Mammogram callback?

[DanceDisney23]

Hi,

I'm nervous and don't want to scare my people in my life.

I had my first mammogram last week (50 yrs old). No symptoms. I was told that many women get called back for the first mammo, and today it happened to me.

There is one area of a "focal asymmetry" on the right. No calcifications or distortions in either breast. Benign appearing lymph nodes in both axillae. Only scattered areas of fibro glandular density, but not overall dense. I have to go for a diagnostic and possible ultrasound in two weeks.

I'm really frightened. Anyone go through something similar?

This just happened to me in December. I went for the diagnostic and ultrasound. The result was that they don’t know what it is, probably benign, repeat in 6 months.

I just saw my OB and he said not to worry. They are just very conservative and investigate any irregularities. Most are false positives. I hope that is the case for you as well. Good luck!

 

[jo-jo]

To join the nervous club, I had one done today. No results of course, but I’ve had three sisters with breast cancer. I’m hoping I was adopted. Nevermind the fact that I look like my mom…….

 

[VandVsmama]

I was called back after my 2nd mammogram. Was told not to worry despite the fact that the call back involved a biopsy. Couple of days later, was informed it was cancer.

Know this...
IF (and that's a big 'if' at this point) it is the big C, mammograms are meant to catch the cancer early. Mine hadn't spread anywhere yet.

If it is cancer, ask for and insist on genetic testing.

It's been 5 1/2 years since my mastectomy. It was a double because I tested positive for the ATM mutation. And guess what? They did a pathology test on the one that wasn't infected with cancer...that side already had 2 spots that had abnormal precancerous cells. The surgeon said that at some point, those would have turned to the dark side, too.

It's scary. But you'll be ok. I've had no chemo. No radiation. No tamoxifen. Had the surgery on my ODD's 13th birthday. 100% would do it again.

The odds are in your favor that it's not cancer. But even if it WAS cancer, you'd want to know early, wouldn't you? That's why you go for the screening. That's why if the facility or doctor's office you're dealing with doesn't end up letting you know your results promptly, you do NOT assume that everything's normal...you call and make a pest of yourself to find out what the results are. Because if it IS cancer, time is of the essence.

You might have a hard time relaxing until you have an answer. That's normal to feel that way. You're doing the right thing.

 

[japanese maple]

I was called back after my 2nd mammogram. Was told not to worry despite the fact that the call back involved a biopsy. Couple of days later, was informed it was cancer.

Know this...
IF (and that's a big 'if' at this point) it is the big C, mammograms are meant to catch the cancer early. Mine hadn't spread anywhere yet.

If it is cancer, ask for and insist on genetic testing.

It's been 5 1/2 years since my mastectomy. It was a double because I tested positive for the ATM mutation. And guess what? They did a pathology test on the one that wasn't infected with cancer...that side already had 2 spots that had abnormal precancerous cells. The surgeon said that at some point, those would have turned to the dark side, too.

It's scary. But you'll be ok. I've had no chemo. No radiation. No tamoxifen. Had the surgery on my ODD's 13th birthday. 100% would do it again.

The odds are in your favor that it's not cancer. But even if it WAS cancer, you'd want to know early, wouldn't you? That's why you go for the screening. That's why if the facility or doctor's office you're dealing with doesn't end up letting you know your results promptly, you do NOT assume that everything's normal...you call and make a pest of yourself to find out what the results are. Because if it IS cancer, time is of the essence.

You might have a hard time relaxing until you have an answer. That's normal to feel that way. You're doing the right thing.

Thanks.

Myj mind...I'm just afraid it's already far along. It's just one stupid spot, no calcifications or anything but I'm just thinking it's too late.

I'm hoping as it sinks in I will be more calm as the days go by until my tests in two weeks.

 

[DanceDisney23]

Thanks.

Myj mind...I'm just afraid it's already far along. It's just one stupid spot, no calcifications or anything but I'm just thinking it's too late.

I'm hoping as it sinks in I will be more calm as the days go by until my tests in two weeks.

It is hard not to worry. My results also came back as a focal asymmetry, no calcification. I usually google test results to understand them better. That often only makes me worry more, but in this case it helped.

I learned that this particular finding means it is most likely non-cancerous. Only 2% of these diagnoses turn out to be cancer and are usually early stages. So the odds that you have breast cancer that is too far along to treat are incredibly low.

 

[slo]

Hugs to you - it is very scary. You feeling like you do is valid

I’ve had a few callbacks and everything turned out ok. I used to normally get my yearly mammogram in January, but now I go in March. Why? Because it’s after we return from our vacation. My last call back was 2 years ago before our trip. I decided to schedule after we returned home from our vacation and it then weighed very heavily on me the entire trip. So now I just get the mammogram after the trip,

I pray your callback results in you being ok. Please update us after you know one way or the other

 

[japanese maple]

Oh my gosh! They had a cancellation and I go tomorrow morning!!!

At least timeline is moved up as far as if i need a biopsy or anything.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I am early 50s and I've been having annual mammograms since my mid 30s. I am considered higher risk. I've been called back twice. Once, they wanted something 6 months out for comparison and didn't think it was anything major. The other really panicked me because they wanted me in right away... like come in tomorrow at 7:30am for the first appointment of the day. After talking to them, it was just their protocol of staying on top of things vs. letting it drag out for weeks.

I understand your fears though as I have been tested and biopsied for other cancer related concerns. It's perfectly normal to be nervous and on edge until you get the all clear. Nothing anyone can say will really put your mind at ease until you go through the next round and find out those results. So, just do what you can to distract and relax as best as you can. If possible, ask them if they can provide immediate feedback. I know for that second one, the tech told me the radiologist reviews them right away...so I got a verbal confirmation of an all clear that morning before the official one came over from my doctor.

Also reminding me that I really need to call and make my annual appointment.

 

[disneychrista]

I got a call back after my second one, which was very scary. It was for BOTH breasts which I highly unusual. After the diagnostic mammogram which took way more pictures with more compression, the left was deemed normal and the right needed the US. There was a lump in the right that they did biopsy but the results came back fine. They put a marker in the lump so in the future they know it was biopsied.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I got a call back with my second mammogram late last year. Had to wait 4-5 weeks before I could get in for an ultrasound and another mammogram. Turns out, I have a small cyst in one breast. No biopsy completed on it (it wasn't necessary). I was fully prepared for bad news and actually had my mom could with me to the appointment so she could hear what they said. She's a retired RN, so she speaks medical, and I know that it's always good to have a second set of ears at potentially big appointments. Back to annual mammograms

 

[mickeyboat]

The same thing happened to me in 2023 - I was 52 and hadn't had a mammogram since I was 40. Focal asymmetry found, called back for a diagnostic mammogram and possible ultrasound. I freaked out! They did the diagnostic mammogram and they were 99% sure it was a cyst, but did the ultrasound too - and it was a cyst. The 2024 mammogram found nothing and I was told I didn't have to come back for two years.

What made me mad, though, was that although the follow up appointment was called a call back mammogram which would have been covered 100% by my insurance, it was coded as a diagnostic mammogram because they "found something," so it was applied to my deductible. Argh!

Good luck to you, OP. I will keep my fingers crossed that it is nothing.

 

[Snowflakey]

Thinking of you and sending good vibes your way that all will be ok. I started mammograms at age 40. Had my first call back for a biopsy at age 45. Everyone reassured me this is normal and not to worry. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Absolutely no family history.

I am happy to report that it was caught early and I am now TEN YEARS cancer free!!

Please everyone get your mammogram!!!

 

[bluezy]

Oh my gosh! They had a cancellation and I go tomorrow morning!!!

At least timeline is moved up as far as if i need a biopsy or anything.

That's great! You'll be breathing much easier by tomorrow night (assuming they read the test results immediately).

 

[japanese maple]

Thinking of you and sending good vibes your way that all will be ok. I started mammograms at age 40. Had my first call back for a biopsy at age 45. Everyone reassured me this is normal and not to worry. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Absolutely no family history.

I am happy to report that it was caught early and I am now TEN YEARS cancer free!!

Please everyone get your mammogram!!!

Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear that. But happy you are okay now.

I'm preparing for the worst tomorrow and hearing I may need a biopsy.

 

[focusondisney]

I'm preparing for the worst tomorrow and hearing I may need a biopsy.

Sending prayers your way.

 

[japanese maple]

i'm sorry for more questions. Now my letter is available and it says I do not have dense breasts - grade B. Does this make the focal asymmetry more concerning? or still just something they need to check as it's my first mammo? At least they didn't see anything else weird in either breast.

 

[tasha99]

I'm 58 now, and had a call back last June. It did turn out to be cancer, but the mammogram caught it very early. Because it was early and a non aggressive form of cancer, I was able to have the tumor removed surgically, then followed that up with very localized radiation. Usually they irradiate the whole breast for weeks, but I got a special suture during surgery so the radiologist could find the spot easily, and they did 5 sessions only. Last month I ended up having a full hysterectomy because I wasn't menopausal and my oncologist didn't want to prescribe tamoxifen (a hormone blocker that's used for premenopausal women--it can cause uterine cancers, which I already had a risk for). Now I'm supposed to be starting hormone blockers, and I will, but I've waited a week or so because I have a miserable cold and can't deal with a new thing right now. Fwiw, the recovery from both of my surgeries was physically easier than this damn cold (I would think it's covid, but my home tests say no.)

For me, the hardest part has been emotional. Even though I had just a lumpectomy, and I don't really need my lady parts, it is a loss. Plus, menopause hit me like a truck instead of naturally and gradually.

Here's to hoping this is a false alarm. And if it's not, hopefully they caught it early. I know just how you feel with not knowing--that is really hard. Sending prayers your way.

Btw, if it does turn out to be cancer and you are thinking of online support groups, be careful of Facebook. I joined a couple, and they just turned out to be mostly snake oil salesmen. There were more people selling books or Rick Simpson Oil* than people who were looking for a real community.
*RSO is a kind of weed. People like to say it cures cancer, but if marijuana could cure cancer, my hippie dippie state, Oregon, would be nearly cancer free.

 

[Kitty 34]

Good luck on your second screening.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Thinking of you. I hope all goes well tomorrow. I was called back after my first one (I was 40 as my mom had breast cancer so my screenings started earlier). I truly think it was because I went later in the day and wiped my DO off. They did an ultrasound and all was fine, back to just annual screenings. Now, I always schedule my mammogram first thing in the morning. I get out of the shower and put my DO in my bag the night before so I don't automatically put it on after the shower.

On a side note, I am horrible with the official at home breast exams. But I feel when I'm in the shower washing up, I feel as I'm sudsing up the breast area. When my mom had breast cancer, she found it before mammogram, as she felt a lump. Turned out being about the size of a pea, radiation treatment and now 25 years later it has not come back.

If they do send you in for a biopsy, just don't read horror stories online. It might end up being nothing. Or if it is something, and it's caught early, treatment wlll hopefully not be bad to get rid of it.

Take care!

 

[sasywtch]

Hoping everything goes well tomorrow. I've had to have second ones often. The nerves don't get easier. I'm fortunate though that the radiologist reads it immediately before you leave so they let you do another one right after. I had to have a mass removed after they found something, turned out benign but it was intruding?. In my circles, it seems to be common for a call back on your first one as it's the baseline.