in the event it was to be less good news (which we all hope it isn’t) then there is plenty of time to find out more …
asymettry is spotted when they look at the two mammograms for each breast together and compare them. If they spot they look different, they are alerted to the fact that one of the breasts may have changes in it. They then look at what has caused those changes. A lot of women get what is called fibrocystic changes, these may affect one breast more than the other. Most mammogram recalls show there 's nothing wrong. If there is anything, the earlier it is found the better.
I have had two recalls and was absolutely petrified both times. The first time it was a cyst (which has since burst and disappeared) and the second was to look at changes in one breast that did not quite fit with other changes in breast tissue over the last 18 months. They could find nothing with either ultrasound, or manual feeling but the mammogram showed the changes still. They told me they could find nothing and not to worry. The consultant said he was sure it was nothing to worry about. I still poke around and worry a bit but as they could find noth - well!!!
Most recalls are nothing but that will not stop you worrying until you get the results. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY NORMAL TO WORRY LIKE THIS. I drove my family insane and I know next mammogram I will panic again. Just can’t seem to help it.
The concern was that there was an area of what appeared to be glandular tissue in one breast that wasn’t present in the other…apparently breasts are usually mirror images of each other.
With the repeat mammogram, they could see when they squashed it (and believe me, compared to the initial mammogram, they really did squash it !) that the tissue behaved like normal breast tissue.
The ultrasound confirmed this - the doctor said she was pretty confident without it, so I’m back to routine screening frm now on.
So…panicking about nothing and hugely relieved !
I’d like to thank you ladies for your support. Don’t get me wrong - I hope we don’t need to meet up again, but if we do, it’s great to know that you’re here !
Hello. I had a recall letter last week, I’m 63 and have had quite a few mammograms over the years as a part of the screening programme, all have been fine so the recall came as rather a shock as I wasn’t aware of any lumps or changes. After my letter arrived I kept checking myself and thought that my left side was a bit painful, all sorts of things were going through my mind even though I tried not to think negatively. I attended the clinic for the further tests this morning and was told that there were some small changes in my right breast from my last mammogram so another would be carried out, I’d then see a doctor for a physical examination and if necessary a scan and possibly a biopsy depending on the results. The staff were lovely and very supportive being very aware that it’s really stressful not knowing. Thankfully the second mammogram was fine, the changes were nothing to be worried about and the physical examination verified that and I don’t need to be seen until the next regular screening or of course if I’m worried about anything in the meantime. I’d just like to say that it’s normal to be worried, all of the ladies who were waiting for their tests and results felt the same and quite a few had experienced or became aware of discomfort etc in one of their breasts, strangely it was often the opposite one to the one that needed checking??? I’ve read that sometimes you are called back after a first mammogram as they have no earlier ones to go by. I hope all goes well for you x
I am aged 48 and had my first mammogram about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday (Saturday) I had a letter for another screening, I was so upset thinking the worse. The letter didn’t explain why I had to go back. There was no one I could ring to chat to about the next steps. Should I be worried
hi Soph,
As it’s your first mammo, a recall is not unusual as there isn’t another one to compare it with, mostly it turns out to be nothing serious. I think that 3 out of 4 recalls turn out to br fine.
If on the off chance it is bc, then it’s likely to have been caught nice & early, when its most easily dealt with & the mammo then, would have done it’s job.
I am certainly very grateful for the screening programme as many of us here are. Yes, I did get an early bc diagnosis, treatment was quite straightforward & now back to life as normal.
If you want to, let us know how you get on.
ann x
Hi Soph, as Ann says a recall after first mammogram is often due to nothing sinister, my sister, best friend and a cousin were recalled and none of them had breast cancer, they simply have nothing to compare it with so something that may be perfectly normal for you may flag up and they have to check’it out , my friend had some innocent scar tissue, sisters was due to them creasing her breast in the mammo causing an area that couldn’t be seen clearly and cousins was just natural fibrocystic changes for her age, I know it’s frightening but it really is highly likely to be ok Xx Jo
Hi Soph, as Ann says a recall after first mammogram is often due to nothing sinister, my sister, best friend and a cousin were recalled and none of them had breast cancer, they simply have nothing to compare it with so something that may be perfectly normal for you may flag up and they have to check it out , my friend had some innocent scar tissue, sisters was due to them creasing her breast in the mammo causing an area that couldn’t be seen clearly and cousins was just natural fibrocystic changes for her age, I know it’s frightening but it really is highly likely to be ok Xx Jo
Hi everyone. I’ve just received a letter for a recall after my first mammo. I’m 47 and I haven’t felt any changes or discomfort in my breasts so this really upsets me and I’m terrified. I called to chat a nurse and she said there were some calcification on my right breast so they need to test further to check. I’m now expecting to hear the worst and thinking about the tests and process…I’m mentally drained. Any reassurance would be much appreciated ??