Worried

I presented to my gp in Aug 20' with pain around my collarbone which was also travelling down to my underarm. Gp did an examination and said all was ok. The pain and discomfort continued so I reattended the gp surgery to a different gp in Oct.  This gp examined me and decided that as I am just over 50, had a total hysterectomy 2.5yrs previous and am since on HRT and that this is ongoing , that she would refer me to breast check . I got referral and had routein mammogram on November 30th 20'. Got a letter bk to invite me for further screening . On January 18th 21' I had a diagnostic mammogram as the first mamogram showed an area of concern. From there at the same appointment I had a breast ultrasound.  The radiologist said that all was ok and I was free to leave. On Friday past I received a phone call from the breast clinic asking me to attend an appointment this coming Monday.  When I asked what for that I had had my screening she said it is part of the triple assessment and that the upcoming appointment is biopsy and examination......

I'm so confused as the radiologist that performed the ultrasound said all was good so why would I have another appointment.  Is this normal proceeding or is there something I might have to be concerned about..looking for advice

  • Hi Willowbrook.  Welcome to the forum.

    I think this is a case of the hospital not explaining its procedures to you.

    It's good news that the sonographer who did your ultrasound could find nothing wrong, but that's only one part of the process.  It might well be part of the department's standard protocol to always carry out a biopsy just to confirm the ultrasound's findings.  It is also very common to call the patient back for a face to face meeting to discuss the findings - even if no cancer is found!

    It is also very common for the people who work in a department to have only the vaguest idea of how things are organised!  So we often hear tales of patients being confused (and alarmed) when one person tells them they'll receive a phone call with the results, only for them to receive a letter inviting them to an appointment. 

    Such things happen so frequently that there's no point in reading anything sinister into them - simply go with the flow. If they want you for an appointment, then turn up on time and let the organised chaos of a busy hospital department work its way around you.