Call back after your first 3d mammogram?

Anonymous

Call back after your first 3d mammogram?

WindRN

I had my first 3d mammo this past Friday and got a call the following Monday that they want me to come in for a diagnostic mammo and possible US. I know that the 3d mammo is more accurate and I am making myself sick. My appointment is 8 days from now and I was only told there was a "suspicious area" they want to look at more closely. I have called my gyn to ask for more clarification but I haven't heard back. I have dense breast tissue.

Did this happen to you and what was the outcome? Is this typical for women who have dense breast tissue to get a call back after their first 3d mammo? I would really appreciate your feedback/opinions. I'm trying to stay positive, but I can't stop thinking about it.

Thank you.

Jennifer522

Its very common to get called back on your first mammogram! And ultrasounds are best for dense breasts. I was told mammograms on dense breasts is like trying to find a snowflake in a snowstorm. Ultrasounds need to become standard of care.

I got called back for my right breast twice! Never had cancer in my right! I went on 8 years after first mammogram,to get cancer in the left.

Egads007

Hi Wind, VERY VERY common! I just went through the same as you (I’m dense too..in more ways than one lol) Mine turned out to be a simple fold of skin because if the way I was positioned during my screening mammogram. Please keep in mind that upwards of 40% are called back and the vast majority turn out benign causes. Dense breasts also have far more call backs as it’s harder for the rad to read. They have to clear anything out of the ordinary (which is a good thing!) A call back (as I’ve come to learn) isn’t a reason to get freaked out...although I do understand how upsetting it can be. Once you talk to your doctor try to get a copy of your report and post it to member DJmammo’s ‘Interpreting your Report’ thread here in the boards. DJMammo is a board certified Radiologist and is amazing at putting reports into plain language for us. Hang in there, And keep in mind that 80% of findings are benign! You have this whole community behind you, try to breathe easy! Hugs!

WindRN

Thank you so much for your replies! I will post my report to DJmammo's once I receive it.

It's been 4 years since my last mammogram, I am ashamed to say. Time got away from me. I just assumed everything was fine. I will never make assumptions regarding my health again.

In the meantime, I will try to heed your words of wisdom to calm me down (although I wish I had some Xanax for the next couple of days!)

All the best to both of you!

Egads007

Wind - Never feel shame about not getting your mammogram, there are those who have waited longer than you, and some that completely avoid it altogether. Unfortunately that’s a very common event too. It doesn’t mean that people ‘had it coming’ or were playing a fools game with their health. There are many understandable reasons for not getting regular screenings, from busy lives to overwhelming anxiety. I think what we should concentrate on is moving forward, facing the fear or making time for ourselves. Regular screening is essential and thankfully that fact has become more and more apparent as something we all need to do. Feeling shame Isn’t necessary and I don’t think there is one member here that would judge you as shameful for your four year gap. I was 3 years between screenings when I was diagnosed. My cancer would have a shown up anyway, the ONLYshame is that I would have caught it earlier. Like you I assumed all was good...life lesson, so now I’m on top it. No shame felt, there’s too many other things for me to be ashamed of...like the pile of laundry I’ve been avoiding for the last 2 days lol!

WindRN

Egads007 or Jennifer,

I was just wondering, at the time of your call back, did you have any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, like dimpling, asymmetry, swollen lymph nodes, etc?

Thanks, I appreciate any advice you feel like giving.

Egads007

Wind - My recent call back for a diagnostic mammo came from my yearly screening mammo. Nope, nothing at all, my breasts felt fine and lump free. When I got the call (less than 24 hours later) telling me I had a Focal Asymmetry, talk about shock! It's so easy to let the mind drift to the dark side after these calls. I've learnt my lesson and now try assume the best....as most of the time it is. Call back numbers are huge. Are you having any of the symptoms you mentioned above?

Edited to say: Just to clairify: My cancer happened 4.5 years ago, discovered lump myself and went for imaging......my call back was last month, no symptoms.

WindRN

Thanks for sharing, Egads007. Like you, I have no signs at all. The call back really took me by surprise and like you said to a dark place. Do you have a strong family history of breast cancer. No one on either side of my family had breast cancer, except my mom had a pre-cancerous small tumor removed when she was 80. There are other cancers on my moms side.

Glad to hear your call back was negative.

Egads007

Hi Wind, two of my maternal great aunts died of breast cancer and my mother recently had califications biopsied...benign. A number of relatives on my fathers side died of various cancers, but none of breast cancer that I know of. Oh yeah the call back is shocking. I felt better after finding out the high percentage of call backs that happen from screening mammos, and the high percentage of benign findings resulted from those call backs. Throw those facts at the dark thoughts when they come your way

WindRN

Egads007, your words of encouragement have helped calm me down. I will find out soon enough what will be and I will just have to deal with it. Thanks for being there and talking me through it.

WindRN

For anybody that is interested or who is having a similar experience I just wanted to give an update. I went in for my diagnostic mammogram. Afterwards, I was told that the lead mammographer would come give me the results from the radiologist. Instead, an US tech came to tell me that the radiologist wanted me to have an US as well. I was petrified and waiting for the US results was agonizing but the US tech came back and said that the radiologist concluded that the dense area was normal tissue and for me to come back in a year for another 3d mammo.

After being told I needed a US as well, I thought the worst but as you can see from this experience, all can turn out well. I hope this helps you get through your experience with a little less stress.

Egads007

WindRN - atta’ girl!! WOOT! I’m so happy and relieved for you! And yes..good results are much more likely than not! I hope your celebrating tonight!

KellyGreenMe

congrats on the great news Wind!!!

WindRN

Thanks Egads007 and KellyGreen, best wishes for both of you !