3D callback

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Pennylee1958
Pennylee1958 Member Posts: 3
edited December 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I had my annual 3-D mammogram on Monday. Got a callback to come back for more tests. I am so worried I can’t even sleep. The impression that was listed on the report says Asymmetry/mass. There are two areas of concern.


I have had 3-D mammograms for five years and this is the first time I have had an abnormal one


I am hoping someone else has had this with a good outcome. They have me scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram with possible ultrasound.

Between COVID and this I am a wreck.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2020

    Pennylee - We are sorry that you find yourself here and worried about your breast changes but we are so glad that you reached out. Other members will be able to tell you about their own experiences soon. In the meantime, our main site has useful information that may reassure you, in the article What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas, where you'll learn more about some of the benign results that can come from testing.

    Hope this helps! Please keep us posted on further tests and results!

    The Mods

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    Hi Pennylee! Understandably this is worrisome and upsetting to you. At the same time callbacks are actually very common. The vast majority of these come back either no worries, or a benign condition and/or possibly just something to watch to make sure there is no change. Even if you're sent on for biopsy the vast majority of those come back benign. Of course someone falls in those very small percentages where there is a real issue (DCIS or invasive cancer). I hope that is not you.

    Meanwhile Monday is just days away while it I'm sure feels like two months at this point. Do what you can to relax, enjoy your time even while this will be on your mind. It's just important to do what you can to distract as best you can. Sleep issues add to all kinds of difficulties related to emotional intensity, coping, energy, etc. It drains our reserves. Maybe contact your PCP about what a safe dose, if any, of Melatonin would be ok for you the next several nights. Let them know you're having trouble sleeping. Important then you're doing some deep breathing (see YouTube or yoga videos if you're not familiar with diaphragmatic breathing), take walks or do some other kind of exercise, mindful stretching are really important during times like this. there are exercise forums and related threads on this site if you need some ideas.

    Please check back in once you get results. I don't know where you're from though around here if it's a diagnostic you meet with the radiologist right after the testing....

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited December 2020

    Pennylee,

    As Livinlife said, call backs are very common. And asymmetry is one of the most common reasons for a call back. It just means that one area of the breast tissue looks different. Often that is caused by how the breast tissue was squished in the mammogram machine, and in fact there is nothing there at all.

    But even if a mass is causing the asymmetry, that doesn't mean it's serious or harmful. A simple benign cyst could displace the breast tissue in a way that causes the appearance of asymmetry. That was the case very recently with someone else who came to this board with asymmetry (and there are often several people a week who arrive here with this concern; asymmetry is that common).

    Your callback will start with a diagnostic mammogram, which will take another look at the areas of concern. If there appears to be a lump, then an ultrasound will be helpful because an ultrasound may be able to identify characteristics that tell the Radiologist what the lump might be. For example, cysts are fluid-filled, and ultrasounds clearly show this. If you have a mass or asymmetry that can't be clearly identified as being benign, then the next step is a biopsy - but what's important to know is that approx. 75% of biopsies turn out to be benign. It's all part of the diagnostic process. And most of the time - 90%-95% - the diagnostic process after a mammogram callback does not result in a diagnosis of cancer.

    When is your callback?

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  • Pennylee1958
    Pennylee1958 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2020

    Hello and thank you for your kind words. I go back tomorrow for another mammogram and they schedule a US if needed. I just hope I can get through the night.



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  • Pennylee1958
    Pennylee1958 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2020

    I just wanted to give an update. First of all thank you for everyone who posted to me. It was a very stressful time for me. I went back to today for a diagnostic mammogram today and everything turned out fine. It appears those two spots they saw on the 3D mammogram have been there for quite some time. (Since 2008). No need for further tests and was just told to return in one year for my annual. Thank you again.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited December 2020

    That's great! Thanks so much for letting us know. Good news is always appreciated!

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    Ditto to Beesie's reply! Always great to hear back and about good news!

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