Called Back After My Mammogram??

Happens to just about everyone at least once. Can't believe it took them
two weeks to call back. Both times I got the call the next day. Try to relax.
I know easier said than done. Let us know how things go.

Yes, the doctor told me that the tech had done it wrong, but they didn't want the patients to know. It was a precaution. I was obese and she didn't get the whole boob on.

Also, another time, the doctor tole me I had to get a second xray because someone put unfiltered water into the machine and it was cloudy.

I got called back too. Turns out it's very common. The woman I met with said about 94% get called back just because an image wasn't clear enough. They just want to be extra careful. Happy thoughts, Happy thoughts. Don't think the worst.
I know it's hard.

Yes, like many of the other moms who responded, I had a spot that the radiologist didn't like on the mamo. Went back in for the ultrasound and it confirmed that it was just a benign cyst (that eventually went away). If they want more mamo pics, the odds are that the first ones aren't good enough quality for some reason. And if it's for an ultrasound, the odds are still in your favor that it's not cancer. Take a deep breath and get in asap so you don't have too long to worry. Take care.

Yeah...I had a call after a small biopsy; they found abnormal cells. I was freaking out. My daughter was just four months old. It was NOT cancer. That was twelve years ago.

I know it's really scary. I still remember how I felt.

Just tell yourself you are in good hands, because they are on top of things! I am glad they are reading your films so carefully...but remember, there are lots of reasons they might want a second look, including just not a good shot.

Sending you good thoughts...please re-post and let us know how you are doing A..

This happened to my Mother about a year or two ago. We were really worried about her, after she got her call back. But she is fine and everything is good. They called her back to get a better or another look because they saw some abnormal cells which turned out to be nothing at all.

Hang in there, and please dont freak out until there is something verified to freak out about!

Best wishes!

A.:

It happened to me. They couldn't see something clearly - it turned out to be nothing.

Don't panic. Don't stress. You don't know what's going on so you are just creating more stress for yourself...you don't know what to stress over so breathe.

Yes, it happens. Sometimes it's really just because they didn't get enough on that particular picture. Please don't worry about it. According to the machine they use, they sometimes just need a re-do. It has happened to me.

Dawn

Yes it happened to me. I apparently have very fiberous tissue in my breasts and I had to get an ultra sound. Of course they don't tell you that over the phone so it's two days of worry. I wouldn't worry too much, you shouldn't use negatative energy worrying about something that you don't have any control over. Now if they called and said you need to come back in immediately, I'd worry!

yes, mine had little spots all over one that looked like someone sprinkled salt in the "film" (they are digital now, but you get the idea). Often this effect is the start of cancer cells. Luckily, mine turned out to be calcium deposits. Also, my right breast is much more fibrous so they often have to take more photos of the underarm area since it is difficult to get that slanted view correctly for some reason on me. However, now with digital photos, the technician can usually see right away if she needs more views, but then a radiologist reads the photos and those experts sometimes want a little clearer view or different angle on something. The best thing is to keep getting them yearly so there is some track record as to what is normal for you.

Hi A.,

The new digital mammograms turn up a lot of false positives, but they still have to be checked out. As others have said, ultrasound will give a more definitive answer if there's something there. If there IS something to be concerned about, better that you know about it as early as possible, as cure rates for pretty much everything sky-rocket the earlier a problem is caught and treated.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry about it until you actually have something to worry about! Today's Thursday. You have an AWESOME farmer's market/street fair in Oceanside. Go and have a great time. Listen to the music, buy some organic veggies, and I highly recommend getting some Bitchin' Sauce to dip them in (I wish I could get the stuff in L.A.!). Don't think about the return visit until you're there. Stay mellow -- stress can affect all sorts of things in negative ways, so try to zen out a little.

BTW, the mammography center I go to does an immediate read of mammograms before they let you go. I got a false positive read the year before last, which triggered an immediately ultrasound. The US was completely normal.

Last year all my friends and I turned 40 and they all got mammograms, I was breast feeding and then pregnant and still breast feeding so haven't had one. But 3 out of 4 of my friends got called back and it turned out they were just cysts. I bet it is nothing. Try not to worry, although I know it is hard not to do.

Here is the thing. If they are calling you back there is something that they see but do not know what it is. So my guess is 1. it is nothing or 2. if it is something bad it is small enough and early enough that it can be taken care of. Breast cancer is not longer and death sentence. It is very treatable if caught at the right time. My paternal grandma is a 2x 30 and 25 year breast cancer survivor. There are lots. The good news is you are already being proactive and checking on your health. So that right there can help you save your live. On a similar topic I recently had an employee switch doctors. The dr wanted to do a pap but this woman had had one only 6 months ago. Reluctantly (hey its not like its fun) she went. The dr. found a few adhesions and did a biopsy. Guess what? It was the bad news. But also guess what? there were a few spots and they were teeny tiny. So it took an out patient procedure and they got it all. 6 months later NOTHING. The girl got her bill and was a little overwhelmed. But I did tell her that every penny she spent was worth it because now she was cancer free. So I am not going to tell you not to worry because that does not help. But feel confident that if it is bad news there is an excellent chance at making it go away. Best of luck to you!

A.:

They called me back and wanted an ultra sound while I was still there. Talk about stress. Turned out it was nothing. Since you don't know what it is - don't stress. Right now just keep a positive attitude and don't stress....you don't have control over it right now.

Yes, it happened to me and everyone of my close friends. I am not sure of your age but we were all around 40 and had dense breast tissue. Additional views showed we were all fine. BTW I think about 80% of woman that end up having a biopsy have non canerous growths. The odds are in your favor that everything is OK and if you can not feel a lump that is even better:). Best of luck.

This just happened to me last month, they scheduled me for an ultrasound and found a cyst but they just want me to come back in 6 months for another ultrasound. I was very worried too, and alot of people just said "oh it will be ok it's normal" I found that was not helpful! I was very worried too!
It's scary, I don't really have any words of wisdom for you. But I understand your feelings...

My mom gets those calls backs each time because she has "calcified milk glands" that show up on the screening. So it could be that, could be something else...just keep breathing until you go to the follow up and know the answer (and after that, too). Good luck!

Yes, but don't worry. It probably is fine.

Sort of, the place I go to reads them before you leave so they had to have someone else look at it. I would imagine if it hadn't been readable they would have re-squished me on the spot. :(

Apparently they are not always easy to read. I wouldn't worry until they tell you you need to worry.

Been there, done that. Turns out some women have thick breasts, with masses. Be concerned enough to show up for the tests, don't panic yet. They are gathering information right now. One friend told me you can tell a lot from the pace the medical staff is moving at. If they waited 2 weeks for a call back they are treating it as routine. Live life, don't get your self sick with worry, yet use this moment in time as a reminder to check on being prepared. Are you living the life you want to live? Are you taking care of yourself? Do you smoke? Do you eat healthy? Do you exercise? An otherwise healthy body can fight back better than an unhealthy body. Is your will in order? Have you talked with your life partner about what you want for your children? Have you talked about if, God Forbid something should happen, if you would want to be kept alive on life support? Have you said you're sorry to everyone you wanted to? And most importantly have you told your loved ones enough how much you love them? Some of these questions are really hard and yucky, but really, really important to ask yourself. Life as we know it can change in just a blink of an eye. Use this moment as a reminder to Live The Life you want to be. But inside be calm and think positive thoughts. During the tests you have to think positively. Bring a picture of your family with you and visualize good times together. The mind is an amazing health tool, use it.

You will be in my heart.

Updated

Updated

Some of us get called back every single time just because they can't get good pics. It seems like a waste since they should know they can't get good pictures. They always do an ultrasound on me and my friends the second time. I am wondering why they then just don't start with the ultrasound plus thermography instead of the mammograms on those of us with dense tissue.

I had a lump that worried my doctor, but it turned out to be a lypoma, which is basically a deposit of hardened fat. It was nothing to worry about.

I've also had to go back in and redo a Pap smear because it was "abnormal," but have everything check out fine afterward. Doctors tend to be ultra careful; they'd rather scare you than miss something, and that's good.

I always get called back. I was called back on my very first mammogram when I was 35. I always have to get the ultrasound.

3 years ago I had to go in for a biopsy. The ultrasound tech pretty much told me it didn't look like cancer, but of course they had to play it safe. It turned out to be nothing, but I was pretty nervous. We've had one case of breast cancer in the family, so I always worry.

Nearly all of my friends have been called back in at one time or another and most of them have had to go through biopsies too. Every one has been benign so far, thank God.

Best of luck - it will probably turn out to be nothing.