Getting a call back after a routine mammogram can be concerning, especially if the phone call was preceded by unusual symptoms. If this happens to you, don’t panic. According to the American Cancer Society, fewer than 1 in 10 women called back for additional mammography testing are diagnosed with cancer.
However, if you are scheduled for more imaging, knowing what to expect can help you understand why you may be called back and how you can prepare for your upcoming visit.
Call-Back Reasons After a Mammogram
If you’ve recently had a mammogram, and your provider’s office called you back for a breast ultrasound, breast MRI, or other additional testing, know that this is a fairly common occurrence. Call-backs after a routine mammogram can happen for a variety of reasons unrelated to breast cancer.
Some reasons for a mammogram results call-back include:
- Dense Breast Tissue – If you’re like many women, you may have dense breasts. Breast tissue is made up of various components, including fibrous tissue, glandular tissue, and ducts. Fibrous tissue and fat give breasts their shape, while glandular tissue is responsible for producing milk. Women with more fibrous or glandular tissue are considered to have dense breasts, which can interfere with reading mammograms.
- Unclear Imaging – Many photos are taken of the breasts during a mammogram. However, not all photos may be clear or may not capture all of the tissue. When this happens, the risk of a missed diagnosis is significantly increased and your provider may want a more accurate reading, prompting a call-back for additional imaging.
- Area of Concern – Sometimes imaging will come back with spots that may not necessarily be cancer-related but are areas of concern. For example, a mammogram may show what appears to be a mass, cyst, or calcification. While many of these areas of concern turn out to be benign, your provider will want to check to make sure that the mass doesn’t need to be removed.
Getting a call-back after a first-time mammogram is more common, as providers have no other imaging to compare the results to, leaving more room for interpretation. Call-backs after imaging are also more common in women who have not yet gone through menopause.
What to Expect If You Need Additional Imaging
If you are called back for additional imaging after a mammogram, your provider may recommend a variety of tests based on your specific needs. The most common types of tests used for this purpose are diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRIs.
Diagnostic mammograms are similar to routine mammograms but are used to look at specific areas of concern in the breast tissue. During the test, your provider will take images of these areas and send them to a radiologist who will interpret them. Special instructions are provided to review the area of concern and determine if the problem is benign or if additional testing is needed.
Breast ultrasounds are often recommended after a call-back when the provider needs to differentiate between potentially cancerous masses and non-cancerous substances, such as cysts. This non-invasive test uses sound waves to generate images that show subtle differences between the two.
Women who are considered high risk for breast cancer may require a breast MRI in addition to a mammogram. MRIs use powerful magnets to generate detailed images of the breasts. When reviewed by a radiologist, these images can often help providers get a more accurate diagnosis.
When mammogram findings are deemed suspicious, your provider may suggest a biopsy to get a closer look at the area of concern. This procedure involves placing a thin needle into the mass to collect samples. The tissue samples are then sent to a laboratory where a pathologist will review them and determine if additional follow-up testing is needed.
Catching Breast Cancer Through Early Detection
One of the best ways to catch breast cancer in its earliest stages is with the proper technology. exam 3D Mammography offers the latest breast cancer screening technology with more accurate results compared to traditional 2D mammograms. When performed by a trusted professional, 3D Mammography the Geniuscan find 20 to 65 percent more invasive breast cancers.
The steps of the procedure are very similar to a traditional mammogram. Your breasts will be positioned in the machine with compression applied to get clear images. During the test, an X-ray arm sweeps over the breast and takes multiple images each second. A technologist will then review the images and a Radiologist will read the mammogram before giving you your results.
Rely on Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness for Your Breast Health
Requiring additional testing after a mammogram is not unusual, but taking the situation seriously is important. If you’re concerned about the outcome of your latest mammogram or have questions about what you can expect at your next appointment, contact our team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness at (919) 525-3959.
Our all-women team offers compassionate care to make you feel comfortable during each visit and confident that your health is in good hands.