Getting a Diagnostic Mammogram After First Screening

Mimi2700

Hello, everyone.

I’ve been perusing this site for almost four weeks now and it’s been a real comfort. I’m 48 and had my first mammogram screening on 8/20 (in 2009 I had a squishy lump checked out for a diagnostic mammogram and US and it was just fatty tissue). I was naive thinking that self-checking my breasts regularly was enough and was in no rush for my first mammogram. I’m trying not to beat myself up about it.

I got my results that Friday evening through my patient portal and had no idea what any of it meant and therefore googled. And then promptly freaked out! I sweated it out during the weekend then called the dr on Monday and the earliest they could get me in was 9/21 which feels like a long time to wait for answers regarding my health.

After reading some posts on this site though, I realized recalls are very common, especially for first-time screeners and the odds are in my favor. And for the last few weeks I was able to keep calm and maintain my serenity.

However, now that I’m getting close to my appointment, my health anxiety is kicking in big time. I’ve realized a lot of my anxiety is from past, unrelated health scares. Also, one of my best friends was just diagnosed with BC. Thankfully, her prognosis is really good and I’m so grateful but it’s shaken me.

I’ve pasted my mammogram results below and it’s very vague—much vaguer than other mammogram screening reports that I’ve seen posted on this site.

MAM TOMOSYN SCREENING BILATERAL

DIGITAL 2D AND TOMOSYNTHESIS MAMMOGRAPHY

HISTORY:

Screening exam. No personal or family history of breast cancer.

COMPARISON:

Report only from 2009; images have been purged.

BREAST DENSITY:

The breasts are heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses.

FINDINGS:

Right breast: There are calcifications in the upper outer quadrant.

Left breast: Focal asymmetry in the lower inner quadrant.

ASSESSMENT:

Right breast: BI-RADS 0 - Incomplete, Need Additional Imaging

Evaluation

Left breast: BI-RADS 0 - Incomplete, Need Additional Imaging

Evaluation

RECOMMENDATION:

Right breast: Additional views are recommended.

Left breast: Additional views and ultrasound are recommended.

Anyway, I just wanted to reach out and tell people who understand this process my feelings right now—which are pretty overwhelming and scary. I have 14 and 9 year old children and I can’t stop thinking about them—it’s all I can think about, really. My husband has been great and I’ve told a few friends who’ve (wisely) told me not to dwell on the ‘what ifs’ and I’m trying.

All that said, I’m very grateful to have found this site and I’m so blown away by the kindness and support I’ve seen. Thank you and hugs to you.

MountainMia

Yep, so sorry you are here with your concerns, Mimi. First, you're right, the radiologist doesn't have previous screens to compare to. Which is NOT something to beat yourself up for!!! Even experts are in disagreement as to the "right" age to begin mammograms!! But lack of priors just means they have less information. That really is what Birads-0 means -- they need more information.

Second, a focal asymmetry can be simple because of positioning. They need another look because the scan isn't clear. You might have tissue overlapped on tissue. So that's not scary, in and of itself.

Third, calcifications are a good thing to note, but they also are not necessarily a sign of bad things. The pattern of them is part of what is considered.

Fourth, your breasts are dense. That makes it harder to see things with a mammogram, so they are doing the right thing to take another look.

Your friends are right. The radiologists are not the only ones without enough information. You don't have it, either! So what-ifs are just taking up mental space. You don't control it, either way. Accept that you don't know. You will soon. Then, IF there are actually problems, you will need the mental and physical energy to deal with them. Until then, take a deep breath and focus on the fun you can find in each day.

Please let us know what you find out.

Mimi2700

Thank you, MountainMia! You’re right. I have no idea what’s going on along with the radiologist. I’m hoping (and dreading) for some clarity soon. Thank you for the support. It means a lot!

Mimi2700

Just an update: BIRADS 3! For those curious, the focal asymmetry was a 17mm oval fibroadenoma, kind of flat. The calcifications were punctuate and loosely grouped microcalcifications. The tech took multiple mammogram images. Then the radiologist wanted to do an ultrasound on both breasts even though initially it was only for the asymmetry. I kind of freaked out internally because I thought that was a bad sign but when the radiologist came in, she said the ultrasound just clarifies what she thinks everything is in the mammogram. Will go back again in 6 months.

She also mentioned my age (48) is the time that the breasts change a lot which I found interesting.

Anyway, I wanted to give an update for those who were in the same position I was in. Maybe add clarity to a stressful situation.

Also, thank you, MountainMia, for your support and kindness. It really meant a lot to me and I can’t thank you enough. Hugs to you and everyone. Also, if anyone wants to PM to just talk/vent, I’m here.