Re: Mammogram call back

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

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.

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

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.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

tends2dogs · ‎05-08-2010

@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

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@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!

meem120 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

DSD2 · ‎01-09-2016

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. .

GabbyAnn · ‎12-19-2016

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.