UPDATE in first post--Mammogram experts, what does this mean?

[CanBeGrumpy]

Had the follow-up mammogram today and everything in BENIGN!! YAY!! Wow, though, I didn't know you could squeeze a breast so tightly and not damage it forever!!! I guess once they squished everything, the area of "asymmetric density" looked just like the rest of the breast, and the microcalcifications are benign. So, great news and I hope everyone going through the same thing (mammogram call-back) gets the same news that I did.

Also, thank you to everyone who responded to this thread. You helped me relax and not worry too much. Thanks for your help and support!!


I'm about to turn 39 and I had my first (baseline) mammogram on Friday. I was told that a lot of times you are called back after the baseline test because the doctor doesn't have anything to compare the images to. Well, sure enough, I get a call back. The nurse practitioner read me the report, and I guess the areas of concern are "small group of microcalcifications in both breasts. Area of asymmetric density in left breast".

My left breast has been hurting for a few months, which is why I went for the mammogram in the first place. So the fact that they found something doesn't surprise me, but I was really hoping it would something easily explained. My question is, do these things seem particularly worrisome? The soonest appointment I could get for the "diagnostic" mammogram was September 29, a full MONTH away!! The order is for "magnification views", which for some reason sounded ominous to me. Is that common for a follow-up diagnostic mammogram? Or does it mean the area looked really serious?

I am trying not to freak out because I was warned that I might get a call-back due to it being my first mammogram. I looked up microcalcifications and it seems that they can indicate cancer, but only maybe 20% of the time. I haven't looked up "asymmetric density" yet, because it seems so broad of a description.

So, do any of you know anything about this? Is it really, really common to need a follow-up to your first mammogram? Thanks for any info you can give!

 

[akhenaten]

I can only tell you that I had my baseline mammo taken a couple of months ago and did get a call back.

I can't believe you have to wait so long! I was able to go back a couple of days later and they gave me the results immediately! IT was at a Breast Care center at my local hospital..so it is geared specifically for a womans needs....
They squished me a bit tighter in the breast in ? and it was nothing to worry about...

and lots of good wishes to you.....It will most likey be the same for you but I know it is a worry..........

 

[Christine]

Okay, I'm not an expert but hopefully I can help.

First of all, really *serious* stuff is pretty obvious and if they thought it was bad, you'd be in that day. My hairstylist (who was also 39) got called in the day after her mammogram and they wanted her back right away. She was in with a surgeon the next day and had a mastectomy the following week. Very fast. They knew it was bad right from the mammogram.

Calcifications are somewhat normal. The breast tissue kind of always "sheds" these things. Sometimes the mammogram catches this and sometimes not. So sometimes you have calcifications and sometimes you don't. But there are certain types of breast cancer that cause calcifications of the more permanent kind and that's what they look closely at.

As for asymetric density--you obviously have an area of breast tissue that is denser, possibly more fibrous or "funky." The mammogram can't really tell what it is--just that it probably appears "whiter" on the mammo than the rest of the breast tissue. They will do further (more powerful) views to try to see better. Then if they still aren't satisfied, they may make you have a sonogram of that area.

I know--very annoying. Most likely if you are having pain in that area, you probably have fibrocystic breast disease in that portion of the breast. Since you are still relatively young, the mammogram is harder to read.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Every person's case is unique when an "area of concern" is identified. Check out www.breastcancer.org for more information on breast calcifications. Asymmetric density in the left breast would likely mean it is more dense on one side than on the other. Chances are in your favor it's nothing serious, but if it were to be, it's good that you caught it early.

 

[HOGFAN]

okay I can help.

Assymetry: In a perfect world, the breasts are mirror images of each other.
You have an area on one side that doesnt look like the corresponding area on the other side. lots of people have this, it will probably clear up with extra views. Its just finding out whats normal for you. Its probably just the way God made ya.

Calcifications: the fact that its in both breasts are reassuring. worrisome calcs most often present in one specific area of the breast and have different shapes. I would bet yours are scattered throughout both breasts and are round shaped. we dont really know what causes these. Magnifying them will give the doctor a better idea of their shape and number. I wouldnt panic too much about these either.

If they thought they were really cancer, they would have you in there sooner, trust me.
Remember, mamography is the thing most radiologists get sued over(and the least reimbursed, but thats another topic) and therefore most of the time OVERREAD(self-preservation) I see it everyday.

If you do get sent for biopsy, its my experience that:
of 100 people get called back, 10 may get sent for bx, of that 10 only 2-3 will come back positive.
The odds are in your favor, if you are really worried, try to get on the waiting list OR call around to other facilities to see if you can get in sooner(take your films with you) GOOD LUCK

 

[snappy]

Sounds like Hogfan knows her stuff.

I think everyone gets calcifications as they age, they are just harder to see in younger women whose breast tissue is still on the dense side. The more suspicious calcifications are the ones that smallish, irregular in shape and clustered together.

I would call and "lean" on whoever schedules mammograms. I did this once and they worked me in (I did not even have to wait long). I guess some women don't show up for their mammograms, causing some breaks in the schedule. I think they realize that women become agitated when you get called in for either more views or magnified views.

When I went in for my annual in June EVERYONE was getting called in for more views. The breast center has recently acquired a digital mammography machine, and the radiologist was seeing "stuff" with the new technology that he/she could not see in prior films. So to be cautious everyone got thoroughly checked. That is actually a very good thing, especially when you know the full I story (I found out when comparing notes with other patients in the waiting room).

Good luck.

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I am much more relaxed due to your posts. Hogfan, funny you should mention radiologists getting sued--that's exactly what the nurse-practitioner mentioned when I got the results. She said that radiologists are extra carefule due to possible lawsuits! And Snappy, I did go to a digital mammogram place--I insisted on going there because I feel the digital images are much easier to work with, so maybe like in your case, they call a lot of people back. Thank you Pea-n-me, Christine, and akhenaten for your posts. I really appreciate everyone's information!

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply, it made me feel so much better. I'm still a little anxious, but I am hoping for the best.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If it wouldn't make you feel more nervous, you're welcome to come hang with us at the GAGWTA thread while you're waiting. We've all been through the process, and know how hard the waiting can be. Many of the ladies there have previously dealt with calcifications. Don't read any posts that scare you, just come join in on the last page if you're up for it. The thread was started in part for support when people have scares. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=810357&referrerid=70088

 

[PaulaSue]

I honestly hope it is nothing.

I just went through something similiar a month ago. I needed to get a baseline too (I'm 35), since my mom had cancer at 36 (and her sister and my other GM). They called me to get rechecked a few days later (weekend in between). Long story short they found 2 spots and I had my biospy done a week and half later. Thankfully it is only bengin and the other a lymph node.

It is scary to say the least. Even with my family history and knowing my chances It really freaked me out not knowing what was happening to my body and what was going to happen. Being a mom to 3 small kids who will also have the family history is no fun either.

I hope all is well and PLEASE update when you find out any info.

 

[golfgal]

Ok, slightly off topic but don't you think that men should have to be tested for testicular cancer this same way????

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

Thanks again, ladies! Pea-n-me, I do read the GAGWTA thread sometimes, thank you for the invitation to join in! PaulaSue, thanks for the good wishes and for sharing your story! And Golfgal, I don't think there is a man alive who could survive your suggestion!! Just *hearing* it would probably kill most of them!

 

[Daxx]

Last year, right about this time, I went for my first mamm. (at age 40) and was told I had calcifications. When they showed me on the screen, there were prob. 3 in a triangle type area (each calcification at the point of a triangle). I was told that I could wait 6 mos. and have another mamm. to keep an eye on it or I could opt for stereotactic core needle biopsy.

Well, I am not the type who can let things go for a minute, much less 6 months, so I scheduled the biopsy. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined and found out a week later that the calcifications were not pre-cancerous. I was grateful for that. When they did the surgery, they left a microscopic marker in my breast. When I went for my follow-up mamm. 6 mos. after the biopsy, you could see the tag plain as day.

Now, things still seem to be fine. I've had two subsequent mamms and they tell me things are good. I just wish they'd give me the "Clean" check off instead of the "most likely benign" check off. Even though they tell me everything is great, I get bummed when they hand me the report and it still has the "most likely benign" checked.

Anyway, I am sure things will be fine w/you. As others have stated, they're not rushing you in for more mamms and the best thing is that they found these things early and you are taking the right steps to remedy the situation instead of blowing it off. Go to the GAGWTA Breast Cancer thread. They helped me out a lot when I was going through all of this!!! And, don't read a ton on the internet b/c it'll only frighten you more!!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Hang in there! My regular mammo in Dec came back w/ a letter that said they found an area of 'assymetry and/or calcifications' and I needed further tests. Went back & they squeezed more, looked more, did an ultrasound & said see ya next year. Hopefully you will hear the same...I'll be praying! The wait is horrible!!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm here on the dis all the time, yet i found this thread by googling.... I had my first mammo a few days ago, and I have to go back...I'm terrified! She said, well, you don't have to come in immediately,but pretty soon.... is that a good or bad sign? anyway, I have an appt for tomorrow,I am so scared....

 

[Christine]

I'm here on the dis all the time, yet i found this thread by googling.... I had my first mammo a few days ago, and I have to go back...I'm terrified! She said, well, you don't have to come in immediately,but pretty soon.... is that a good or bad sign? anyway, I have an appt for tomorrow,I am so scared....

If they *know* it is bad, they will get you in right away. Granted, they really don't know 100% for sure if a mammo is bad, somewhat bad, okay, or good. They do their best. I think some cancers have a classic, hallmark look to them on a mammogram and when they see that, they act real fast. The rest of the stuff, they try not to get too alarmed. They saw something funny on one of mine but not sure what they were seeing. They got me in within about 2 weeks. They took more films, still couldn't determine what it was. I ended up having a sonogram at that same visit and they found it to be a solid lump. I ended up having it removed and it was benign.

They didn't "rush" me in, but they were kind of insistent that I get back in and then I still had to have surgery.

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

bumping for update

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

Congratulations on the good news! I know how relieved you must be!!
I got a form letter a little over a week ago that stated my mammogram had findings that indicated additional views and an ultrasound are necessary. There wasn't any other information. I don't know if the findings are dense breast tissue, a tumor, or what. I really think that if you have to go back in for additional tests, you should be told exactly why!
I will go back tomorrow for the tests. This has been one of the longest weeks of my life. My emotions have been like a roller coaster.
Last month my sister got her mammogram and got called back in the next day. The radiologist was there and was able to tell her that she was fine. I can't believe I have had to wait over a week! I haven't eaten one full meal the entire week. The good news is that I have lost over 7 pounds! Wish me luck tomorrow!