Call back on my first mammogram

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Raiven
Raiven Member Posts: 3
edited March 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi,

I'm new here and very stressed that I received a call back due to something showing on my left breast. I could barley hear anything after the lady told me that today. I was able to set up another mammogram, and possible ultrasound tomorrow. I have gotten so worked up that I end up leaving work today due the anxiety. I was told when I go in tomorrow the results will be immediate since the radiologist will be there.

I had the test done on March 12th. Why are they just calling me now?

Can anyone give me a little peace of mind?

Thank

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited March 2016

    Hi Raiven!

    Sorry to hear that you've had your first call-back. They are a normal part of well-woman health care, and you shouldn't worry about it (much). Instead you should be proud that you go and get all of the recommended screenings and that your health care team is careful of your health!

    Like screening procedures we all participate in (pap smears, colonoscopies, mammograms, etc.), the first screen will pick up lots of people who don't really have what it being screened for....your odds of not having breast cancer remain excellent!

    But let me short-circuit that discussion by showing you a chart. This is from the Imaginis site, which has additional info about the breast cancer screening process:

    image

    On the above diagram, note that your goal is to fail to be advanced farther "up" the diagram. Each one is a narrower group of people. Your "something-seen-on-mammogram" was found during a routine screening mammogram, and your doctor has referred you for a diagnostic workup. So you're one step up on the chart right now.

    Of all of those who are sent on to a diagnostic workup (your category!), only 25% are sent on to a biopsy--that is, 75% people "fall out" of the screen at that point. You may be told that you need to return to your routine screening schedule...or that they would like to see you again "sooner" so that can see if "whatever-it-is" is stable.

    Of the 25% who are sent on to biopsy (not your category yet!) 80% will be told their biopsy doesn't show cancer.

    You're early in the screening process. There are at least two distinct layers of screening you'd have to get through before you could even have the possibility of a cancer diagnosis.

    I know it's easy to worry, but really. Try not to borrow trouble that isn't yours yet.

    Hope you fail to advance in the diagnostic process very, very soon!

    LisaAlissa

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  • Raiven
    Raiven Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2016

    Thank you so much LisaAlissa for the detailed information which put my mind at ease a little bit.


    I went in the completed the another mammogram, and than I had to wait to get an ultrasound on my left breast. The person doing the ultra sound said it's nothing to be worried about it because it was a lymph node, and this was considered to be a normal finding. He left to speak with the doctor, who also confirmed the findings. Of course I am thankful that is was nothing serious, but I began to google, and it sent me into another tail spin. Do you have an information on this perhaps? They didn't tell me when I would need to come back and be checked, so I feel like I didn't really didn't know what to ask at the time.
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  • Raiven
    Raiven Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2016

    Kayb,

    Thank you. I am still getting over a cold currently. I really appreciate this board to get answers especially when I didn't know what to expect.

    I have a friend that has breast cancer, and we are remaining hopeful the cancer has spread to her bones, lungs, and liver. She is such a strong woman, and I pray for her daily. I will also be praying for those on this site, because there is nothing like having the support of those with answers, and genuinely care.

    God Bless, and thank you again.

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