Called back for a mammogram follow up

[footballmom]

I had my mammogram last week and my doctor’s office called the next day that I need to go back for an ultrasound (and maybe another mammogram but can’t remember exactly).  I’m trying to keep worry out of my mind, but the reason I called to schedule it to begin with was because I’ve had soreness / tenderness from under my left arm into the side breast, and this is the area they said was really dense on the mammogram and want to reimage.  I don’t feel a lump.  I have had the pain pretty consistently for the last few weeks and really felt it yesterday wearing a sports bra while running.  Of course, I can’t get in until late March.  Any one experience something similar with this type of pain? Again trying to stay calm but want to mentally prepare.

[Kassia]

I've been called back for another mammogram and u/s but never had any pain or symptoms - just very dense breasts.  I'm sorry you have this concern and have to wait so long to be seen.  That's a long time.  I hope they somehow can get you in sooner - that is awful to have to worry for so long.  😞  Sending hugs.  Hope someone else can be more helpful.

[J-rap]

I can't even tell you how many times I've been called back so they can get a better look!  Sometimes I feel things, sometimes I don't.  Sometimes I have pain.  Usually the pain is either a hormonal fluctuation (which can last for several weeks), or a cyst.  Cysts are no big deal (although they can cause a little pain) and I've had a lot.  Sometimes they can get quite big and they can be drained, but most of the time they go away on their own.   Sometimes the scars left by them show up as weird images on my mammogram, but now they've saved all the weird scar and other non-concerning images in my records, and because those just show up the same from year to year with no changes, no one worries about those.  My breasts are super dense as well.  In fact, I now go in for a yearly MRI as well as a yearly mammogram because of the density, and also breast cancer runs in my family.  My mother had breast cancer in both breasts when she was 44.  But, now she's 94!  I don't really worry about it anymore.  I feel like I'm in good hands and am being watched carefully.

I'm sorry you have to wait so long.  I remember how difficult that was for me the first few times.  Hopefully, and probably, it's nothing!

[lauraw4321]

Being called back is really common. And pain isn’t a common breast cancer symptom. 

[lovinmyboys]

I am pretty surprised you have to wait so long. I had a mammogram in October and they called me the next day to come in that day for a u/s and biopsy. I can’t imagine how anxious I would be if I had to wait several weeks. Mine turned out fine-I had a 3cm benign mass surgically removed a few weeks later and that was the end.
 

I think it is very common to be called back and hopefully the reason you aren’t scheduled sooner is because they aren’t too terribly worried about it. When I had my scare, so many women told me about being called back for extra testing after a mammogram. It seemed like everyone I told had at least one scare.

[PinkTulip]

I had this exact situation in November - same spot for pain and everything. It turned out to be a benign cyst that they said they would just leave alone.

Try not to stress until you have a reason to - it really could be nothing to worry about! ((Hugs))

[Selkie]

I've had many callbacks and all turned out okay. When you have dense tissue, they like to be very, very thorough.

Making you wait and stress out til late March is just wrong. I've never had to wait more than a week for a callback - usually it's just a few days. I would call them and explain that you're anxious and see if they could squeeze you in earlier. 

[ShepCarlin]

Oh yes, I've had call backs quite a few times. I have dense breasts also and they cause all kinds of trouble on mammograms. If you report to them you're experiencing pain I think between that and the dense tissue they have to show due diligence and call you back.

I have constant pain in my breasts. My breast care NP says dense breasts can be painful but it's not a symptom of breast cancer. She's advised me to always wear a bra which I am now reluctantly doing as I hate wearing bras but it helps so much with the pain. They just need to be contained. I sleep without the bra though, I do have my limits.

Is this your first mammogram or your first at this practice? Often, they need something to compare the mammogram to, especially with dense breasts. The first two years I started mammograms I had call backs. Then I had one brief reprieve and then the call backs started back up again. I finally found a place where the technician is really, really good and the last two years I've not had call backs.  Yours could simply be a bad image due to the way they placed the breast on the machine, you might have moved just a smidge when it took the image, it could be a thousand things that messed up the image. 

I'm sorry, I know the waiting is agony. The anxiety I feel every time is almost paralyzing. But the odds are on your side that it is nothing. I hope they can get you in earlier than March! That is a long time to wait. 

[cintinative]

My SIL has had that type of pain and it is because of benign cysts. I honestly can't imagine waiting until March to get those addressed--she usually has to have them drained to get relief (hers are fluid-filled). Maybe you could call and see if there is a way to get you in sooner since you are so uncomfortable?  I guess with COVID there could be backups, but I agree that waiting until March seems unusual. 

[mum]

I was going to chime in as well that pain isn't a typical breast cancer symptom and that I get called back EVERY time I have a mammogram. The first time I got a call back (on my very first mammo) I totally freaked out. But it turns out I have dense and cyst filled breasts. Now I know I'll get called back and it doesn't faze me a bit. That's not to say ignore everything, but it does seem that call backs are common. I usually have the 3D imaging, which is apparently better for dense breasts. 

[J-rap]

2 hours ago, cintinative said:

My SIL has had that type of pain and it is because of benign cysts. I honestly can't imagine waiting until March to get those addressed--she usually has to have them drained to get relief (hers are fluid-filled). Maybe you could call and see if there is a way to get you in sooner since you are so uncomfortable?  I guess with COVID there could be backups, but I agree that waiting until March seems unusual. 

This may be a good incentive for them to try and get you in earlier...if you make sure they know you're uncomfortable.  You can exaggerate the pain a little.  🙂 

[bibiche]

I always get called back and it’s always fine. Did you ask to be put on their cancellation list? That can often get you in sooner.

[footballmom]

Thanks, everyone.  Hearing similar experiences with good outcomes makes me feel better.  I’m on their cancellation list and the scheduler said she would ask the mammography supervisor about getting me in sooner.  This is the same place I always go so they have comparison images. 

[Catwoman]

3 minutes ago, footballmom said:

Thanks, everyone.  Hearing similar experiences with good outcomes makes me feel better.  I’m on their cancellation list and the scheduler said she would ask the mammography supervisor about getting me in sooner.  This is the same place I always go so they have comparison images. 

You can also keep calling them and asking if they have any cancellations. I know they have a list, but sometimes if you’re the first one to call and ask, you will be the one to get the earlier appointment. Also, if the office staff knows you’re nervous, that can go a long way toward getting in more quickly. 

[Hillside]

Good evening I had a mammogram 2 weeks ago got a letter today o have been called for further tests I am absolutely going out of my mind all was fine when I had my 1st mammogram 3 years ago I carnt feel any lumps anywhere please anyone else had this and what was the outcome I am not eating and so anxious 

[Harriet Vane]

It really could be nothing. I’ve been given extra tests every single time and there has always been a super-benign, no-big-deal explanation. I’d say it’s not time to panic yet. Get the tests and get more information.