Here's the deal: last year, at the age of 40, I had my first mammogram. Last Wednesday, I had my annual exam, along with a mammogram. I received a call on Friday that I need to come in because they wanted to re-check my mammogram. It's scheduled for tomorrow morning, and I"m freaking out! I've heard that about 10% of women are called back for a re-check, and of those 10%, 85% are fine, but I'm still freaking out. : ) Any positive stories out there?
As a side note, I had leukemia 13+ years ago, at the age of 27; my father and his father died from lung cancer; his mother and sister had breast cancer (post-menopausal, both died, but not from breast cancer); his other sister had pancreatic duct cancer (still living); his nephew had leukemia (living); my maternal grandmother had bladder cancer, and kidney cancer (had her kidney removed at the age of 89, still living); cancer just runs in my family!
Again, any positive stories would be appreciated!
Thanks to ALL of you that responded! I went back this morning and got the "All clear, see you next year!" They also said "Now you can sleep tonight!". And they're right.
My first mammogram I knew something was up when before I even left they wanted to take some more scans. Then from that they wanted to do another scan and a biopsy. I was on pins and needles but it all came back normal. that was a couple years ago. I need to go back for another...
Best wishes to you and hang in there - the waiting is the worst part!
This is why I loved my old place in Chicago -- they wouldn't let you leave without an honest "all clear"! Hate the callbacks. Just wanted to remind you not to freak out about freaking out. Of COURSE you're worried, it's never good to have things hanging, especially when you have such cancer in the family. I survived breast cancer, as did my mother, while her mother died from it. So every little ache and pain I get is turned into cancer in my brain. It's OK to be a little worried, don't feel bad or stress yourself to stop.... lots of deep breaths and don't freak out, it'll be OK!
I had a call-back this year and can understand the freaking out (my mom had her first case of breast cancer/mastectomy in her early 40's). In my case, the radiologist had detected a change in my left breast between this year's and last year's mammogram and wanted to check further. They did some more detailed mammography (close up of the area in question) and then an ultrasound which determined that it was a few benign cysts (which the radiologist said was very common for women in their mid/late 40's).
Take deep breaths and tell yourself that it's a good thing that your medical practitioner is being careful and having you re-checked - it's better than *not* getting re checked and then finding out next year that they missed something!
I was called back for a 2nd one once. There was an area that they wanted another/better view of. It was fine. Also, if they neglected to remind you about not using deodorant beforehand, that might mess up your results as well. (The aluminum in the deodorant affects the imaging process).
I think I had my first at 34 because my left breast was hurting me. When I went in the lady said not to worry if they call me back for another one since most have to. Well they did call since they saw something on the right breast so I was totally freaked out but then they said it was fine so I wouldn't worry too much since it is your first and they have nothing to compare it to. Good luck!
I got my first call back in the mail this past Saturday. I have my recheck set for this Thursday morning. To say the least it was a very LONG three day weekend for me. The letter gave me no clue with what they found, which was frustrating. I called my regular doctor today because they were sent a copy of my report. They told me the report said the the views on the right breast were "incomplete". Meaning the views didn't come out well and they got some shadows and want to retake some views and do an ultrasound. My doctor said that they changed locations for their mammograms for this very reason of having so many of their patients having to come back for 2nd screenings. Meaning alot of the time is a "technical" issue and not something being found on the views. I'm a little relieved and a little pissed. I'm disappointed that they couldn't make this more clear in their letter to me. Sure wish that they had a better way to detect breast cancer in us girls than radiating our boobs anyway, I'm not big on the idea of it to begin with. Ok sorry, I'm venting ;) Take a breath and glad that you are going soon. Looks like this is some thing that is quite common with mammograms.
Best Regards,
C.
I will keep you in my prayers. My story is this. I had my base line done several years ago. A two years ago I went and had another one done in a different state. They said everything was fine. Then my doctor called and said there was something iffy. I asked WTH does iffy mean. She said they wanted to compare from previous mammos. I called and had the records sent across country FED EX to the doctor. Then a week later the nurse at my doctor's office called and said "Your mammogram came back fine." I flipped. I demanded the doctor. The doctor got on the phone and said, "Oh we compared the films and everything is fine." Could not believe it. It seemed so unprofessional.
So, that was my story. Just try to stay positive, although I would be freaking out too. If you must, call them back and ask to personally speak with the doctor. Maybe that will help get you through the night.
All the best, sweetie!
I've had 2nd mammograms along with ultrasound. Everything was fine. I freaked out the first time they called me back as well. I was so nervous!
Try to relax - it's most likely nothing and they just want to be sure. Good luck!
I've been called back for a second and everything was fine. The high number of times this happens is one more reason that the latest reviews of this screening test have suggested that they should only be done regularly for women 50 and over. Women in their 40s tend to have denser breasts that are harder to see on the films, which leads to return visits.
