Women: How common is it to be called back after screening mammogram?

[Gina]

So I went in for my screening mammogram on 11/22. I'm 48 yrs old, last mammogram was 2 years ago and was clear. Right after Thanksgiving I got a letter that said they want to do additional imaging and that the report had been sent to my doctor. I called her office and her NP said that the report showed I have "fibroglandular" tissue, which apparently means really dense tissue. She said they also noticed something on the right side they want to look at more closely, which she said was probably just a spot they couldn't really see because of the dense tissue. I have a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound scheduled for this Saturday A.M.

My main question is, how common is it to be called back for additional images like this? How come the dense tissue was not an issue last time? I'm trying to not be nervous about it, but I admit I keep thinking about it. FWIW, I have absolutely zero family history for pretty much any cancer except for one grandparent, and have felt no lumps or anything like that. Also had my regular well-woman visit in April with full hands-on exam by the doc, and nothing noted there.

The really crappy thing about all this is that I was mainly trying to give my wonderful bf some peace of mind -- his first wife died a number of years ago from breast cancer. I know he has to be worried but now but not showing it. I'm just hoping one of you can give me some positive statistics to cling to.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had my first mammogram this summer at 39. At the time, they did a more detailed screening of one side because they saw something. I forget the name of what they suspected--but they figured it would be benign and needle biopsy was only way to confirm. And it was indeed benign.

So I have no idea now common it is--but all med staff involved treated me as though this were routine.

 

[okeydokey]

I was called back last time and everything turned out clear. I know it is hard not to worry, but I think call backs are actually pretty common.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So I went in for my screening mammogram on 11/22. I'm 48 yrs old, last mammogram was 2 years ago and was clear. Right after Thanksgiving I got a letter that said they want to do additional imaging and that the report had been sent to my doctor. I called her office and her NP said that the report showed I have "fibroglandular" tissue, which apparently means really dense tissue. She said they also noticed something on the right side they want to look at more closely, which she said was probably just a spot they couldn't really see because of the dense tissue. I have a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound scheduled for this Saturday A.M.

My main question is, how common is it to be called back for additional images like this? How come the dense tissue was not an issue last time? I'm trying to not be nervous about it, but I admit I keep thinking about it. FWIW, I have absolutely zero family history for pretty much any cancer except for one grandparent, and have felt no lumps or anything like that. Also had my regular well-woman visit in April with full hands-on exam by the doc, and nothing noted there.

The really crappy thing about all this is that I was mainly trying to give my wonderful bf some peace of mind -- his first wife died a number of years ago from breast cancer. I know he has to be worried but now but not showing it. I'm just hoping one of you can give me some positive statistics to cling to.

I'd say it's moderately common. It happened to me. And both my sisters. Everytime after we'd already had several clear mammograms over the years. Things change, they're just being thorough.

Also, I've seen reports (on an earlier thread pretty much with the same question) of others getting the call back.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It is VERY common from what I can tell. All of my older friends have been called back at least once. I had the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound done 2 months ago for pain, and they found nothing except dense tissue and scar tissue from a lumpectomy I had years ago. But if I had gone just for a regular ultrasound I would have been called back for a diagnostic like you.

 

[anniemae]

It is very common to be called back. I get called back a lot. They just sometimes need another view, or they need to compress more to flatten you out a bit. Sometimes it's a shadow or a crease that the tech did not catch.

I used to go to a place that made you sit and wait while the dr. looked at the mammogram. If they needed an additional slide or if there was a shadow, the did it right then while you were there. They did not read for results, just to get the additional slides if needed so you don't have to go back. The place I go to now does not do that. You go in, the do the images and you go home. If they need you to come back, they call you in a day or two.

fwiw, my dr. said that many cases of breast cancer there is no family history. Also, did you get a 3D mammogram? Supposedly there are less call backs with 3D mammos but I don't think they are widely used yet.

Women in their 40's can have very dense breasts, which make the mammograms tougher to read. Also, from what a tech once told me, everyone has cysts and they come and go with your cycle. Also, maybe at your first mammo they compressed harder so they could see through the dense tissue.

Try not to stress, I know it's easer said than done! Please let us know how it goes on Saturday. Good Luck, you are doing the right thing.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It has happen to many of my friends and myself. We are all very close to your age. Dense tissue is often a reason for doing a diagnostic mammogram. Not one of my friends ended up having any true issues. Be aware that insurance may not cover all of the cost this time. Of course you will get it anyway, but just be prepared they may expect a larger co-pay at the time of service. My ex-primary doctor used poor judgement in referring me for a diagnostic rather that a primary screening to begin with and it did indeed cause a lot of anxiety for me. Hugs......changes are VERY good it will be nothing. Oh.....I choose to not tell anyone, not even DH that there were concerns before the procedure. However when I arrived, I found out that if there was anything there, they would do a biopsy and I would have a diagnosis before I left. OOOPS. Not something I really wanted to be alone for and DH was hours away working and unreachable. Turns out all was fine, but I really wished I had taken someone with me.

 

[NAB]

I was too called back too but found nothing, glad they were through. Said it might have been my skin or muscle got in there and overlapped.

 

[North of Mouse]

Have been called back twice - both times ok, but would rather the call backs knowing they are trying to be thorough, and yes, both times, scared!!

 

[tvguy]

My wife ALWAYS gets called back because her insurance will not pay for a digital mammogram unless a traditional mammogram shows a need for the digital mammogram. Dense tissue the issue for her too.

 

[KristaTX]

I was called back last year because of the "dense breast tissue" issue. I went in just today for a screening mammogram (different facility from where I went last year), and I won't be surprised at all if I have to go back.

 

[KimR]

I get a callback almost every year. Its alwys turned out to be a shadow or overlapping tissue. The technician told me that women who are thin and have small breasts like I do are difficult to image.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

I've been called back two times, out of three mammograms. Everything was okay both times.

 

[Gina]

Thanks, you guys! I'm a bit relieved to hear it's so common. I'm honestly more worried that my bf is internally worrying, and I hate that. They told me that the Radiologist will speak with me Saturday after reading the images and I'll have an answer then (unless even more tests are needed.) So I'm hoping that it'll be a quick and easy answer with no follow up needed, and we can go about our business. Our chihuahua is getting her picture with Santa that day also! Priorities!!

Thanks again for the replies, I appreciate it!

 

[gwynne]

I used to get frequent call backs until I started only going to places with digital mammography.

OP, sending you good wishes. It's hard to wait, but hopefully it will be just one of those second look and it's fine things.

 

[scoutie]

It's really common. I have dense breast tissue and my mammographer said it was like trying to see a polar bear in the snow. I always get called back. They have to call you back for more images to differentiate between healthy tissue and if anything is concerning.

Plus, with digital imaging....it picks EVERYTHING up. Anything needs to be investigated. I had two "abnormalities" which turned out to be lymph nodes.

 

[ElizabethB]

If you have dense breasts, insist -- and I mean INSIST, on having a sonogram as well as a mammogram - even if you have to pay for it yourself. (Spoken by someone who has had breast cancer in several places, some of which did not show up on mammogram but only on sonogram.)

 

[StephMK]

I've been called back in 2 out of 4 mammograms and I'm 44. My very 1st one resulted in a call back then biopsy for micro-calcs. It turned out fine and I had 6 month checks. My most recent one also had a call back and at that one, they said it was fine & I didn't need to do anything else.

I know it's hard not to worry but hang in there.

 

[teller80]

I get called back almost every time. I wonder why they can't do it right the first time? What other test is there where you get it done and then have to go back for a better look? Can't they just see right away weather they need add't films? It's annoying.

 

[Bluestars]

I've been called back before. It freaked me out, but everything ended up being fine. They also did an ultrasound. I was very nervous in the waiting room and talked to the other women there. Every single one of them had been called back one time or another.

My sister was called back and told to be in the next day and that the radiologist would be there. She was so scared, but everything turned out ok.