breast cancer

Hello.

I hope you can help me.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2023. Early last year, I had a lumpectomy to remove a cancerous growth from my right breast and then had to have further surgery in March to remove the lymph glands in my arm, because it had spread.

I had my first mammogram on the 6th January of this year (2025) and today I have received a text message for an appointment next week  at the breast surgery unit at my Primary care  hospital. I haven't yet received a letter to explain my recall, so can you please give me some advice as I am very worried about the recall. I was told that if everything was ok, my breast care nurse would call me and I would not need to reattend until 2026. 

I understand that you can not be specific as you don't know my circumstances, but I would really appreciate your advice please as a week is now an eternity for me.

Many thanks.

Paula

  • Please call them tomorrow and explain that you have anxiety and need to know what the reason is for the recall.

    A week I a long time to wait when your mind is playing tricks :( 

  • Hello Paula and thank you for posting,

    I was sorry to learn that you needed to have treatment for breast cancer.

    Waiting for tests and test results can be a stressful and anxious time and I can appreciate you are concerned that you have had a recall appointment.

    If it's possible, it would be worth speaking with your breast nurse specialist as they know your situation and may have more information for you.

    There may be several reasons for the recall, for example, if it is a clear image or it didn't show some of the breast tissue.

    I hope you can speak to someone and you get some answers soon.

    If you would like to talk things through with one of our nurses, you would be welcome to speak with one of our nurses on the helpline. We are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and the freephone number to call is 0808 800 4040.

    Take care,

    Jemma