Is it normal for a woman to be asked to come in for a second mammogram?

Question

An aquaintance of mine went in for her mammogram about a week or two ago and just got a call to come in for a second one. Is this out of the ordinary or does this sometimes happen? I have had a couple of people tell me that it CAN NOT be good. But are there circumstances that might cause the doctors to need a second look without it being bad news?

Answer 1

There are many reasons to come in for 2nd mammogram & your friend shouldn't assume it is all bad. There could be a false reading, breast tissue is too dense, etc. :)

Answer 2

There are a few reasons why a woman would be called back for more images after a mammogram. Vary rarely, the images are of poor quality or have an artifact on them. This doesn't happen often because the mammographer checks her images before she lets the patient leave. Occasionally, the mammographer will miss something that the radiologist catches.

More often, there is an area of the image that needs further evaluation. This could be because the patient has dense breast tissue. Dense tissue appears white on the x-ray film....and so do all signs of breast cancer (both masses/lumps or calcifications). You cannot see white pathology through white, dense tissue. Sometimes, compression views are needed in these cases, just to ensure nothing is "hiding" behind that white tissue.

Other times, the radiologist sees a mass or calcifications. Many masses and different types calcifications are benign. There are special views we can take (magnification views) which will show those exact areas better. In the case of microcalcifications, these images will show the edges of the calcifications in more detail, so the radiologist can determine which type they are. In the far majority of cases, the radiologist will determine they are benign....not cancer. Even after these special views, a radiologist might ask for a breast ultrasound, and maybe even a biopsy. Even if your friend goes as far as a biopsy, around 85% of these are benign.

So, it is not a bad sign to be called back for more images. It probably happens to about 1 in 10 women after their screening mammogram. Best wishes.......

Answer 3

That happened to me. I had a swollen milk gland in my left breast, and was called back for a second mammogram. Tell your friend that this can be a perfectly normal thing, and not to worry too much before she has the test. I know it can be scary, but better to have it checked out and be sure. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Well, I would not ask the question whether it is normal or not. It is a good thing that they want to take another look. If your acquaintance has had previous mammograms that the doctors can compare to than they are probably just being safe taking another look. If she has not than they may just want to make sure that the first result was accurate. Either way, it is a good thing to double-check.

Answer 5

yeah, I'm 24 and they had me come in for a second look d/t an uneven mass that they say sometimes develops in younger women and not to worry. The "density" usually goes away when you get older bc/ your breast tissue thins out.

Answer 6

I hope it s not bad news! But usually when they need to make sure of something they call you again to test again... maybe it s not such a big deal they may have found cyst or something, don t worry try to stay as positive as possible!

Answer 7

Sure it could be harmless cysts or a problem with the equipment,lots of not bad reasons.of course it is normal for her to be scared i would be. just remind her that even if it is cancer it is highly curable when caught early!

Answer 8

yes my wife had to go in for another one and it was just because she had a scar there and they just wanted to be safe. dont panic.