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Mammogram recall

sarah172
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I got a recall letter 4 days after my routine mammogram, my breasts have always been a bit 'lumpy' so I find it quite hard to tell if I have any lumps but since the letter I wonder if I do have a lump - I have an area which is a bit tender and possibly a lump not sure.  I am not on HRT but had it last year for around 10 months but stopped due to it causing bleeding - not sure if this is significant.  Since the letter I have tried to stay positive but I am really worried in case I have cancer because I care for my very elderly parents and my Dad has dementia.  I have no idea how I would tell them because I don't think they could cope with the news. Also I have a daughter so I would be worried about her genetic risk and also telling her as well. 

I feel I am really strong and will be brave and I know that women a lot younger than me (I am 60) have breast cancer.  I have been lucky in my life but I am so frantic about my family should I need further treatment.  

Both my paternal Grandparents died young of cancer - My Grandad of bowel cancer aged just 32 and my Grandma of bladder cancer aged 58 but both my parents are in their late 80s and have not had cancer.  I wonder if I have a genetic risk due to my paternal Grandparents but not sure if there is any link to these different cancers and breast cancer. 

I would appreciate any advice but I know not to google and to stay positive - I am sorry for this long rambling post.  Thankyou x

  • Hello Sarah172 and thanks for the post

    Firstly please try not to let your thoughts run away with themselves for now. Many women get a recall after a mammogram and in most cases the result won't be cancer.

    When cancer is in the family, people often assume that this greatly increases their risk of developing it, but this isn't always true.  Although the genes we inherit may influence our risk, this might not be by very much. No one is risk free and the risk of cancer increases for all of us as we get older. This is quite a complicated topic and it might be useful to look at our website which has a section explaining genes and inherited cancer risk.

    Cancer is caused by build up of changes in our genes and/or the way our genes behave. Changes occur because of mistakes or faults which in most cases of cancer have developed over someone's lifetime and are not inherited. Faulty cancer genes can be passed from one generation to the next, but they are uncommon. 

    My advice to you for now would be to take things one step at a time. Go to your appointment and see what they have to say. They may wish to repeat the mammogram and possible do an ultrasound as well. Depending on what they can or cannot see they may also take a biopsy ( tissue sample) but this may not be needed. Do let they know about the area you have experienced some tenderness at the same time.

    I hope you know more soon and that everything turns out okay for you.Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care

    Naomi

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