Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: warwick01 on July 27, 2014, 08:04:29 PM
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Hi Ladies
I am so worried, I had my 3 year mammogram last Monday. Whilst there the nurse asked if I had noticed any changes to my breast. I replied I had noticed a small pea like lump at the top of my left breast oposit end to my nipple.
Before my mammograme the nurse told me not to be surprised if I get recalled because I have told them about the lump. The problem is I received a letter Sat morning asking me to go to the breast care centre for some tests. Why not the mobile Xray where I had my mammagrom?? My mind is working overtime and I am so scared.........
Anyone else had a similar experience?? >:(
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Hello Warwick01 - same thing happened to me. If you say you have felt some thing new you will be recalled no matter what. I waited 6 weeks for the letter and it was a recall - I panicked and phoned but they said the mammogram was ok but because of new findings I needed to have more tests. I had to go to the local breast care Wales centre ( not where I had the original mamo) and had another mamo and ultrasound - all was fine.
Please try not to worry . Had I not mentioned the lumpy area I would have not been recalled. As it happens I'm glad I was xx
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Thank You Groundhog
That's what I keep telling myself, but then the little voice in my head tells me the oposit....... why so quick? why the breast care centre...... etc. I am a worrier and on top of the meno struggle for the last 5 years I can't cope with the thought of having more treatment or being told to come off HRT.
Your post really helps....thanks again x
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Hi warwick01
Do not panic. You have been recalled to the main breast care department where you will see a breast surgeon, have some more mamos and an ultrasound, if they find anything they will perform either a fine needle aspiration or a core biopsy. A core is taken using local anaesthetic same as dentist uses then a biopsy is taken using a special needle. Most lumps are harmless! If it did turn out to be cancer you have got it early and treatment is very effective these days. Ring the breast care unit speak to the breast care nurse for support.
Good luck
Sweaty bet.
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My mother also got recalled a few years ago and it was within days of her having mamo - but it was fine.
If you have reported a new lump or anything you will get recalled. End of. Please try and stop worrying as Its routine. The doctor told me had I not mentioned the lumpy area I would have not been called back. There are no doctors on the mobile vans which is why you need to go to centre.
Xxx
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What's the worst that can happen? I found a lump on palpation and went through surgical intervention and treatment <wave> - in 1995.
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Thanks for the support. I haven't slept all night thinking what if..........
Your posts are really positive, I know I need to be more rational, but it seems like the apt has come so quickly. But like you say it makes sense as I told the radiologist I can feel a lump.
I will let you know what happens on Wednesday after my apt.
Your support means so much as I haven't told anyone apart of my husband.
Wx
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I know what you mean Warwick, I always jump to the worst case scenario.
When I had my last mammogram they told me the results would be 4 weeks. I heard back within the week. I felt sick when I saw the envelope, the result was clear but I would be same next time.
I don't know anyone who has been back to the original screening place so I wouldn't worry about that.
X
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Good luck warwick. You did the right thing in mentioning the lump and it must have been worrying you anyway. Now at least it is going to be dealt with and you will be able to stop worrying.
Taz x
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I found a 'lump' on my left breast last week, having shown DH it turns out to be a row of 3 bites which don't itch fortunately ::) but I admit to an 'oh' moment :(
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I really don't know what I would do without this site............ I have been filming today as I work in TV which as occupied my mind. Although as soon as I got home I logged on to this wonderful site.
At least like Taz says it will be dealt with on Wednesday, so not long to wait.
fingers crossed Wx
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Are you taking a list of queries with you? Is DH going with U?
Let us know how you get on! Even if your worst fears happen, you can come on here and share.
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Warwick - Please don't worry too much (know easier said than done).
The nurse said you would probably be recalled so don't panic.
They wouldn't be able to do the necessary tests and consultations in the mobile unit where you were first seen, so they would want you to go somewhere else.
The thing is you will be seen on Wednesday and will get help and information then. Hopefully things will be ok then but whatever happens you will know what is going on.
Lots of hugs :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Don't panic, this happened to me after screening on the van. The breast centers have all the equipment for more tests such as ultrasounds. I am sure it will be fine. xx
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I've had several scares through the years and that was what they were...benign. Even a lump that the consultant thought looked like cancer proved to be benign. The majority of lumps are.
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Thank you so much for your posts.
Wednesday can't come quick enough, but have decided just to go alone as I don't want to worry hubby....... trying to act calm but deep inside I can't help but worried, thank goodness I have your support.
I was looking for answers last night on Dr Google which states breast cancer feeds from Estrogen in HRT............never new that! I know without my Oestrogel I wouldn't have any quality of life........ so confused?
My apt is 3:00 tomorrow so will update you all on my return.
W 8)
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Take your hubby or someone else with you. We all need a bit of support at certain times and this is one of them.
If you look at all the statistics then the incidence of HRT causing breast cancer is miniscule.
Let us know how you get on but get your hubby to go for support. I'm sure he would want to.
Honeyb
x
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:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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I agree with those who have recommend you take someone with you. Whatever the outcome of the appointment there may be information to take in and it helps to have another pair of ears.
By the way, keep away from Dr Google, he/she never went to medical school!
All the best.
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My husband would have been devastated had he not been part of the diagnosis and treatment/s that I went through :'( ......... Warwick: do you worry that he will walk away if you do need surgical intervention?
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Good luck for tomorrow - do you think you will take someone with you now? I had a recall but it was after my 1st mamo which is apparently quite common as they have nothing to compare it to. Let us know how you get on......
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Hi -just got back from the hospital. This is what happened.
I arrived and was told it was over an hour waiting time. I sat in this specialist breast care centre where it was evident other Ladies were undergoing cancer treatment, some had their partners by their side others like me were alone. Two young ladies came out in tears obviously it appeared to be bad news.
When I was called I went into the mamagrame room where I was told the Doctor had requested close ups.......... at that point I started to physically shake. Once the Radiologist finished she checked the films and asked me to sit outside to wait for the Doctor, she asked if I was alone...... I felt sick!
The Doctor called me into a room with a ultrasound scan, she told me something had come up on the mamograme and she needed to confirm what the lump is. She put the scan over the breast and instantly said, oh nothing to worry about it's a small cyst...... I could have kissed her with relief, I never want to feel like that again.
Thank you all for the support. My thoughts are with the ladies I saw today and others who were not so lucky :(
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So happy for you Warwick. :foryou:
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Fantastic news Warwick.
Taz x :congrats:
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Great news Warwick.
I have a pet cyst on the left boob... It will get zapped next month when I see my breast surgeon. ;)
He recommends 1000mg starflower oil to keep them under control. When I have a flare-up, I increase it to 1000mg 3 times a day.
Enjoy the relief.
Galadriel x
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Great news :-* x
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Great news. It's nerve wrecking isn't it! But you can now relax xxxxx
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So glad you are ok. :foryou:
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Phew so glad your ok will pray for those that weren't as fortunate today
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Good news warwick, its great women can go for checks and be reassured.
On one hand media raises awareness of health issues especially cancers but at the same time we can scare ourselves because we are so aware.
The feeling of relief is immense. Maybe you can relax with a wee glass of your favourite tipple.
Happy days
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Great news :)
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The feeling of relief is immense: been there done that .......... several years after treatment.
But lung cancer kills more women in the UK and it rarely gets a mention in magazines/media :-\
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I'll never forget getting the phone call saying I needed to be seen as soon as possible for additional tests etc following routine mamm. It was at ten am and my wedding was at 11:30 am. I asked my husband to be if he wanted to postpone or cancel. At one pm we met with the cancer surgeon who explained why my mamm was highly suspicious. I ended up with a core biopsy, which was benign. Agonizing week waiting for results. I, too, pray for those not as fortunate.
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I to have just received a call back letter from hospital was for the 6th of next month but had to change appointment to the 11th as no way of getting there OH away until the 8th so I will be up to 100 until I get there still I will try to remain positive. Came on here as no one to talk to at the moment as OH is away and don't like telling my children or mum as they will just worry, and my mum is 84 lives in England and I live in N Ireland. So keep your fingers crossed for me ladies.
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Leony, can you just go on 'remote control' and try and assume everything will be ok as the stress in the meantime is so hard on your body. I know it's hard but just try and visualize good results and save your energy for if and when you need it. Any projects needing attention? Exercise helps me a lot. In any case, sending you thoughts of strength across the pond.
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Leony it's the waiting that's the worst, I find that once I have the situation in front of me I can find coping strategies!
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She put the scan over the breast and instantly said, oh nothing to worry about it's a small cyst......
What a relief and testament to the fact that most breast lumps are benign. Hope you can now relax and enjoy the weekend
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I to have just received a call back letter from hospital was for the 6th of next month but had to change appointment to the 11th as no way of getting there OH away until the 8th so I will be up to 100 until I get there still I will try to remain positive. Came on here as no one to talk to at the moment as OH is away and don't like telling my children or mum as they will just worry, and my mum is 84 lives in England and I live in N Ireland. So keep your fingers crossed for me ladies.
Hi Leony - hope you can take some comfort from the knowledge that most breast centre recalls are precautionary and do not lead to a cancer diagnosis. Best wishes to you.
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But lung cancer kills more women in the UK and it rarely gets a mention in magazines/media :-\
I've seen a couple of comments to this effect on this forum recently so here is my unashamedly biased take on this...
More women are diagnosed with breast cancer in UK than with primary lung cancer (although lung cancer may be a bigger killer). I don't read newspapers and rarely read magazines but my hypothesis about the perceived discrepancy in press coverage is that the main cause of primary lung cancer is well known - IMHO if someone takes no notice of those stonking great big warnings on cigarette packets they're not likely to read articles in newspaper about the dangers/causes/research. BTW I accept that a small proportion of primary lung cancers are not caused by smoking but it is a small proportion. The causes of breast cancer are not so clear cut and I think this is why there may be more press coverage.
I accept that, of course, I'm massively biased as a person diagnosed with breast cancer and a life-long non-smoker (who has yet another mammogram appt next week).
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I never smoked. I had breast disease in 1995. But we need to keep a sense of perspective in that any symptoms and waiting for diagnosis/treatment is time consuming as well as a great worry.
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Yes indeedy, waiting for appointments and results is horrible and in my experience can be worse than the actual treatment. I have sometimes ended up chasing up results. I had a DEXA scan nearly 2 months ago, no results given to me for ages so rang and got them verbally from Breast Care Nurse (all OK thankfully), but still nothing in writing.
At least we non-smokers are very very unlikely to get lung cancer :)
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Are we? :-\ how about industrial complications?
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Yes, sorry tiger but it's not as unlikely as you think. I have husbands of two friends currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer both caused by exposure to asbestos forty years ago. It's not as uncommon as we think. It's surprising how many things cause lung cancer http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/lung/riskfactors/lung-cancer-risk-factors.
Taz x :(
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My sister's brother in law died four years ago of mesothelioma. He never smoked in his life. He did work briefly with asbestos and paid the ultimate price.
Honeyb
x
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Agree waiting for biopsy results is so stressful my husband has bladder cancer and is awaiting biopsy results they said two weeks and that was two weeks and one day ago !! He is reluctant to ring and I am sick with worry though too scared to call either. They mentioned at biopsy that he may need bladder removal, if it has gone into the muscle I just pray that it hasn't and he can start BCG treatment which can reduce recurrence . Coupled with meno I am going crazy thanks for listening girls x
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Agree waiting for biopsy results is so stressful my husband has bladder cancer and is awaiting biopsy results they said two weeks and that was two weeks and one day ago !! He is reluctant to ring and I am sick with worry though too scared to call either. They mentioned at biopsy that he may need bladder removal, if it has gone into the muscle I just pray that it hasn't and he can start BCG treatment which can reduce recurrence . Coupled with meno I am going crazy thanks for listening girls x
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Sorry to say I am a smoker recently cut down trying hard to stop but when you live with some one who has PTSD it's very hard I know thats no excuse and its my own fault. Told OH about the letter he is being treated over in Scotland at the moment for his PTSD said not to worry will cross that bridge when we come to it after 40 years marriage through good and bad times know we will stick together what ever the outcome. Thanks for all the support and will let you know what happens had an appointment for the 6th but OH not back until the 8th so they said they will arrange it for the 11th of this month so hubby can come with me.
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What support is the person you live with getting for the post traumatic stress disorder? That is the 1st issue to deal with.
Good that you will be taking your husband with you. Make a list of worries to take along to the appt.!
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BTW I accept that a small proportion of primary lung cancers are not caused by smoking but it is a small proportion.
I am aware that not all primary lung cancers are caused by smoking tobacco, in particular I am aware of mesothelioma - especially its prevalence in my local area where a lot of people used to be employed in the railway industry and have, sadly, contracted this disease (which can affect various parts of the body) as a result of working in an environment with carcinogenic materials. However, as per the link kindly posted by Taz2 "Around 89% of lung cancers in the UK are linked to lifestyle: 91% in males and 87% in females. The majority of these cases were caused by smoking".
Best wishes to everyone awaiting tests and results.
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He receives treatment from the charity Combat Stress in Scotland set up after the 1st world war they are amazing and so good to the men and women so if you see them out collecting anywhere please donate a little not many people know about them but they do have a web site if you want to look. I will take a list of questions and am not really worried as he will be with me think its just a cyst as I had 1 before but will deal with it at the time no point getting worked up.
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Combat Stress is a good idea and supportive of people requiring extra assistance.
Glad you are less worried ;)
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Hi Leony - just to wish you all the best for your appointment on Monday. Hope you're able to have a good weekend in the meantime.
P.S. re: Combat Stress - great charity. Have been aware of them for a while (I'm ex-military myself). A friend who died of wounds sustained in Afghanistan in 2011 had it as his chosen charity "should the worst happen" so a good amount was collected at his funeral and several of his friends have raised cash since by way of sponsored events in his memory. Good to hear that they are supporting your husband.
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Thanks everyone for your support went today Doctor took 3 biopsies have to return next week to get results Hubby was with me went for coffee after and wander round shops. Was tired when I came home so fell asleep just have to wait until next week now not going to worry already have enough grey hair.
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Best wishes for your appt next week, hopefully hubby or someone will be able to go with you.
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Hi Leony
My thoughts are with you.Let us know how you get on next week.
W
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Went for second biopsy today this was done under x ray and was much deeper don't know what that meant but didn't hurt at all as given loads of local anastheatic sorry about spelling, sounded just like a dentists drill and when they put the saline in to wash it out felt really funny, have to go back to get the results on the 1st Sep. Still not really worried as the Doctor said she thought it was nothing as couldn't feel anything they just wanted to double check.
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X-ray control is often used for deep tissue investigation.
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Thanks for the update, Leony. Fingers crossed for a good result when you go back on 1 Sept.
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Thanks for the replies and good wishes said they couldn't go any deeper when I asked why not told they would come out the other side felt quite sorry for them shows how little i have I just laughed made me a lovely cup of tea after and a packet of biscuits.
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Tea and biscuits sounds good :)
I heard today that my latest mammogram was all OK - phew! So I hope my good fortune today is a precursor to a good result for you too on 1 Sept.
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Well ladies got my results today all is well not malignant just scar tissue which they removed on the last appointment so have to go back in 3 years time. Put a marker in so the next time I go they will check that area as it stays in "feels weird" still really pleased its nothing glad your mammogram was was ok tiger74 good news all round.
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Tiger and Leony
So happy for you both.
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Pleased for you Leony - what a relief.
Thank you for your kind thoughts people.