You’ve gone to the doctor, gotten a mammogram, and tried to put it at the back of your mind. A week or so later, you receive a call back, and instead of relieving you of your fears and telling you to schedule your next one in a year’s time, the doctor is asking for more images.
First thing’s first: Breathe. It’s easy to jump to the worst-case scenario when you hear the word “abnormal” when describing any part of your health. Most abnormal findings on a screening mammogram are not breast cancer, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). But the doctor will want to get more imaging done to make sure they get the most accurate answers.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
What comes next?
Your doctor will most likely want to schedule a diagnostic mammogram.
“A callback after a screening mammogram does not mean you have breast cancer,” said Dr. Christine Harris, breast surgeon and medical director of Frederick Health Breast Center. “It means the radiologist saw an area that deserves a closer look, and additional imaging helps us determine exactly what we’re seeing.”
According to the American Cancer Society, 10% of breast mammograms need follow-up imaging. Your first mammogram was a screening: a routine check-up that takes two standard pictures of each breast. A diagnostic mammogram gets into the details like a fine-tooth comb: It takes extra X-ray pictures from different angles, often zooming in or pressing tightly on a specific spot of concern. Sometimes, it can also include a breast ultrasound.
Because of the extra attention to detail on specific areas identified in the first mammogram, the radiologist will likely need more time, from one to three hours.
We know how intimidating this can be, especially when the thought of it being cancer looms over a simple scheduling call. Maybe you’re hesitant because you have a family history of breast cancer, or because health is a serious topic that is very personal to each person. But those reasons are exactly why you need to schedule a follow-up with your doctor.
“The most important thing after an abnormal mammogram is to complete the recommended follow-up,” said Dr. Harris. “Many findings turn out to be benign, but we don’t want fear or uncertainty to delay getting a clear answer.”
Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Early diagnosis will give you more options for treatment, reduce your risks of complications, and any treatment will be more effective early on, when conditions are the most curable.
What are “abnormalities” in my breast?
As we mentioned, abnormalities found in a mammogram can be a number of different things unrelated to cancer. Possible abnormalities include:
- Fluid-filled cysts: Round or oval sacs filled with fluid that feel smooth and mobile. All simple cysts and most complicated cysts are benign in nature.
- Fibroadenomas: Solid, benign tumors that feel rubbery and move easily under the skin.
- Lymph nodes: Small bean-shaped glands that occur normally in the breast and under the arm. Typically, they are benign.
- Calcifications: Tiny calcium deposits that become more common with age.
- Asymmetric tissue: Areas where one breast has more tissue than the other, often related to normal variation, prior surgery, or trauma.
- Dense breast: While not technically an abnormality, dense breast tissue makes it harder to spot small tumors, so doctors sometimes suggest extra tests. Having dense breasts does not automatically mean you need a second mammogram.
If any of the above are found in your breast, try not to assume the worst. Many breast changes are benign, and your care team will help you understand what was found and what, if anything, needs to happen next. Depending on how the area looks on your imaging, you may be able to return to your regular screening schedule, or your radiologist may recommend follow-up imaging sooner than typically scheduled to keep an eye on it.
If an area needs a closer look, additional imaging or a biopsy may be recommended. Frederick Health’s trusted imaging partner, Community Radiology Associates, offers advanced 3-D mammography at our Rose Hill and Crestwood locations. Unlike traditional 2-D mammograms, 3-D mammography captures multiple images of the breast, allowing radiologists to see breast tissue more clearly. This technology improves cancer detection, is especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue, and can reduce the need for unnecessary callbacks, additional imaging, and biopsies.
Even if is breast cancer
If you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, it is natural to feel scared or overwhelmed. But you do not have to face it alone. Advances in screening, surgery, radiation, and medical treatments have helped more people than ever successfully treat breast cancer and continue living full, healthy lives.
“When breast cancer is found earlier, we often have more treatment options,” said Dr. Harris. “That is why routine screening and timely follow-up of an abnormal finding are such important parts of breast health.”
You have options for your care. The Frederick Health Breast Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), the Commission on Cancer, and is recognized as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner to ensure that we are providing the best care possible for breast patients.
Frederick Health’s Breast Center uses a multidisciplinary approach, meaning your case is reviewed by a team of specialists who work together to create the best treatment plan for you. Your care team may include a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and plastic or reconstructive surgeon, ensuring every aspect of your care is thoughtfully coordinated.
“Breast cancer treatment is highly individualized,” said Dr. Harris. “We look at the specific characteristics of the cancer as well as the patient’s health, priorities, and preferences, and then the multidisciplinary team works together to develop a treatment plan.”
Throughout your journey, you may find that having one consistent point of contact can make a challenging time feel more manageable. A dedicated breast cancer navigator can serve as a trusted guide, helping you understand your diagnosis, coordinate appointments, connect with resources, and answer questions along the way.
“A breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but patients do not have to navigate it alone,” said Dr. Harris. “From the surgeon and oncology specialists to the breast cancer navigator, our goal is to provide coordinated care and help patients understand what comes next.”
Whether you have questions about an abnormal mammogram, want to stay on top of preventive care, or are looking for guidance on another aspect of your health, Frederick Health can help you find answers and support along the way. To learn more about women’s health services and mammography, visit frederickhealth.org/WomensHealth.
Frederick Health is a nonprofit healthcare system dedicated to positively impacting the wellbeing of every individual in the community. For more than a century, Frederick Health has provided compassionate, high-quality care and continues to do so through an extensive network including Frederick Health Hospital, specialty and primary care practices, cancer services, home care, hospice, and urgent care. Combining advanced medical innovation with a deep commitment to community health, Frederick Health serves patients at every stage of life while continually investing in programs, facilities, and services that help Frederick County thrive.
Subscribe so you don’t miss a post
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates!