Hi Cjmummy,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

I can fully understand your fear. More people are recalled after their first mammogram, than after any subsequent ones. This is because the hospital has no previous images to compare your first one to. There are many different reasons for recall. It could be that the mammogram is not as clear as it could be and they just need further clarification to be sure.-, or it could be because they suspect that there may be something untoward present. I was recalled and it was just because they needed a better image - fortunately, nothing was found. I have since had 2 bouts of breast cancer, within a year of one another. I had a lumpectomy first time around and a double mastectomy for the second bout. Fortunately, that was all 14 years ago now and I still lead a busy, yet fulfilling life. 

Breast cancer doesn't present as being painful in most cases, but the earlier it is caught, the better the outcome usually is.

I hope that your appointment comes through soon and that nothing untoward is found. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you for your response and the information. It has really helped me. I'm really glad you are doing so well and you beat your breast cancer twice. You are absolutely amazing, especially doing twice within a short space of time. 

I'm really glad I posted, my mined was in overdrive and couldn't sleep and just felt I had no where to turn who understood.

My friends and husband have been great. They keep saying there will be nothing there, I haven't the heart to them they are not helping. I'm mentally preparing myself, for I have it. Something is just telling me I do.

Thank you for listening 

Cjmummy x

Hi Cjmummy,

I am glad to hear that you found my information helpful. It is good to hear that you have a good support network from family and friends. Unfortunately, their reassurance and positivity tends to frustrate us more than help at this stage. This is understandable, as they too are frightened, even though they try not to show it. 

You will always find that you get good support from people on this site. These people, who have experienced what you are going through, are happy to give you the benefit of their experience and I'm sure that you'll feel glad that you've found us. Most of us think that it's going to be bad news, but 80% of people, who attend the breast clinic don't get a cancer diagnosis. Many have naturally lumpy breasts, benign cysts or fibroadenoma. I sincerely hope that your appointment comes through soon and that you get good news.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Both my sister and my mum have had recalls. My mum's was an old burst cyst that had calcified, and not sure what my sister's was but it was obviously fine because heard nothing more about it and that was a few years ago.

The one who did have cancer, my wife, found her cancer by pure chance.

As mentioned above, over 80% of those who are recalled or who even find lumps aren't diagnosed with cancer. Also mentioned above, the first mammograms are usually the ones that do get recalled simply because there's no historic records to tell them what's normal for you.

Hi Just wanted to give an update. I was at the hospital yesterday. I have a 2-3cm lump in my right breast. They done an ultrasound and took three biopsies. The consultant us very concerned about the same area, where the lump is. They checked my lymph nodes and can't see anything. Igo back on 24th October for results and treatment plan.

Thank yiu for all your support 

Hi Jolamine? Just a quick update. I have a 2-3cm lump in my right breast. I've had a ultrasound nothing seen in lymph nods around my arm pit. They took 3 biopsies. Gey the results in two weeks and what the treatment plan will be.

Hi just an update? I have a 2-3cm lump in my right breast. I had a ultrasound done the can't is anything in my lymph nods in my arm pit. I got 3 biopsies down. They are concerned about a small area where the lump is. I will get results in two weeks and treatment plan.

Thank yiur listening and supporting me

Hi Jolamine

I went for my appointment I have 2/3cm lump. Three biopsies were taken. I get my results tomorrow (24/10/24). They have told me they are concerned and it's more than likely breast cancer. They side there is a slim chance that it's not cancer. Positive news they scanned my lymph nods and they can't see anything.

Thank you

Cjmummy x

Hi Cjmummy,

Thank you for the update. I am glad to hear that you have now had your appointment and are due to get your results tomorrow. I am sorry that they feel that your lump is "suspicious", but relieved to know that they don't think that any of your lymph nodes are affected. I have been told this before, but the biopsy results turned out to be benign. On other occasions, I have been told this and biopsy proved them right. It really is impossible to tell, until you get your biopsy results back. You will find that, irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you actually know what is happening.

I am keeping everything crossed that you get good news tomorrow. 

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

I had a lumpectomy and 4 lymph nodes removed on 29th November following my diagnosis of breast cancer in October. 

Unfortunately they found 3/4 lymph nodes had cancer cells.

I'm going on 9/1/25 for 2nd operation to remove all lymph nodes and they are taking more breast tissue. 

Just another page in the story of my journey.

Hi sorry to jump on your comment,but I was just wondering where your lump was. I have just had my 3 biopsies and litually terrified for my results,which I don't get until 23rd Jan. Also how long were you in hospital for,just I live alone with my 3 children. Thank you Suzanne 

Hi Cjmummy,

I am glad to hear that your lumpectomy is now behind you and I hope that you are recovering well. You must have been very disappointed to discover that there were the cancer was in some of your lymph nodes, but you're just as well to discover this early on.

Did they say why they are going to remove more breast tissue at the same time, as they remove the rest of your lymph nodes - was it because they didn't achieve a clear margin last time?

I shall be thinking of you on 9th January and I hope that it all goes well this time.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Cjmummy,

I am glad to hear that your lumpectomy is now behind you and I hope that you are recovering well. You must have been very disappointed to discover that there were the cancer was in some of your lymph nodes, but you're just as well to discover this early on.

Did they say why they are going to remove more breast tissue at the same time, as they remove the rest of your lymph nodes - was it because they didn't achieve a clear margin last time?

I shall be thinking of you on 9th January and I hope that it all goes well this time.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

My surgery was brought forward to the 2/1/25. I'm just over 1 week post operation.

They removed the lymph nodes and more breast tissue because they weren't happy with the margin as they found pre cancerous cells. So hopefully this time things will be clear. 

There is no results back yet. My consultant has told me chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy is most likely the route he is recommending.

Cjmummy x

Hi Cjmummy,

I am just wondering how you are feeling - are you a little sore under your arm, where the lymph nodes were removed from? I hope that your recovery is going well.

I don't know whether or not you've noticed yet, but I have accepted your friend request.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

I'm doing good, I'm a little tender under my arm and in my arm pitt, also inside my breasts, where they shaved mire breast tissue off. They went back through my previous wound from the first surgery.

I'm doing my exercises at least 3 times a day, I find the excises really helps reduce the pain. I'm not having to relay on painkillers now.

Thank you for accepting my friend request, i just would like to have people who understand and aren't part of my support circle.

I'm very lucky and people are very good but I feel  lonely at times, because they don't understand and I hope they never understand this journey.

I'm not going to lie chemo scares me it's the physical changes losing your hair etc it's more for my children sake.

Hooe you are keeping well.

Cjmummy x

Hi Cjmummy,

It is always a bit more tender, when they have to do a second surgery, so soon after the first. I also found that my underarm was more tender, when they took the lymph nodes away. It's good to hear that you are managing your exercises regularly, as this helps to get rid of the pain. This may be why you're not relying on painkillers now?

The thought of chemo scares most of us, but it's there to serve a valuable purpose. What ages are your children? I'm sure that, with a little pre-planning, you could avoid your hair loss being too scary. Many shave their head in advance of treatment - could you involve them in this? You could explain that your treatment has to get to your scalp, which is easier without having to get through your hair. You could involve them in choosing a wig, which, no doubt, they will want to try on. This can be a fun event for them, even if not for you. Your hair will soon grow back. Remember that this treatment is all to give you extra time with your children, in the long run.

No matter how supportive our family and friends try to be, this is still a lonely journey, when they don't fully understand what we are going through. This is what makes a forum, like this, so helpful, as nearly everyone has had, or has been afflicted by cancer in some way or another and they fully appreciate your concerns. I am always here, any time you want to chat.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx