Is it common to be called back for a diagnostic mammogram?

Getting called back after a screening mammogram is fairly common, and it doesn’t mean you have breast cancer. In fact, fewer than 1 in 10 women called back for more tests are found to have cancer. Often, it just means more x-rays or an ultrasound needs to be done to get a closer look at an area of concern.

What is the difference in a mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. While screening mammograms are routinely administered to detect breast cancer in women who have no apparent symptoms, diagnostic mammograms are used after suspicious results on a screening mammogram or after some signs of breast cancer alert the physician to check the tissue.

What percentage of diagnostic mammograms are cancer?

Of all women who receive regular mammograms, about 10 percent will get called back for further testing and of those, only about 0.5 percent will be found to have cancer. Your chances of being diagnosed with cancer after a callback are small, but your doctor wants to be sure there is no cancer present.

What is the next step after a diagnostic mammogram?

In the U.S., about 10-12 percent of women are called back after a mammogram for more tests. It’s always a good idea to follow up with your doctor about what to do next. The most likely next step is a diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound. In some cases, a breast MRI or a biopsy may be recommended.

What happens after a diagnostic mammogram?

Follow-up tests Sometimes, a follow-up mammogram (diagnostic mammogram) or breast ultrasound is done. If the finding doesn’t look like breast cancer (for example, it’s a cyst), no further testing is needed and you return to your regular schedule of breast cancer screening with mammograms and clinical breast exams.

How long does it take to get the results of a diagnostic mammogram?

You can usually expect the results of a screening mammogram within two weeks.

Why would a doctor order an ultrasound after a mammogram?

A breast ultrasound is most often done to find out if a problem found by a mammogram or physical exam of the breast may be a cyst filled with fluid or a solid tumor.

Should I worry about diagnostic mammogram?

You might be told: The extra tests showed nothing to worry about and you can return to your regular mammogram schedule. The results are probably nothing to worry about, but you should have your next mammogram sooner than normal – usually in 6 months – to make sure nothing changes over time.

How long do diagnostic mammogram results take?

It’s a simple imaging study that usually takes about 30 minutes. You typically have the results within a week or two. Most of the time, an abnormality seen on a mammogram isn’t cancer.

How many pictures are taken during a mammogram?

Most often, two pictures are taken of each breast — one from the side and one from above. A screening mammogram takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.