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humorist-workshop
mamagram
My wife has had a mamagram for the first time
on the 09/04/2008.
got her results back,it said she as to go back for more test,i am very worried, so is she.
petepatty
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familyfirst has excellent advice to your question and I would just like to add that sometimes women's breast are really dense, so it can be hard for the mamogram to see through it. Again, don't anticipate the worst.
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Any time there is mention of an "abnormal screening" it can cause a great deal of worry. My family has a strong history of breast cancer though I have never personally had any scares. I can only imagine how you and your wife must be feeling right now.
What I CAN do is try to help you feel a little better about the "call back". I did a little research on the issue for you. Here are some of the facts I found from cancer websites:
"There is no reason to panic if you are called back for more tests. About 1 in 20 women (5%) are called back but only 1 in 8 of these will turn out to have cancer. That's only about 7 out of every 1,000 women having breast screening. So out of every 8 women called back, 7 will be fine. These women will have had some unnecessary anxiety. But the doctors have to err on the safe side otherwise they would increase the risk of missing cancers."
The other thing is, especially since it sounds as if she is doing everything early, should there be something that does not seem quite right, when breast cancer is caught early... it is almost always "cureable". The lump itself can be removed, worst case scenario a mastectomy (complete breast removal).
The important thing for you and your wife right now is to ask as MANY questions as you need to feel complete. If the two of you are sitting together in the evening playing the "what-if?" game, you need to discuss these worries with her physician. You should't do that to yourselves. Our health is important to us but fear of the unknown can cause other problems.
I want to point out something to you personally... Given you have gone to an advice column about this you are coming across as a very caring, concerned husband so this likely does NOT apply to you. However, it is important to accept whatever emotion she is feeling and not downplay it. Try to avoid using comments if she is having a break down such as "everything will be okay... don't worry... I am sure it is no big deal." It is better to say things such as "I know you are frightened. I will be here for you through whatever happens. I love you and I am scared too." This opens the door for her to continue open communication with you. When one person is scared and everyone keeps saying "it will all be okay", it is difficult for the scared person to feel a connection with people. Be open with her about the fact that you are upset too and you can be supportive to each other.
I wish you the best of luck with this. Try to remain positive. Keep up on anything the doctors suggest. Medicine has come a long way. Hopefully the extra tests will just be precautionary.
Good luck.
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