Question for the ladies - mammogram callback

[Poohbear538]

Me too. They usually start out with a mamo, call me back for an ultrasound. I've had two biopsys (not needle, they cut me). One of each breast. One was even with me sitting up with my breast in the mamo. machine. Not fun. Just benign masses.

Yikes! Definitely scary . Glad they were all benign.

 

[Poohbear538]

Is there a difference between a screening mammo and a diagnostic one? Is one more thorough than the other?

Hi. When I asked, I was told that they were the same except the diagnostic they read the images immediately. Unfortunately my insurance will not cover a diagnostic unless there is something there. I used to always get a script for a diagnostic with ultrasound because of my history but with insurance the way it is now a days...

 

[Poohbear538]

The place I go does have a radiology on site. But the problem is they don’t read them right away for routine scans, only diagnostic.
All of the cancer stories are scaring me to tears. That is my worst fear even though they classified me as low risk last year.

Big hugs. It’s definitely scary. I just look at my Mom for inspiration. She’s had it 3 times starting at 39 and beat it all 3. She’s 70 and healthy. It was caught early all 3 times. I wish I could say something to help, but I know nothing will. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

 

[pinkxray]

Is there a difference between a screening mammo and a diagnostic one? Is one more thorough than the other?

Screening mammo is your regular, annual mammogram. You are having no issues breast wise, your doctor just orders it annually as a check up.
We take the “normal“ views. At our hospital we do routine screenings all day. At the end of the day a radiologist reads them all so you don’t get your results for a few days. (other locations might have radiologist reading screenings but work in a low income area and we aren’t that fancy)

Diagnostic- There a couple reasons we do diagnostic exams.
1. You had your annual exam. Dr. read it and now wants more images. You get called back. Depending on what the dr saw on the images we will take more images, usually a little different than the ones you had in the screening so that they can visualize the area they want to see better.

2. You are having a breast problem. Maybe a lump that was never there or something along those lines.

3. History of breast cancer. If someone has breast cancer they are automatically a diag for a certain amount of years afterwards. I don’t know if the years differ depending on states.

4.There are some cases where people get called back and the Dr decides they want to keep an eye on whatever it is they were looking at.
So you get called back, they do additional imaging, dr reads it and thinks it doesn’t really look like anything suspicious but they want to keep an eye on it to make sure. Then they order a follow up diag in 3 or 6 months.

That is pretty much the basics. (Might be some other reason I’m not thinking of) Hope it helps. Diagnostics usually cost more and insurance doesn’t usually cover them unless needed for whatever reason.

**This can depend on where you go but in most places I know you have your screening mammo, get dressed and go home.
When you have a diagnostic exam, they take the pictures, the dr looks while you wait (which can sometimes take awhile) and then sometimes they want more pics or they will tell you what they think.

 

[Poohbear538]

Screening mammo is your regular, annual mammogram. You are having no issues breast wise, your doctor just orders it annually as a check up.
We take the “normal“ views. At our hospital we do routine screenings all day. At the end of the day a radiologist reads them all so you don’t get your results for a few days. (other locations might have radiologist reading screenings but work in a low income area and we aren’t that fancy)

Diagnostic- There a couple reasons we do diagnostic exams.
1. You had your annual exam. Dr. read it and now wants more images. You get called back. Depending on what the dr saw on the images we will take more images, usually a little different than the ones you had in the screening so that they can visualize the area they want to see better.

2. You are having a breast problem. Maybe a lump that was never there or something along those lines.

3. History of breast cancer. If someone has breast cancer they are automatically a diag for a certain amount of years afterwards. I don’t know if the years differ depending on states.

4.There are some cases where people get called back and the Dr decides they want to keep an eye on whatever it is they were looking at.
So you get called back, they do additional imaging, dr reads it and thinks it doesn’t really look like anything suspicious but they want to keep an eye on it to make sure. Then they order a follow up diag in 3 or 6 months.

That is pretty much the basics. (Might be some other reason I’m not thinking of) Hope it helps. Diagnostics usually cost more and insurance doesn’t usually cover them unless needed for whatever reason.

**This can depend on where you go but in most places I know you have your screening mammo, get dressed and go home.
When you have a diagnostic exam, they take the pictures, the dr looks while you wait (which can sometimes take awhile) and then sometimes they want more pics or they will tell you what they think.

Thank you for this. Definitely more detailed than what I have ever been given at the Drs office. They just changed mine to regular last year after almost 20 years and I was not happy.

 

[Snowflakey]

Since you are asking I am going to give you my story.

Many here say not to worry, which is great that everything was fine with them, however it wasn't with me. I had my annual mammogram at the age of 45 and got the call to come back. EVERYONE told me it is totally normal and not to worry at all. I had no family history. I had the biopsy and it was breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and that was it because all felt we got it very early and it was Stage 0. Fast forward to the next year when I had my first mammogram since being diagnosed - cancer was back! UGH! I had two more surgeries and 7 weeks of radiation.

I've been 5 years cancer free. My next mammogram is in March. I won't lie - I get scared every single year when I go.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Poohbear538]

Since you are asking I am going to give you my story.

Many here say not to worry, which is great that everything was fine with them, however it wasn't with me. I had my annual mammogram at the age of 45 and got the call to come back. EVERYONE told me it is totally normal and not to worry at all. I had no family history. I had the biopsy and it was breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and that was it because all felt we got it very early and it was Stage 0. Fast forward to the next year when I had my first mammogram since being diagnosed - cancer was back! UGH! I had two more surgeries and 7 weeks of radiation.

I've been 5 years cancer free. My next mammogram is in March. I won't lie - I get scared every single year when I go.

Best of luck to you!

Big hugs. Thank you for sharing. It’s definitely important to hear both sides. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst my Mom always says. Glad to hear you are cancer free!

 

[Snowflakey]

If anyone who is reading this facility doesn't give them results right away then you have the right to request a call that day with the results. That is what I do. I usually get a call within and hour or so. I highly recommend that!

 

[720L]

I had a call back 3 or 4 years ago. Had a 3d mammogram then to see what was going on.

It was dense tissue. Now, I just get a 3 d mammogram and bypass the regular mammogram scares. The technician reads it when I'm in the room. Last year, I had a couple of small cysts. This year they were gone.

The callback terrified me. It was 2 weeks before Christmas and we were having a rare snow. I'll never forget it.

Wishing you all the best.

Now I'm confused. I get the 3D because of dense breasts. I thought I was told it can't see cysts, which is why I needed the ultrasound.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Since you are asking I am going to give you my story.

Many here say not to worry, which is great that everything was fine with them, however it wasn't with me. I had my annual mammogram at the age of 45 and got the call to come back. EVERYONE told me it is totally normal and not to worry at all. I had no family history. I had the biopsy and it was breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and that was it because all felt we got it very early and it was Stage 0. Fast forward to the next year when I had my first mammogram since being diagnosed - cancer was back! UGH! I had two more surgeries and 7 weeks of radiation.

I've been 5 years cancer free. My next mammogram is in March. I won't lie - I get scared every single year when I go.

Best of luck to you!

I’m glad you are ok, but this has me terrified. I’m trying to remind myself it isn’t a death sentence and I’m doing the right thing by getting tested every year. With my health anxiety I always jump to worst case scenario and forget about best case.

 

[mom2rtk]

I’m glad you are ok, but this has me terrified. I’m trying to remind myself it isn’t a death sentence and I’m doing the right thing by getting tested every year. With my health anxiety I always jump to worst case scenario and forget about best case.

Take a deep breath. The vast majority of callbacks turn out to be nothing.

Of the number that go on to require a biopsy, a huge number will be benign.

Of the few that turn out to be cancerous, the survival rate is amazingly high. You're doing this because the survival rate with early detection is so high.

I know it's hard. Just breathe and move forward. Hopefully they'll put your mind at ease and you can exhale again soon.

 

[mom2rtk]

For those wondering about coverage, it's about what's required to be covered under the guidelines set up by the ACA. Preventive care, including routine screening mammograms, is required to be covered at 100%, without triggering the deductible. The minute there's something detected, it's no longer routine so it's covered, just subject to deductible and coinsurance like anything else. For those with a high deductible plan (more and more common) that can be just like not having coverage (since the deductible is often more than the test).

If you can move to a 3D mammogram for your screening, it's a good idea. Because they capture more information in that initial screening. If you have the old traditional (2D?) mammogram and have to call you back for more images, that's no longer covered as preventive care.

 

[Snowflakey]

I’m glad you are ok, but this has me terrified. I’m trying to remind myself it isn’t a death sentence and I’m doing the right thing by getting tested every year. With my health anxiety I always jump to worst case scenario and forget about best case.

I didn't want to terrify you. You are doing the right thing by being tested! Never forget that!

I'm more of a realist type of person and it hits a nerve when I see people saying "don't worry about it, this happens all the time" because when they are wrong, like they were when several said it to me, it is very hard.

Stay positive!

 

[HulaHoopy]

I got called back last week, had to have a more detailed mammogram, ultrasound and ultimately a biopsy. Just got my biopsy results back yesterday and it was good news.

It is hard not to worry, but try not too if you can.

 

[720L]

For those wondering about coverage, it's about what's required to be covered under the guidelines set up by the ACA. Preventive care, including routine screening mammograms, is required to be covered at 100%, without triggering the deductible. The minute there's something detected, it's no longer routine so it's covered, just subject to deductible and coinsurance like anything else. For those with a high deductible plan (more and more common) that can be just like not having coverage (since the deductible is often more than the test).

If you can move to a 3D mammogram for your screening, it's a good idea. Because they capture more information in that initial screening. If you have the old traditional (2D?) mammogram and have to call you back for more images, that's no longer covered as preventive care.

Yes we have a $10,000 deductible . So basically I don't have insurance.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes we have a $10,000 deductible . So basically I don't have insurance.

So many struggling with the same thing right now.

 

[HeatherC]

I didn't want to terrify you. You are doing the right thing by being tested! Never forget that!

I'm more of a realist type of person and it hits a nerve when I see people saying "don't worry about it, this happens all the time" because when they are wrong, like they were when several said it to me, it is very hard.

Stay positive!

People were not saying don’t worry about it. They were saying don’t panic or think the worst case scenario because most cases turn out fine. Panicking does nothing and creating extra worry for someone else is not helpful. I think your post came across quite different than you may have intended it. I am one who has had callbacks for over five years and each time is nerve wracking. Reading a post like yours just makes the anxiety worse.

While I am THRILLED you are ok, all you reallly had to say was that you were glad the OP is following up on it because it is always better to be safe than sorry.

‘And OP...stay positive. Truly. Try not to worry until there is something to worry about. And hopefully, there isn’t.

 

[Snowflakey]

People were not saying don’t worry about it. They were saying don’t panic or think the worst case scenario because most cases turn out fine. Panicking does nothing and creating extra worry for someone else is not helpful. I think your post came across quite different than you may have intended it. I am one who has had callbacks for over five years and each time is nerve wracking. Reading a post like yours just makes the anxiety worse.

While I am THRILLED you are ok, all you reallly had to say was that you were glad the OP is following up on it because it is always better to be safe than sorry.

‘And OP...stay positive. Truly. Try not to worry until there is something to worry about. And hopefully, there isn’t.

The OP asked in her first post "who else had this and was everything ok?" .

So I answered her with my experience as that is what she asked for.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Update: it was scar tissue. I guess on one image it looked different so today when they did the mammogram it looked less worrisome. And the ultrasound confirmed it was scar tissue. Thanks to all for the encouragement!

 

[HeatherC]

Update: it was scar tissue. I guess on one image it looked different so today when they did the mammogram it looked less worrisome. And the ultrasound confirmed it was scar tissue. Thanks to all for the encouragement!

Congratulations!!! Wonderful news!