I’m Losing Sleep …

WorriedOutofMind_610

Hello-

I recently had my first mammo (October 12th) as I turned 40 earlier this year. I received a letter that that they want me to come in for additional scans and I am freaking out. I've scheduled my follow-up appointment for this coming Tuesday and I'm in sheer panic mode (My constant googling is not helping at all)

I've posted my report below:

HISTORY:

40 year old female presents for a screening mammogram. The patient has no family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

COMPARISON:

None. This is a baseline examination.

TECHNIQUE:

Mammography Screening Bilateral with Tomosynthesis

FINDINGS:

The breasts are extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography.

Right
There is a focal asymmetry seen in the inner region of the right breast in the posterior depth.

Left
There are no suspicious masses, calcifications, or areas of architectural distortion.

IMPRESSION:

Incomplete evaluation of the right breast

No mammographic evidence of malignancy, left breast

RECOMMENDATION:

Additional imaging is recommended. - Right

A written summary of this mammography report in lay terms was sent to the patient.

Overall BI-RADS category: 0 - Incomplete: Needs Additional Imaging

Evaluation

BREAST TISSUE DENSITY : D - Extremely dense

MountainMia

Okay, totally get your stress. But what this says is "This is her first mammogram so we don't have anything to compare to. She has really dense breasts, and that makes it hard to get a good read. Also we're not sure what we're seeing, because maybe in compression there is a 'wrinkle' of her tissue, so we need to get another look."

"Overall BI-RADS category: 0 - Incomplete: Needs Additional Imaging" means exactly that. We need more images. It does not in any way shape or form say you have cancer.

It's good you'll get the follow-up soon. Until then, please try to find other things to do and think about. Watch a funny movie, go for a walk, talk to someone you love and enjoy, who keeps talking and will distract you.

And then, please let us know what you find out. All the best.

bcincolorado

I know you are worried and glad you are here for support. I have very dense tissues and do the 3D mamo on my non- cancer side all the time and I always end up with an ultrasound as well to be extra safe even where I go. I go to a breast center affiliated our local hospital system and they are great and read it and give me results right then and there. Best wishes to you.

Moderators

You've received great responses. It is not unusual to be called back for additional testing when you have dense breasts. One day at a time. Indeed, distraction can be very helpful. Please keep us all posted.

Rah2464

Worried - yes with extremely dense breast tissue it is difficult to get a decent image certainly with standard mammography. Have a direct dialogue with either your prescribing physician or the radiologist to assess the need for 3D mammography plus ultrasound, or perhaps for an MRI. There is a great resource that addresses this issue check out areyoudense.org