I am 49 (50 in exactly 2 weeks) and I went for my first ever mammogram a couple of weeks ago. I did not give it much thought until I got a recall letter and now I am terrified. I went on the NHS app and my GP has been told there is an abnormality which is “uncertain”. Does anyone know what an uncertain abnormality is? I am absolutely terrified! I have follow up tests on the 23rd so I guess I will find out more then.
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Hi benion
Sorry you are here. I was quite similar 3 years ago at 53. Recall letter after first mammogram saying it was ‘unclear’. I went to breast clinic thinking they meant the images were maybe just a bit blurry. I did however end up having ultrasound and biopsy. Unfortunately cancer was detected. Due to screening it was found early and was treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy.
You will obviously find out more at your appointment and after any possible additional testing. A lot of people go through this and all comes back clear.
Thinking about you - let us know how you get on x
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Thank you for your post and reassurance. It means a lot to me that you have taken the time to reply. I am sorry to hear that your result came back as cancer. That must have been truly horrible for you. I am going to try and call the local hospital’s nurses tomorrow to see if they can give me any more information.
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A good bit of news. I phoned up this morning and I explained to the office manager how much I was struggling with all of this and they have brought my appointment forward to this Thursday.
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Oh dear Benion, I am sorry you have this worry. But please DO NOT be terrified. The chances are good that the ‘abnormality’ will be something straightforward as this happens in most cases. However, IF you don’t get the news you want, try to take it as good that the problem has been identified so quickly and you will go in to treatment. Cancer is simply not the terrible sentence it used to be and although the road to wellness can be long and difficult, you will get through it and emerge your old self. This is the worst time right now with the anxiety of waiting. It DOES get better. Wishing you the best.
I’ve been in today after a follow up from my 2nd mammogram. I’m not feeling very positive but they were quick, kept me informed about what they were doing & why. Results in 10 days.
Waiting is really nasty but these days they try to turn everything around really quickly so fingers crossed for Thursday. Remember most things they find are NOT cancer xx
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Hi @benion welcome, and sorry for the circumstances.
The team have spotted something on the images that they need to investigate further. Mammograms can spot certain things, but they don’t necessarily give the team the level of detail required. Ultrasound gives them a lot more, so this is likely what they want to do for you in your recall appointment. If they are still unsure they may do a tiny biopsy which still doesn’t necessarily mean there is cancer, it may well be benign. In my case, there were two calcifications that they spotted. One of them was benign, but the other had pre-cancerous cells in, so they wanted to get them out. They did a tiny lumpectomy and then I had a bit of radiotherapy. Treatment was minimal because they picked it up so early.
Every single person on this forum will completely relate to and empathise with how you are feeling right now. Nothing we say or do will stop you from worrying and fearing the worst, but if you can possibly hold on to the thought ‘it’s not cancer until they say it is’, then you will minimise the stress this will be placing on you.
Sending you lots of really good vibes for Thursday. Please do let us know how you get on. Whatever the outcome, you’re not alone.
Good luck to you benion.
Breast cancer is pretty awful but I have had it twice and am still squawking away and crapping on people from above.
Early diagnosis is good but a shock. I didn’t bother with mammograms as I found my first lump aged 47 and my second age 67 without them.
I am now too old for them which is silly as the rate of breast cancer goes up the older you are. I think it must be because once you are over 70 you are past it! You can have them on request I think.
I had very dense breast tissue which didn’t show up anything the first time so I have little faith
I hope your biopsy result is clear. It is the big day for me tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I am glad the waiting will be over, but on the other hand I am absolutely dreading what will be said. I want to repeat that it means an awful lot to me that total strangers have taken the time and consideration to reach out over the Internet to try to reassure me. I will update the forum once I get more information from the hospital.
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Sending love and hoping above all hopes that you get the result you are hoping for. xx
It was all a false alarm. I have some tiny cysts and an area of benign calcification. No biopsy required. I feel like a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel like I can relax now. Thank you again for all your support.
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@benion that is BRILLIANT news! I could not be more happy for you. And it just goes to prove the importance of getting these things checked. It was an enormous stress for you, but had you put your head in the sand, it would have niggled you under the surface.
Allow yourself to feel nothing but pride in doing what you did. x
Hi benion
That is fantastic news. A massive relief for you. You deserve to celebrate x