Breast cancer and uterine cancer

Do try not to worry at this stage, Ronamy. Easier said than done, I know! I was the same as you, got a recall last month after a routine mammogram. It had never happened before and I was utterly terrified, as I'd only finished treatment in October.  I hardly slept for three nights until I had another mammogram and ultrasound and all was fine. Apparently, sometimes the mammogram image is unclear or, as in my case, the density of breast cells can change as we age, so it looks a bit different, but this is completely harmless. Try to think positive and distract yourself until you have the repeat mammogram and ultrasound. Do keep me posted. Big hugs. Gillxxx

Thanks for the reassurance and I know logically it’s too early to know what will happen, but that wasn’t really helping at 2am this morning...... My appointment is on Monday, this freaked me out as well, why were they wanting to see me so quickly..... again stupid as they probably see everyone quickly.

Hi Romany,

I know there is a link between breast cancer and ovarian cancer. When my daughter had breast cancer she was advised to have her ovaries out to prevent anything else happening.

My other daughter has been recalled twice after her smear test as they couldn't see clearly. Each time she had to lie in a special chair!!! So, try not to worry until you know something definite.  xxxxx

Ronamy you are not alone! I'm currently waiting for a colonoscopy following a visit to my GP last Friday. Since my op 2 years ago I have had no check ups with my gynaeoncology team as I was Grade 1, Stage 1 and was given an 'open' appointment for 5 years and told to ring if I felt that 'something was wrong' which is often difficult to tell.  As last time I phoned them they sent me to my GP and I got the impression that they aren't too concerned or too busy to worry about the 'worried well' I went straight to him this time and have now been put on the urgent referral route. If all is clear, which I'm sure it will be, he has said he wants me to go back to my gynae team as there is obviously something going on! It is difficult not to worry particularly as the symptoms can be caused by a number of things and the liklihood of the cancer coming back in a different area is minimal but I'll have to cross that bridge if I come to it. I think the lack of check ups also worries me because there is no way of knowing if something is going wrong.

Thanks for the reply. I’ve been doing some research and scarily if you have had one cancer the chance of a second one is reasonably high, no one tells you these things, when you look at risk factors again it is quite scary no one tells you that being overweight,not having. children, being diabetic (for 50 years) all increase your risk. My other half thinks I am worrying unnecessarily but it is hard to put things in perspective when you are the person going through all this.

 I have follow up gynae appointments already booked and my uterine cancer was very early stage so I am surprise that you were not offered the same. I think they put too much on us as patients if they expect us to recognise when something is going wrong. 

I hope everything goes well for you, it is tough being part of this ‘cancer club ‘ 

Ronamy the hospital I was treated at decided that if you only need an op follow-ups are not necessary and offer open 'patient lead' appointments for 5 years instead however it is difficult sometimes to decide if you need to give them a ring or not so I don't tend to bother. My sister-in-law needed chemo and radio after her op so is on 3 monthly check ups for 2 years followed by 6 monthly ones for the next 3 then she will be discharged. My concern is that, although my cancer was the lowest grade and stage, I had LVSI which, according to my CNS when I rang her about it, is nothing to worry about but some of my research tells me differently. Oh the joys and stresses of Dr Google! My risk factors are similar to yours - no children, 60 years of age, overweight and T2 diabetic (although in remission for 7 years). Hope you get on ok

Hi Ronamy,

How did you get on at your appointment on Monday? I've been wondering how you were doing.xxx

I had various tests and saw 2 consultants and thankfully after 2 hours was told nothing to  worry about, at which point to the surprise of the doctor I burst into tears. I was really stressed out and worried and it was such a relief.

Thank you all for your kind messages.

 I am now making plans for the rest of the year, holidays etc which I have been too scared to do up until now.  

I was exactly the same - burst into tears, before hugging the nurse and rather startled Greek radiologist!

I'm so pleased for you. Xxx

Delighted to hear your news. I also had hysterectomy etc after diagnosis, and no further treatment. A pre-surgery scan showed a shadow on my breast which had been investigated 3 years earlier and found to be muscle, and no cause for concern. It was re-investigated as a precaution: clear again. I consider myself to be incredibly lucky, too - and immensely grateful. I cried, too. Don't ever turn a deaf ear to the voice of caution if you are concerned, but don't allow fear to dominate your life. Book your holidays, make your plans, enjoy your future and your family. All the best x