Dr Wants More Mammogram Films

[Skylark]

I had my first screening mammogram a couple weeks ago. Didn't think anything of it. Yesterday I got a call out of the blue to schedule more films and an ultrasound.

Dr's office didn't even call me to tell me there was an issue. I got on the phone and called them. A nurse called back, said there was no info in my chart, only the order for more films. She couldn't tell me anything else. I didn't get to talk to the Dr.

Now I'm scared half to death. Is it normal to go for more tests after a first mammogram so they know how things look? Has anyone else had this happen and it turned out to be nothing? I keep trying not to cry here at work from fear. The appointment is Monday and I don't know how I'm going to make it through the weekend.

[mushroom]

I had my first screening mammogram a couple weeks ago. Didn't think anything of it. Yesterday I got a call out of the blue to schedule more films and an ultrasound.

Dr's office didn't even call me to tell me there was an issue. I got on the phone and called them. A nurse called back, said there was no info in my chart, only the order for more films. She couldn't tell me anything else. I didn't get to talk to the Dr.

Now I'm scared half to death. Is it normal to go for more tests after a first mammogram so they know how things look? Has anyone else had this happen and it turned out to be nothing? I keep trying not to cry here at work from fear. The appointment is Monday and I don't know how I'm going to make it through the weekend.

I'm so sorry you're scared half to death by this. They really don't know what dread these calls place in our hearts. It is not unusual to request follow-up fillms - I always used to expect them because I have very fibrocystic breasts and they could never visualize things properly or did not know what they were seeing. Most often it is nothing at all to worry about. I have had oodles of follow-up films, ultrasounds, biopsies, and still have both intact boobs . And I have a very strong family history of breast cancer to boot - grandmother, mother, two sisters. So while I know it is alarming, do try not to be too alarmed because it will most likely turn out to be nothing to worry about. But they do want to make sure, which is good

[ksymonds84]

This happened to me last year. For me it was that they needed to compress a little tighter on one side to see better. It was all good. It did scare me to death though. Like you they also waited a couple weeks to inform me that I needed to come back in for more images. The one thing they told me which may help you is that they don't wait two weeks if they see something suspicious, they haul you in that same day of your mammogram if they see something that could be serious. Will be thinking of you!

[jerseyangel]

This happened to me too. I had to go back and have another film of the right side--they needed a clearer look because I had very dense breast tissue. Everything was fine, thank goodness, but I had the same sheer panic as you do now when I got the call. The nurse the day I went back told me that this happens sometimes.

(((hug))) take a deep breath

[Roda]

It's hard not to think the worst. There are alot of reasons for follow up films. Women who have dense breast tissue are harder to see things on a mammogram. Tissue can be superimposed and can give the appearance of something abnormal. Other benign findings can be cysts, fibroadenomas and benign calcifications just to name a few. The ultrasound will help tell them if the area is fluid filled or solid and can help identify if the borders are irregular or smooth. Alot of the time they either need to do additional views to see if it is superimposed tissue or can do magnification views to see something better. In the breast center I worked at the radiologist would always come in and review the extra images with the patient and tell them what they saw before they left. I'm not sure that is how your center works or not.

[Skylark]

Thanks so much everyone. It helps a LOT to know that this is a normal process. Also helps to know that they would have hauled me right back if they saw something bad and not just a little unclear.

I'm new to the screening and I have a friend who had breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy last year so it's fresh in my mind. I'm er... well endowed... so I guess it's no surprise they couldn't visualize everything perfectly the first time round.

[Darn210]

I've had to do this too . . . sometimes immediately if the radiologist is there and sees them before I've left. Last year I got called back in the same week. I've had additional films and ultrasounds done.

I also have dense fibrocystic breasts. I tell the rad tech that I'm dense (*cough*)and to squeeze 'em good so I don't have to come back . . . that has actuall helped . . . I also asked the tech if women with fibrocystic breasts are at a higher risk for breast cancer. She said no, but they are MUCH more likely to be called back for second looks.

[Skylark]

Thanks, Janet

I got another call from the center confirming my appointment and they actually said something about dense tissue. I guess they just couldn't see everything.

You gals have been so helpful. I'm not worried any more, which is a great change from this morning. It's so nice to have a community of kind, supportive people to turn to!

[jerseyangel]

I'm not worried any more, which is a great change from this morning.

The first thing I thought when I read your post yesterday was--jeesh, why do these things always seem to happen on a Friday! I'm glad you won't have to be anxious about it all weekend.

[kareng]

Thanks, Janet

I got another call from the center confirming my appointment and they actually said something about dense tissue. I guess they just couldn't see everything.

You gals have been so helpful. I'm not worried any more, which is a great change from this morning. It's so nice to have a community of kind, supportive people to turn to!

Many years ago, I used to read the mammogram reports to see if they found anything to put on the billing as a diagnosis for the people who needed repeat or extra x-rays & thus more charges. Most of them had dense tissue that required some extra angles and shots but nothing found. Since this was your first, they didn't have anything to compare it to. Next year should go smoother as they will know what is normal for you.

[ravenwoodglass]

Yea I had this happen to me too and as you have seen from the other responses it is not unusual. I have had a couple times when they would send me straight in for an ultrasound after making me sit until the mammo was read. Try not to worry about it.

[Juliebove]

I had the dense tissue too. Needed a 2nd one. But no problem in the end.