If you've recently had a mammogram screening for breast cancer, well done! Regular screening is the best way to detect breast cancer at an early stage when it is easiest to treat and cure. Yet there’s a chance you may get called back for additional imaging. This can be nerve-wracking but try to remember the vast majority of people we call back do not end up having breast cancer.
What does it mean to get called back for additional imaging?
After a mammogram, you’ll often get your results very soon-within a day or two. Sometimes that means getting a call requesting additional imaging. This is common, especially for women getting their first mammogram because the radiologist has no comparison for what is normal for your breast tissue pattern. About 10 percent of women will be called back for additional mammogram views and/or ultrasound. Of the women who are called back, only about five percent of them will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Reasons you might be asked to have additional imaging
Usually the radiologist has a question about an area of your breast. This may simply be an area of breast tissue that needs more compression to see through better, or it could be a mass that ends up being a cyst. Calcium deposits in the breast sometimes need to be imaged with special magnified views for the radiologist to determine if they are of concern. On rarer occasions we ask women to come back if we think there is an area that was not included well enough on the images.
What happens at an additional imaging appointment?
An additional imaging appointment is similar to a regular screening. You will be called back to a mammography room, where the technologist will take images of the breast tissue. These images are slightly different than the usual screening images, with different angles or different focus used, but they are generally not a full set of mammogram images. Rather, they are targeted to the area in question. If you need an ultrasound as well that will be done at the same appointment. In some instances, you may not need additional mammogram images but will be recommended to go straight to ultrasound.
Occasionally, the additional imaging may lead the care team to recommend that you have a breast biopsy. If that is the case, you will be given an appointment for a biopsy and we will contact your doctor so that there is no delay.
How can I help manage my anxiety about being called back?
Any anxiety that may come up after getting a call back for additional breast imaging is perfectly normal. We know that breast cancer impacts many people every year and it's very likely that we know someone directly, either a family member or close friend, who has been diagnosed with cancer. So it's no surprise that you may feel scared or worried if you receive a call back that requests additional imaging.
That said, there are steps you can take to try to manage your anxiety and not let it overwhelm you. Mindfulness techniques can help to reduce the physical feelings associated with anxiety and bring some stillness to a worried mind. Talking with family, friends, or a trusted counselor can be a great way to ease your mind a bit as well. You can also reach out to the American Cancer Society support network at 1-800-227-2345 if you have specific questions or concerns or just need an understanding ear.
Additional imaging determined you have cancer—next steps
Whether cancer is detected on an initial mammogram or on additional imaging, you'll be referred to breast cancer specialists, such as the team at the Breast Cancer Center at Brown University Health. Before your first appointment, it can be helpful to make a list on paper or in your smartphone's notes app of any questions or family history. During your appointment, take additional notes or ask your provider if you can record parts of the conversation so you can recall important information later.
There are many resources available to breast cancer patients and survivors. Ask your care team about local support groups or additional resources. Visit the American Cancer Society's webpage to learn more about your diagnosis or connect with the ACS CARES app.
While there's no way to guarantee you'll never get breast cancer, the best way to catch it early and at its most treatable is through routine mammograms. Newer screening guidelines recommend mammograms start at 40 years old, especially for anyone with a family history of breast cancer.
Learn more about breast imaging and how to schedule a mammogram in Rhode Island or southeastern Massachusetts on our website.
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