topic Re: Mammogram call back in Wellness

Mammogram call back

GabbyAnn — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 01:45:44 GMT

I was just hoping to hear from some of you with regards to your mammograms.

On Sep 13 I had a screening mammogram after more than 2 weeks I still hadn't received a letter with my results. They told me a week and I should have my letter, so I called my doctor's office and was told I needed an ultrasound. Today I went back and was told my order was "messed up" and I needed a follow up mammogram but no ultrasound. Which was confusing, but ok, because I thought I would get the results from today's test while there. I was told I would receive a report and would be told nothing of the results today, even though she said the radiologist was present and looked at the images.

So, this was my first call back and I've tried not to worry or stress, but sometimes that's hard to do. Anyway, is this the norm? Thanks for anyway willing to share their thoughts on this.

Re: Mammogram call back

Etoile308 — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 01:50:48 GMT

I wouldn't say it's the norm, but certainly not unusual and needing second mammogram or additional test happens frequently.

I've never gotten my results in a day or two, even when someone is there reading film.

Re: Mammogram call back

Laura14 — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 02:09:32 GMT

@GabbyAnn About not getting test results, that was my experience. I got called back which scares the heck out of you and went for a second mammogram and then was ushered into an ultrasound. She then told me someone may be coming to talk to me.

Instead, the tech came back alone and told me to go home. My doctor would call me at some point with results. It was the day before Thanksgiving and I can't tell you what a miserable holiday that was.

If you have an online health portal, keep checking it. I finally saw my report for myself on Sunday morning that I was completely fine. Just cysts. Why someone couldn't just tell me that and let me exhale, I will never know. It was so traumatic that I refused to go back after a third callback a few years later.

Don't do that. Go get the second exam and get the all clear which is what it is the majority of the time. I've been stressed out twice over nothing and refused a third go round but more importantly their refusal to remember that they're dealing with human beings is just unacceptable. If you have something, odds are someone will say something day of was my sense. If they make you wait, that's a great sign.

I am so sorry this is happening. Oh and someone finally did call and make it official a week later that the report only showed cysts. Get that online portal access. It's the fastest way to know you're good.

Re: Mammogram call back

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 02:12:15 GMT

@GabbyAnn I have had several call backs...I have always waited 2-4 days for the results...even on call backs.

If where you are going does not 'feel right', I'd find another location to have the tests. I would get concerned when told things got 'messed up'. Trust your gut.

I've had several call backs, two biopsies and a lumpectomy, all came back negative. Try to be positve until you have to worry.

Re: Mammogram call back

GabbyAnn — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 02:16:50 GMT

It's been a long nearly month now. Unfortunately, our hospital has opened a new section where my Dr is and the patient portal isn't working now. Honestly, this whole thing has been a mess. The patient portal is usually what I rely on, but I've been about 3 weeks trying to get logged back in. They just say they're having trouble and to try again. I like to read my medical records myself. I may not understand all the medical language, but I can usually understand enough to know how things are looking. Thank you so much for replying!

Re: Mammogram call back

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 02:17:38 GMT

Sorry this has been your experience. It's really inconsiderate.

I suggest all women look into thermography instead. Not only is it painless but it catches issues much sooner than mammography.

Re: Mammogram call back

Icegoddess — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 02:28:35 GMT

I have been called back to get a 2nd mammogram. I think the radiologist just looks at it enough to tell if it's a good pic, not the way one would if they were examining it for something out of the ordinary.

I have also been called back to have an ultrasound and then a biopsy. Of course that waiting period between getting the ultrasound and the biopsy is maddening. You want it done NOW, but had to wait, don't remember how long. Everythiing came out fine, fibroadenoma. Dr. said I have lumpy breasts. Apparently it can be a little painful because he said I could eliminate this, that, and caffeine (chocolate) from my diet to deal with it. I said no thanks. I'll just have lumpy little breasts.

Re: Mammogram call back

HerRoyaLioness — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 03:07:55 GMT

They are not doing a good job of getting back to you. I have had breast cancer, only found by having a mammogram, so stick with it and keep calling them until you get all the information you need.

Also, beware of using thermography- it's just an infra red camera and not recommended as a stand alone test for diagnosing breast cancer per the FDA.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-warns-thermography-should-not-be-used-place-mammography-detect-diagnose-or-screen-breast-cancer

Re: Mammogram call back

Mistreatedbycs — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 03:23:41 GMT

@GabbyAnn

I have always gotten same day or next day results. It's not a matter of waiting for them to call, I can either call them (which I have numerous times) or I have looked online with my provider.

Being called back is no big deal. Sometimes I swear they do it for the insurance or there might be something that they want to look at a little closer.

Ultrasounds are often common too after a second call back.

Don't stress, just be happy someone is concerned and want to see more but you should really be proactive and call immediately.

Do you know that there is really a high percentage of women that have NOT had one mammogram. Seriously, ask the nurses that perform the mammograms, they usually have the stats. Now that really surprised me. Now they are saying every 3 years, sorry, I go every year and haven't missed a year ever.

Re: Mammogram call back

Meowingkitty — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 12:25:35 GMT

I went to this one place and waited 3 weeks for the first results only to find out I needed to have an ultrasound. They would not see me for 5 weeks. That was unacceptable so I went somewhere else within a few days and found out it was just a cyst.

Re: Mammogram call back

Shelbelle — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 13:37:54 GMT

I have had 3 call backs over the years. The screening facility I go to only schedules call back appts when a radiologist will be on site to read it immediately or even to examine you, if need be ,so you are given results while you are still there.

Re: Mammogram call back

LindaSal — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 14:37:04 GMT

I agree wtih @HerRoyaLioness . As a breast cancer survivor myself, you should stick with it until you get an answer. It's not too unusual to be called back but my feeling is you are much better off because if there is possibly something going on, you want to get on it ASAP! Best of luck.

Re: Mammogram call back

SeaMaiden — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 15:16:38 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
Sorry this has been your experience. It's really inconsiderate.

I suggest all women look into thermography instead. Not only is it painless but it catches issues much sooner than mammography.

@ThinkingOutLoud and it can save women from disfiguring and painful biopsies and lumpectomies and such.

Re: Mammogram call back

qvcaddition — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 15:18:22 GMT

@GabbyAnn

@GabbyAnn wrote:
I was just hoping to hear from some of you with regards to your mammograms.

On Sep 13 I had a screening mammogram after more than 2 weeks I still hadn't received a letter with my results. They told me a week and I should have my letter, so I called my doctor's office and was told I needed an ultrasound. Today I went back and was told my order was "messed up" and I needed a follow up mammogram but no ultrasound. Which was confusing, but ok, because I thought I would get the results from today's test while there. I was told I would receive a report and would be told nothing of the results today, even though she said the radiologist was present and looked at the images.

So, this was my first call back and I've tried not to worry or stress, but sometimes that's hard to do. Anyway, is this the norm? Thanks for anyway willing to share their thoughts on this.

This happen to me and I was so scared. They found a lump, yet my mammo was fine, so they sent me to have another mammo and ultra sound. There were about five women waiting also for same thing. Everything turned out fine for all of us. We got our results then and there.

It was dense fibroids. This was before covid..

Last year I was OK. I had a mammo scheduled for Monday, and just got booster shot, and was told I have to wait 6 weeks before I can get a mammo, because it can disturb the lymph nodes and get a bad reading.

Re: Mammogram call back

tends2dogs — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 16:59:20 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
Sorry this has been your experience. It's really inconsiderate.

I suggest all women look into thermography instead. Not only is it painless but it catches issues much sooner than mammography.

So glad to see someone else mention thermography. I haven't had a mammogram for over 15 years. That is when I switched. The technician told me they have several breast cancer survivors that use thermograms for their breast checks. No more squishee! @ThinkingOutLoud

Re: Mammogram call back

RedTop — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 17:10:20 GMT

@GabbyAnn

My facility does 3D mammograms that are actually seen by a Radiologist while your images are taken. I've been getting these tests long enough now to know from the number of images and the techs attitude/tone that my results are good by the time I leave the room to get dressed. My facility gets the letters out within 24 hours.

What you've described truly sounds like human error. At my facility, you are not dismissed until the tech has images of everything needed for the reading. No one is going to admit their mistake or facility error, but I urge you to stay on this until you have your actual test results. Best wishes to you!

Re: Mammogram call back

meem120 — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 21:45:56 GMT

Its not uncommon to get a call back. It seems to me that perhaps the tech that did the original mammo did not use enough compression. Or, it might be that your results were screwed up by the person calling you for the ultrasound and maybe you werent the patient. Only way for them to get correct results is for you to get a new mammo to be sure. Anything can happen these days.

Re: Mammogram call back

DSD2 — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 00:42:05 GMT

GabbyAnn, I am so sorry that you had that experience!

It appears that things are done vastly differently depending on the facility.

Waiting two weeks and hearing nothing is inexcusable in and of itself. And then having to call and be told you needed an ultrasound, which was incorrect, just added insult to injury.

I have a yearly mammogram and every time I've been called back, I have been called the very next day. I can't conceive of waiting for weeks and no one should have to. I would suggest going elsewhere - there are hospitals who will have the mammograms read right then and there. Not sure if that is available where you live but you might wish to inquire. When you have a second mammogram, it should absolutely be explained as to why you are there and what the potential issue is - you have every right to know!

Callbacks are not uncommon as providers need to ensure there are no issues. Often the image is just not clear enough or they need to focus on a particular area.

I know it's hard but please try not to worry as much as you can. I will say a prayer. We can't control what the outcome is but we should be able to ensure we receive the correct information and in a timely manner. .

Re: Mammogram call back

GabbyAnn — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:14:28 GMT

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiece and advice.

I called my doctor's office today to get the results from the follow up mammogram that I had done on Friday.

I was told I have microcalcifications likely benign, which is fairly common from what I understand. I will need to have another mammogram in 6 months.

Again, I truly thank everyone that took time to read my post and reply. Your words were comforting. Being that I'd never been called back for a repeat mammogram, I was a little worried. Blessed & thankful for the news I received today.

Re: Mammogram call back

Laura14 — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:18:33 GMT

@GabbyAnn Yay! That was my first diagnosis too. Now I can mention I also went on a mini shopping spree to celebrate. Enjoy!