Wellness

[Tinkrbl44]

I had a mammogram in February with a different radiology group.  They asked for my previous records for comparison, and were reviewed.  Previous mammogram was about 18 months ago, different insurance.

I was asked to come back in for an MRI (or whatever comes next) and I scheduled that appointment.

I am not someone who gets upset in advance of having the facts, but since they scheduled the appointment for mid-June, would you guess this is not what anyone would call "urgent" ? 

I would think if a mammogram shows as "highly suspicious" ... wouldn't they try to get me in sooner?  

Never had a call back before.  What are your thoughts on this?   TIA. 

[on the bay]

My daughter had a call back on her first mamogram. They said they didn't get clear enough films or something like that. Everything was fine on the call back.

My daughter's theory is that they call most back and do more tests, an ultrasound or whatever that is coded differently than the mamogram and thus gives them more money!

I'm beginning to wonder too. All the thousands of mamograms I've had except 2, always had a call back in which ultrasounds were given, once a biopsy-all ok.

Many women have dense breast tissue and despite the ads that 3d mamograms are able to detect much, they somehow do not detect enough to have a call back most every time!

So those are my thoughts. But of course if we get a call back, we worry and are going to go to make sure.

[lgfan]

I wouldn't worry about it because if it was urgent you wouldn't be given an appointment in June.  The appointment would be scheduled sooner.  It probably is something minor and need to follow up with an MRI to make sure.  I had a biopsy many years ago.  It was much ado about nothing.  It turned out to be benign.  It was a cyst that was removed.  SInce then I have not had any more scares.

[Bhvbum]

I would call the place you got the mammogram and ask them all the questions that you just asked. We don't know enough about the subject other than to guess, and you are looking for facts particular to your medical history.  Stop worrying and just call them.  

I just had a mammogram after 20 years, so imagine my apprehension. But I did it and I was pleasantly surprised at how easily it went and how competent these folks are. Give them an opportunity to show you

This is too important. 

[Ditzydori]

Hi Tinkerbl44. I will tell you what happened to me. I have moved twice since leaving NY and going to the same facility for my Mamo for a good 20 years. Both times I moved I brought all my records with me. 

nonetheless, both times I had to have a biopsy. Both were fine. Now I'm going to the same facility here in florida for the past 4 years and all is calm now. I have no doubt if I moved again, I'd be asked to do another biopsy. 

I will say I'm a cancer survivor for 28 years im quite sure that played a part in the biopsy as I had a lot of surgery on the remaining breast for reconstruction symmetry. They wanted to be safe. 

my guess, and only a guess, is the same safety measures are being applied to you. and yes, if it was that urgent, they most likely would have recommended you go sooner, or at least you would hope they wood. 

When my cancer was found, things moved along quickly.  But as someone else suggested, call the facility and ask them what your concerns are. It will help ease your mind without surmising or guessing. 

 I wish you a peaceful time  until you can be rest assured all is well. 

be blessed. 

[Laura14]

Fully agree with @on the bay .

I started to get called back every year and, since insurance covers nothing once you go diagnostic, after paying hundreds of dollars myself to get the same well we really can't see and it's probably nothing so just come back as normal next year, the third time I refused to come back.

They also tried to send me to a urologist for microscopic blood in a UA claiming it was guidelines and I could potentially have bladder cancer. Are you kidding me? My mother's husband had just been treated for bladder cancer so I am slightly dangerous in that area.

I also know where to go for guidelines and it's three findings in six months. Telling a still menstrating woman she could have bladder cancer after one of the most common findings there is was ludricrous and frankly cruel in my opinion to scare somebody less informed than I am into thinking she had cancer.

Bottom line: I firmly believe my local medical facility has adopted a practice of unnecessary testing. It would not shock me that others have done so as well.

The fact that they are in no rush leads me to believe they are looking to collect on your insurance or you if it's not covered. If you can be content with the what if, don't stress. If you'll worry and can afford the time and money to check further, do it. And you can always have your scans looked at by a third party too if you want a second opinion as well. Done that myself too. 

Good Luck! 

[on the bay]

Yes, I forgot to mention that the regular mamogram for my daughter was covered 100% by her insurance but at the call back and the ultrasound, she had to pay $300!

They've got women between a "rock and a hard place" no pun intended because who wants to worry and not go back to make sure?!

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Try not to worry, @Tinkrbl44.  Yes, easier said than done.  My mammograms have always come back fine, until my most recent one about six months ago.  There was something suspicious so I had to go back for them to get a better look.  I spent a month waiting for that appointment and being anxious about what they might find.  It all turned out to be fine too.

It's possible that they are still busy with ladies who missed getting their mammograms during Covid restrictions and are now getting caught up.  Yes, mid-June does seem like an unusually long wait.  Maybe you can ask the scheduler to flag your appointment and move it up if they get a cancellation.  

[Shelbelle]

Over the years I have been called back 3 times for various reasons. Always a good outcome, Hang in there!!!

[Shelbelle]

I doubt that your next appt is an MRI, it will most likely be unltrasound or compression xrays. MRI's of the breast are usually done after a diagnosis of cancer before treatment is decided on. 

Based on my own experince call backs are usually done right away, and not 2 months later.