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69, previous mammos clear, just been recalled.

Celticlady
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The anxiety is killing me. I have long covid so my nervous system is dysregulated. Just wondering if something sinister is lurking as mammos every 3 years allows things to develop. Has anyone else had this situation but been OK? Or at my age, would any 'changes' be slow growing... I have a 5 week wait but am on cancellation list. Any anecdotes appreciated, new on here :) 

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    Hi there- I am 69 & have had regular 3 yearly mammograms since the age of 51with no previous problems.  In May I was recalled for the first time.  Like you, my anxiety was through the roof.  My recall appointment was scheduled for when we were due to go abroad so I had to wait until we got back.  It consisted of a breast examination, another mammogram concentrating on the area of change, an ultrasound & then a final consultation with the Consultant to discuss my results.  I was there about 3 hours altogether.  Thankfully, & luckily for me, there was no cancer detected- my ‘change’ from the previous mammogram was due to a normal spot/zit on my right breast (the sort you can get anywhere on your body) which the very sensitive mammogram equipment had picked up as a ‘change’ from the one I had 3 years earlier.  The Consultant relayed this news & I was immediately discharged.

    Before my appointment I did the research & found out that 3 out of every 4 recalls are not due to cancer - so try & keep that in mind whilst you are waiting for your appointment.  You have also done your bit by attending your mammogram appointments & the fact that they are 3 years apart leads you to believe that the 3 year time frame has been determined for a reason (otherwise we would be asked to go more regularly).

    I’m sure you will be fine.  Good luck & take care

    xx

  • Offline in reply to chrissypaul

    Thank you for this... I did have calcification many years ago, and my mother sadly passed with bc so I'm always wary about this. 

    I'm guessing that being an older lady, any cancers would hopefully be the slow growing kind. I've been doom scrolling re biopsies and scaring myself! Just wish a cancellation would crop up. x

  • Offline in reply to Celticlady

    It’s very easy to scare yourself when you read a lot of the material that’s out there.  For me, I hadn’t noticed any changes in either breast so the recall wasn’t expected at all.  My outcome was described as “a benign skin lesion up to 2mm in size(similar to a small spot on the skin)- no further action required”.  In some ways I find it reassuring that the mammogram equipment picked up this very small change from 3 years ago- & if it had have been something more serious I think catching it following a mammogram must be one of the quickest ways to do it & early detection, we’re told, is key in getting the best outcomes.

     I hope you get your cancellation as I found the long wait the hardest thing- it allows your mind to go into over-drive.  Let us know how you get on- I think talking to others who have experienced those same feelings, worries & concerns is the best therapy.  Take care, xx

  • Offline in reply to chrissypaul

    Yes I think being long covid for 2 years has worn me down mentally and physically so this is another wearing thing.

    2mm is tiny, as you say it's reassuring that this can be picked up. I'm imagining it's calcification clusters for me but could be wrong. I'm keen to hear from any other ladies with calcification changes.

    Will update with the results, meanwhile thank goodness for crime thrillers and trash TV! X

  • Offline in reply to Celticlady

    I think it might have been a bit more obvious to me if they’d told me ‘which’ breast the change was in- I may then have ‘spotted the spot’ but the recall letter didn’t confirm that so I was none the wiser what to look for.

    I wish I’d had my result before my holiday- my poor husband had to put up with me going on about it all week. Could do with another holiday now to make up for the one that was overshadowed.  Yes -please update with your results & keep your mind occupied with those crime thrillers & trash TV! xx


  • Offline in reply to chrissypaul

    Yes I would have been exactly the same on hols. If only you had the result before you could have celebrated!

    Interesting the spot was on the surface of your skin. 

    They told me at clinic, it's my left breast as I rang and asked them. Wouldn't disclose anything else, probs picked up on my manic state! 

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