Mammogram call back

I thought those days were over. When my loved one had a diagnostic mammogram, she was told right away about the suspicion of cancer, and what the next steps might be. I just had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound a few weeks ago and I was given the all clear in person by the radiologist within minutes. I'm sorry your friend is going through this.

I went back for the follow up mamo. Before I left the office the Radiologist came and talked to me---I needed a biopsy---it was right before Christmas and we were on our way out of town but at least I knew. Hugs for your friend.

Happened to me long ago. Seems I had to wait and worry.

More recently our hospital center (imaging center) calls us in immediately after, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. We are either told to get dressed everything is okay AND GO HOME with a good feeling. Or we are called into to a hospital representative (nurse) that tells us that something does not look as expected. And we are referred to someone, usually a breast surgeon or back to our own doctor. But everything is shown, discussed and we are made to feel comfortable. And with the new 3D imaging there seems to be little guess work especially if there is dense breast involved.

Thanks everyone. How I wish she had an imaging center that didn't leave you in suspense. I get the whole doctor thing but there is a doctor reviewing the results right there. I must be missing the reason why the medical profession which discourages stress creates it and makes the patient wait for the personal physician to make the call either way. It's a holiday so now she has a horrible four days to go through if they aren't open Friday. If something needs more testing, they should just tell her that and let's move on to the next step. (Sorry, had to get that out of my system.) I hate this for her and for all of you who went through this. Hopefully, she'll get a happy call and this will be another shake your head moment.

Oh it would be easier if she had an imaging center. I do to the hospital center and they have the 3D. I get my results back in a few days---but I am certain if something was obviously wrong I wouldn't be allowed to leave.

There may be imaging centers with different protocols, but in many cases diagnostic specialists like pathologists and radiologists function as "doctors' doctors" -- processing, looking at, and analyzing cells or imaging results and making reports to the doctor who ordered the tests. In most instances they do not deal directly with patients. They send (or if necessary, call in) their results to the ordering physicians, give their impressions and opinions, and in some cases may discuss with the ordering physician additional testing or diagnostic procedures that may be helpful. It is usually the ordering physician who discusses the results with the patient and recommends any "next steps".

I'm sorry your friend is feeling stressed. Hopefully she will receive good news very soon.