Question for the ladies - mammogram callback

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It’s that time of year for me. Had my annual mammogram and automated ultrasound yesterday. Today they called back and said they noticed changes so I have to go back. Of course I’m an now freaking out (I have extreme health anxiety). Who has had this same thing happen and it was fine? I have gained 35 lbs since my last one last January.

 

[mamamary]

Yes it happened to me a few years ago. I had to go back and they used a sonogram on me I believe. Of course I was panicking but the person performing the sonogram said it is very common for them to call people back.

 

[Poohbear538]

It’s that time of year for me. Had my annual mammogram and automated ultrasound yesterday. Today they called back and said they noticed changes so I have to go back. Of course I’m an now freaking out (I have extreme health anxiety). Who has had this same thing happen and it was fine? I have gained 35 lbs since my last one last January.

Hi. I‘m sorry for the stress. I completely understand your panic. I’ve been having mammograms since I was in my 20’s, I’m 47 now, my Mom has had breast cancer 3 times, and my very first one I had to go back for a needle biopsy. Talk about heart stopping. Everything turned out fine, but still. I have dense breasts and they normally have to take extra images when I‘m at my appointment. It happens every time and I get still nervous. I’m going next month for mine, Good luck.

 

[Skippy918]

Yup. Last year, had to go back. I was fine, but completely shocked at the bill.

 

[lifesavacation]

It’s that time of year for me. Had my annual mammogram and automated ultrasound yesterday. Today they called back and said they noticed changes so I have to go back. Of course I’m an now freaking out (I have extreme health anxiety). Who has had this same thing happen and it was fine? I have gained 35 lbs since my last one last January.

I was called back for a diagnostic mammogram with ultrasound last year. They found 2 masses that turned out to be benign cysts.

How soon until your appointment?

This year, I drove 3 hours to a facility that does everything necessary in a single day. So there aren't any callbacks. You can get all testing, including a biopsy. I found the waiting very difficult last year and I didn't want to go through that again.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Bear in mind... I am a stage 2B BC survivor. Almost 4 years now. Anyway MANY people get callbacks. Call backs are NORMAL!!

This year's mammogram no longer matches your baseline mammogram for whatever reason. So they have to call you back. You not only need to know what changed and why but after everything is said and done you also will need a new baseline mammogram moving forward. It is normal to see changes through the years and it's normal to have to need different baseline mammograms.

My baseline mammogram is dated 12/17 now. Prior to that it was 2005. I was diagnosed in 02/17.

There is of course always a chance that it is something but it's a FAR GREATER chance that it really is nothing.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It’s that time of year for me. Had my annual mammogram and automated ultrasound yesterday. Today they called back and said they noticed changes so I have to go back. Of course I’m an now freaking out (I have extreme health anxiety). Who has had this same thing happen and it was fine? I have gained 35 lbs since my last one last January.

Yes, had to go back in for a biopsy. It was "nothing".

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

It’s that time of year for me. Had my annual mammogram and automated ultrasound yesterday. Today they called back and said they noticed changes so I have to go back. Of course I’m an now freaking out (I have extreme health anxiety). Who has had this same thing happen and it was fine? I have gained 35 lbs since my last one last January.

They did that with me, I think it is very common but scary.

 

[kerry1379]

I have only had one mammogram to date so I am fairly new to them. But I was nervous for my first one so the person working with me took some extra time to explain. I recall her also making a special effort afterwards to tell me that if I got a call back to understand that those happen pretty frequently. It is important to mind it, but also understand that it doesn't necessarily mean bad news.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I got a call back on my mammogram in 2014. It was cancer. I was a Stage 1 in situ (nothing in the lymph nodes). I had a mastectomy and am six years cancer free. My call back was not good news, but my mammogram saved my life. I wish you good luck.

 

[Poohbear538]

I got a call back on my mammogram in 2014. It was cancer. I was a Stage 1 in situ (nothing in the lymph nodes). I had a mastectomy and am six years cancer free. My call back was not good news, but my mammogram saved my life. I wish you good luck.

Congratulations on 6 years! I absolutely agree with the mammograms. It’s how my Mom survived all 3 of hers and why I’ve been going since my 20’s.

 

[HeatherC]

I got called back every year for five years. Each time it was nothing, but my breasts are dense and they wanted to be doubly sure on one area deep in the back of the breast. This year I went back at six months after the first call back from my regular appointment and they said now a I can go back to yearly ones. All is nice and clear and ok.

‘Please try not to stress too much. I believe something like 98% of callbacks turn out to be nothing. Sending positive thoughts your way!

 

[Feralpeg]

This happens so often. Try not to freak out. Many women have dense breast tissue making it really hard to tell from a mammogram. Calcium build ups also cause problems. The odds are with you that it will be nothing. Wishing you the best!

 

[mjkacmom]

Twice, actually most women I’m close with have had this happen.

 

[Eureka]

I had a call back a couple of years ago. They thought they saw a spot but upon re-looking, it turned out to be a shadow from tissue that had kind of folded or scrunched up in the machine. I know how nerve-wracking it can be, good luck. Good thing about a diagnostic mammo is they give you results right away while you wait.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Had a call-back on my very first one! - I was freaking out, but everything turned out to fine. It's actually really common.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I had a call back once, but they told me that they wanted to take a closer look at a certain area. It's possible that they just didn't get clear enough pictures. Also, (and not sure this is your case) I've been told that women with implants need to have twice as many pictures taken, since they have to get a visual around the implants.

Don't panic just yet. Get it done and ask while you're there if this is just routine or are they looking for something. They might not tell you, but they're more likely to tell you it's routine than if it's not.

 

[China Expat]

Had many many callbacks that turned out to be nothing. That changed in July 2019 with stage 1 cancer diagnosis in the left breast. UGH.

 

[Aladora]

Chiming in as another Stage 2b BC survivor, diagnosed Dec 2006 when I was 34. I still can't believe it was more than 14 years ago!

The vast majority of callbacks are for issues that do NOT end up being cancer and are either non-clear images or benign lumps/cysts. While it can be so stressful to get that call to go in again, try and be reassured by the fact that it is way more likely to be nothing than something!

 

[mom2rtk]

A ridiculously high number of these are nothing. So try not to sweat it.

But seriously. In the future, find an imaging center that has a radiologist reading them on the spot. Then if you need extra images, you get them done right away and don't leave without knowing where you stand.