Hello Crochet-queen

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so anxious ahead of your recall appointment at the breast clinic. It's understandable that you may be struggling with the uncertainty about what was seen on your recent mammogram and what it may potentially mean for you. 

We know that for many people this period of waiting and uncertainty can be really difficult. The unknown can be a scary prospect to face but the positive thing to take from this is that area of concern has been identified and the team already have a plan in place to investigate it further. 

We have lots of women here in the Cancer Chat community who have been through treatment for breast cancer and I hope that you will be able to connect with some of them soon. For the moment I'm going to tag in Jolamine who I know regularly shares her story with others. I'm sure she'll stop by to say hello and offer some sage words of advice and support when she can. 

You might find it helpful to chat things through with one of our nurses ahead of your appointment. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can along with helping you think about any questions you might want to ask. If you'd like to talk with them they're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on at your appointment Crochet-queen. I'll be keeping everything crossed that the team can give you some reassurance. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi, my partners story is exactly the same as yours with similar diagnosis and treatment..almost identical steps along the way.

"Yes but it's not the same. I am me" ...you might think and of course you're right. 

However, she has survived this horrible identical journey you are undertaking and come out the other side cancer free and settled albeit struggling to put up with me !!

I am certain you will too. Love and strength to you.

Hi Crochet-queen,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

With so much uncertainty about, this is always an anxious time. Was this your first mammogram? More people are called back after this, than after any other mammogram. This is because there are no previous images to compare the current findings to. Not everyone who gets a call back will have cancer. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer, before I was recalled. Fortunately, I later discovered that I was recalled, because my image was not as clear as it might have been and I was eventually given the all clear. 

Several years later, I was diagnosed with 2 bouts of breast cancer, within a year of each other. Again, I was extremely worried, but treatments have come a long way since my mum's time and, there was just no comparison between  the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare which we both received. My diagnosis was 14 years ago now and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

Do you have a date for your recall yet? I hope that it is due soon and that all turns out well for you too. In the meantime, steer well clear of "Dr Google", as much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases. These won't apply to you, won't give you any answers, but will only serve to scare you further. Try to keep busy, in order to help keep your mind off the wait.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember, that we are always here fo you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for this. Appt is next Monday 28th so we’ll see what happens then. 

Hi there. No I’ve had many mammograms, yearly for a while up to 50 years old as I have family history. Then every 3 years. 
I'm afraid I’ve googled everything I can think of as I’m someone who likes to know what lies ahead. I realise I may well find it’s not cancer but I also prepare for the worst and hope for the best. My husband is just assuming all is well and I’ll be fine. He is supportive but that’s his way of coping. 

Hi Crochet-queen,

Most of us go straight to Google, then panic at what we read. There really is no point in doing this, until you know whether or not this is cancer. Even if it turns out to be, you don't know what type of breast cancer it is, or what stage it is. I think that your husband's way of coping is pretty similar to that of most partners. I am glad to hear that he is supportive, but I'm sure that he is worried too and trying to support you as well as he can.

I'm like you, in that I like to be prepared for every eventuality. I am glad to hear that you now have an appointment for your call back. It usually takes about 2 weeks to get the results, if you have a biopsy, so be prepared for another anxious wait. Just because you get one, doesn't mean that you have cancer. A biopsy is the best way to determine whether a lesion is benign, or malignant. It is a fact that, of all the people referred to the breast clinics, only 20% get a cancer diagnosis. The other 80% have naturally lumps breasts, benign cysts, fibrous changes in their breasts, etc.

I shall be thinking of you on 28th. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx