Scared, nervous, can anyone help? First mammo

Hashtaghappymom

Hi! I had my first screening mammogram yesterday. I am scheduled now for a diagnostic mammogram on the 31st. My report for the screening mammogram is posted below. I have been able to do a little research and found quite a bit of information on asymmetries, specifically global, focal, and developing. However my report uses the term "nodular asymmetry" multiple times and I have not been able to figure out if this is the same as a Focal asymmetry or if it is referring to something else. I am hoping that it is a good thing that a mass was not confirmed at this point and no calcifications were seen. However, my son is at school today for the first time since Covid began in March, and my house is quiet, and I am starting to get quite nervous. If anybody has any relevant experiences to share regarding my mammogram report I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Bilateral digital mammography with tomosynthesis and CAD

Clinical Indication: Baseline screening

Digital mammography was performed with tomosynthesis, and each breast

was also imaged in the usual CC and MLO projections. Reconstructed C

Views are also provided. Images were evaluated with CAD technology.

Scattered fibroglandular densities are present. Several areas of nodular

asymmetry are seen in the lateral right breast in the CC projection,

probably in the upper outer quadrant. There is also a subtle area of

nodular asymmetry in the left breast at 3:00 at the posterior depth.

There are no calcifications suspicious for malignancy. No abnormal lymph

nodes are viewed. There are no prior studies for comparison.

IMPRESSION:

Areas of nodular asymmetry in both breasts. Bilateral

diagnostic mammogram is recommended. This should include spot CC view

and full 90 degree lateral view right breast, without and with

tomosynthesis, and spot compression CC and spot compression MLO views

left breast without and with tomosynthesis.

Breast density: Scattered fibroglandular

BI-RADS category 0-incomplete. Needs additional imaging evaluation.

Patient will be contacted with results. The patient's information will

be entered into an automatic reminder system with a target due date for

the next mammogram when evaluation is complete.

MinusTwo

Many, many people are called back for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. You didn't list your age, but because the report says no prior studies for comparison - maybe this is your first time? Try not to borrow trouble.

I would focus on this - quoted from your report: "There are no calcifications suspicious for malignancy. No abnormal lymphnodes are viewed"

MelissaDallas

“If your mammogram report talks about asymmetry or if you need a follow-up study due to asymmetry, there's no need to worry. You may simply have more tissue in one breast than another (global asymmetry), or in one spot (focal nodular asymmetry). By using additional mammogram images, comparing prior studies to current ones, or by using different modalities like ultrasound, a radiologist can usually determine the cause of the finding. If you have questions about your breasts or your breast imaging reports, don't hesitate to ask. Knowledge and following screening guidelines are the keys to healthy breasts!

https://www.dic-kc.com/2016/asymmetric-on-your-mammogram-report/

Beesie

The fact that both breasts show similar nodular asymmetry is good because this suggests that what is showing up might be the normal structure of your breast tissue. Because you have no previous imaging, a closer look is necessary. But most often, the closer look shows nothing of concern. Hopefully that's the case for you.

The following chart shows the diagnostic process. You are right at the start, one of the 10% getting a diagnostic work-up. From there, only 5% are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Gina79

Hi, my mammogram results are similar to yours except mine are only focusing on my left breast. I'm also real nervous as I have another mammogram and an ultrasound on the 27th. I did have a mammogram back in 2016 for pain i was having on the left breast and the findings were cyst. I am 40 yrs and had my mammogram on Thursday and my finds were "focal parenchymal nodular asymmetry in the medial left breast at approximately 9 o'clock position". They did have images to compare mine. The findings sound scary but hopefully everything will be ok...

Gina79

Melissa Dallas, your response to the original post helped me with questions I had, it makes me feel less worried. As I wrote that my findings were similar to hers, and I could not find any information that would explain what I was looking for. And the attachment you included was a perfect explanation!!

Gina79

I'm updating in case someone has the same findings as I did and maybe my information will help them. I went today for my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound and all it was, was benign cyst that grew larger!!

Beesie

Gina, that's great news! Thanks for coming back and letting us know,

Gina79

You welcome Beesie!!!

MinusTwo

Thank you for posting your results. Too many people never come back & new member are left wondering. Congrats.

Gina79

Thank you MinusTwo, I'm one of those members that was left wondering. I found a few post on what I was looking for but the majority didnt not post their updates.. and honestly I didnt want to be that way!!

Super66

there are many things that occur in breasts that are non-cancerous. In my twenties I had a golf ball sized lump. You can imagine my fears. It was a fibroid tumor which of course is non-cancerous. I knew it was there for a while and in my twenties I just was in total denial. It was in the left breast. In my late forties I had her2neg cancer x2 in the right. I was completely unaware and the only symptom I had was that I was extremely cold and could Notget warm. So it is absolutely Important to be in touch with our bodies. You have done all the right things. Keep it up.

Moderators

Dear Super66,

Welcome to the BCO community and thank you for sharing your story with our members. We hope that you will stay connected here and benefit from the support and information that our community provides. Let us know if we can be of help as you navigate your way around the boards.

The Mods

Cleo82

Wishing you all the best.

I’m new here, I had a mamo and ultrasound on my right breast as I felt a lump. The mamo didn’t show anything, the ultrasound found a Hypoechoic Nodule with posterior shadow. I’m getting a biopsy at the end of the week. Since last night my armpit is very tender, which has me slightly nervous. Guess I’m looking if anyone has had a similar experience to mine.
Thank you and sending love and best wishes to all

Hashtaghappymom

hi all! I am the original poster of this thread. I had my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound today that were scheduled after I received the results listed in the original post.

First we started with the diagnostic mammogram. I was disappointed as I was assigned the same tech that did my screening mammogram. I found her cold and hardened and unpleasant. She took the diagnostic images and then had me sit back in the secondary waiting room and told me to wait and leave my robe on. About 15 minutes later she returned and announced to the waiting room loudly (there were three or four others there) that I would need an ultrasound. She did not give any additional Information and told me “I would find out about what was on the diagnostic images she just took later." At this point I was extremely anxious and near tears. About ten minutes later the sweetest ultrasound sonographer called me out of the waiting room and was an angel. I shared with her how anxious I was and she reassured me that at this point she was just getting to know the tissue in my breasts and not to worry. We did the US and she spoke to the doctor after.....the ultrasound tech then returned to the room and let me know I was good to go and would just need to return next year no problems found. I will be on the lookout for the reports once they are released to me. Side note: I have over the past few years lost 130 pounds through Weightwatchers. I was told this very well could have affected the density in my breasts and been part of the reason I was callbacked. Just wanted to update and thank all who chimed in on my post. Wshing each of you wellness. Wanted to make sure anybody who searches “Nodular Asymmetry" knows that my diagnostic and ultrasound revealed this is my normal. God bless.

Beesie

Hashtaghappymom, thanks for coming back to let us know your results.

Your experience - the whole waiting in the hall to hear the next steps - sounds a lot like the breast screening/diagnostic centers I've been to. They all follow that some routine.

Great news that everything looks fine and you are good to go for another year! Congrats!

beach2beach

Glad to hear it all came back well. Now with having a full baseline mammo/sono under your belt, hopefully next year will be less stressful for you.