Is is typical for a radiologist to ask for repeat mammogram?

[CornField]

I had my first mammogram done last Thursday and got a call today that the radiologist would like for me to come back to have additional films done. Is that a typical thing?

(Yup, I'm freaking out.)

[Deep13]

1. Don't know, but there are many reasons to redo an xray.

You might have moved and blurred the image. There may be some other technical problem with the picture.

I know I have had dentists redo xrays when they were underexposed or the photo was not positioned right.

[LostinVA]

2. Yes ... I'm not saying it isn't anything to worry about, but this isn't

abnormal... okay?

[CornField]

3. okay

I'm trying just to breathe. Since it's obvious that I won't be able to get any work done until I know what's going on, I called back and asked to come in this afternoon. I guess I'll know more at 2:30.

[NV Whino]

4. Not unusual

They probably didn't squish your boobs properly the first time.

[tyedyeto]

5. The first time I had one...

I needed to have an ultrasound done because of fibrous tissue. Was scared shitless but all turned out just fine.

[REP]

6. Not Unusual; Deodorants, Powder Obscure the Image

There's a lot of reasons why they didn't get a good image the first time, especially if they didn't use digital equipment.

[khashka]

7. Don't worry too much...

There are many reasons to repeat it. Sometimes the film doesn't turn out, they can't see what they are looking for, it's blurry, etc.

I think if there was a real problem, they'd let you know.

Good for you for having a mammogram though. Lots of women don't. I know it's not fun, but it does help and the people who love you would like you to stick around for a while.


But seriously, don't worry. This isn't unusual.

Still I know how you feel. :hug: My throat cancer scare had me simply going insane.


Khash.

[marzipanni]

8. My friend and I were called back

they wanted to get a slightly different angle or clearer shot. There is a real art to reading mammograms. If you are young it's harder to get good mammograms due to the density of the tissue.I also had (still have)a little fatty tumor below mt armpit, and they sent me in to the sonography room where the technician spent about a half an hour trying to get a good picture of what it was. Just be glad they are being thorough. Good luck this afternoon!

[Coventina]

9. Hugs. I have chronic breast disease and have been through this a lot

It's worrying every time, so I won't tell you not to worry.

Like other posters have said, it is a good thing that they are being thorough.

I don't know what your mental outlook is, but I find it comforting for myself to think in "worst case scenarios". I tell myself, "If it is the worst, it is being caught early and my prognosis will be very good."

:hug:

[redwitch]

10. I've had call backs before, always turned out OK

Try not to fret until/unless there is a reason! :hug:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. When I've had "problem" mammos...

I've been called back in for an unltrasound, not another mammogram. I don't think you have much to worry about -- sounds like they can't read the original films. Sicne this is your first and will be used as a baseline, they need a really good one.

[Bridget Burke]

12. Not that I'm really medically qualified....

But a technical problem with the pix is probably the reason they are calling you back. If anything suspicious had been found, you'd probably be referred to a Doctor for discussion & further testing.

Remember to ASK when you show up for the re-do.

[riona]

13. sounds like the first one wasn't good quality

( you might have dense breast tissue). i've had different biopsies, asperations, sonograms, and several cysts removed - still here, no cancer. try to stay calm.

[nini]

14. yes... I'd be more worried if they wanted to do a biopsy or ultrasound

there was probably a fold of skin or something like that that interfered with a clean image. Don't be tooooo worried though that's easy to say to someone who got that call.

My sister had this happen to her twice and it scared her but did turn out to be bad positioning the first time.

[supernova]

15. I've gotten called back 2 out of 3 times I've gone

Every time the original pics where blurry and I had to repeat the process. It's not uncommon at all.

If they can't see whateveritis on the 2nd set of films, it gets escalated to an ultrasound.

But don't worry, they just want a clear set of images. :hi: :hug: And yes, it's painful. I wish there were a good way to do mammograms.

[CornField]

16. Update

I went back in and the first set of films had shown "something" in my left breast. The radiologist wanted us to magnify that area on the second set of films. We did and they had me wait to see what the radiologist would say.

There is a mass -- under 1 cm -- which they are 99% sure is benign (calcification? I think that's what they said). I was sent over for an ultrasound on the area and the person doing that said the same: looks like nothing.

I'm to wait 6 months and start the whole process again. (I guess to see if it the area has changed.) So, I'm just going to do my best to put it all out of my head for the next six months.

Thanks to everyone who responded for the cyber-hand-holding. I needed it today.

[Coventina]

17. Hugs to you sweetie.

Have you breast-fed any babies?
(you don't have to answer that if you don't want to)

The reason I ask is that when my sister went in for her first mammo, they had to re-do them because she had extensive calcification due to breastfeeding at a very young age.

If they are 99% sure it is benign then you can feel pretty good about it (easy for me to say, right?)

But, from what I've been told (and I've been through a lot with my breasts) is that cancer shows up in a certain pattern that is different from the other stuff.

Just remind yourself when you catch yourself worrying that you are being responsible and doing all you can to keep on top of the situation.

I'm here for you. We're all in this together.

[CornField]

18. Thanks

And, yes, I attempted to breast feed all three. (Mine look good, but - alas - they are only semi-functioning display models. LOL!)

Thanks again. It means a great deal to have a safe place to stress out.

[gardenista]

21. This is also not so unusual. Did they advise you to stop drinking coffee?

It seems to exacerbate calcification.

Sounds like they're really thorough, and that it's probably nothing.

[REP]

24. Never Heard That One!!

I have a LOT of calcifications - over 50 - from over 25 years of cysts. No doctor has ever suggested caffeine or coffee caused fibrocystic breasts!

[gardenista]

27. Both my mom and one of my friends have heard this from their doctors

In my mom's case, at least, her doctor said that it helped. But then, she drand a LOT of coffee.

[CornField]

26. Wouldn't have done any good -- I'm not a coffee drinker

Unless you count the 3-4 lattes I drink each winter. :)

[REP]

23. I Have Over 50 Calcifications

I'm 41. I've had fibrocystic breasts since I've had breasts. Calcifications form from cysts. They are almost always benign. (I still get mine mapped pretty often - I guess to give the mammographer something to do.)

[Whoa_Nelly]

19. Happens to me every time

and after the second visit it's always determined to be just a fibroid cyst...or something like that...something that never changes, is always there...

Hang loose, try not to worry. Better they get a second film for whatever the reason...it doesn't mean it's a bad thing. :hug:

[gardenista]

20. I've had to get a second round taken. Not necessarily something to worry

about. Particularly if this is your first one.

[NMMNG]

22. It is, particularly for a first timer

Since they don't have any previous films to compare them to, any areas of shading or spotting on the film will make them want to do another film just to be sure. I had to go in again for extra films when I had my first mammogram and everything was fine. Don't freak out until it's time to freak out. :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. Sometimes yes. A friend of mine has gotten called back about three

times. They called her breasts "dense"...I asked her if she was going to let them get away with that. ;)

Seriously, you will be in my thoughts...and I will hope that the reason is the same, or a reasonable facsimile, for you. :hug:

[Dervill Crow]

28. Yup, it's fairly common.

Especially in younger women. My transcription department does a huge number of screening mammograms each day, and there are quite a few callbacks. Nobody likes having mammograms, and it's a real pain (literally!) but sometimes it just can't be helped.

Ack, I haven't had one since 2003, so that needs to be scheduled. Curses.

[electron_blue]

29. No, not typical, but it doesn't necessarily mean *bad* news

I got a callback last fall and it turns out everything was ok. Did they give you any details?