Did You Receive a Callback From Your Mammogram? Here’s What You Need to Know

So, you recently had a mammogram and you’ve been asked to return for follow-up testing. What does a mammogram callback mean, and should you be worried? 

A callback after your regular breast cancer screening is a fairly common occurrence and doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. There are several reasons you may need a second appointment, but often, something that may have seemed abnormal on your initial mammogram turns out to be benign. 

We’ll consider common reasons for getting a callback after a mammogram, what further tests you might need, and possible outcomes.

Need to schedule your mammogram? As women providing care to women, our OBGYNs are the providers of choice for the Triangle region. We invite you to contact us today. 

What is a Mammogram Callback?

A mammogram callback is when you’re asked to come in for a follow-up appointment after a screening mammogram due to inconclusive screening results or abnormal findings. 

A screening mammogram is considered preventative and is meant to detect breast cancer early, before symptoms appear. When you come in for a callback, a common next step is what’s known as a diagnostic mammogram, which gathers more detailed images of your breasts to further examine potential abnormalities that turned up during your initial screening. Other imaging tests may also be recommended.

Should You Be Worried If You Are Asked to Return After a Mammogram?

While it’s normal to feel anxious about being called back in for additional imaging tests, it’s often a routine part of the screening process. In most cases, it doesn’t mean you have breast cancer.   

What may have looked abnormal on a mammogram often turns out to be benign, or noncancerous, and further tests are needed to investigate any areas of concern and rule out cancer. 

What Are Common Reasons for Getting Called Back After a Mammogram?

Getting called back after a mammogram can happen for several reasons. It’s more common after a first mammogram because there’s no previous mammogram to compare with the current one to identify changes in breast tissue. 

Other reasons you may receive a mammogram callback include:

• Images that are unclear or don’t show all your breast tissue
• Part of your breast looks different from other parts of the breast
• Cysts, which are noncancerous, fluid-filled sacs and may not require treatment
• Calcifications (small calcium deposits in your breast tissue) which are often noncancerous, but can sometimes indicate something abnormal
• Fibroadenomas, noncancerous breast lumps that often require no treatment but may need to be monitored for changes in size or appearance
• Dense breast tissue, which appears white on a mammogram the way tumors do, making it difficult to tell the difference between the two
• Substantial changes from previous mammograms 
• Tumors or suspicious masses, which may need further investigation to determine if the abnormality is benign or cancerous

We offer 3D mammography, which allows us to get clearer, more accurate images of breast tissue, reducing the possibility of false positives and the need for additional testing. 

What Types of Testing Might Happen at My Mammogram Callback Appointment?

As previously mentioned, your follow-up mammogram appointment may include a diagnostic mammogram. We may also recommend other tests to help us get a clearer picture of the breast tissue, such as a breast ultrasound or a breast MRI. In some cases, we may suggest a biopsy, in which small pieces of breast tissue are removed and examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells. 

What Are the Possible Outcomes of a Mammogram Callback?

Typically, your callback will result in one of the following:

• The suspicious area on the mammogram turns out to be nothing. You will be cleared and you can go back to your regular mammogram schedule.
• You will be cleared for now and asked to return for your next imaging test sooner than usual, typically within 6 months, so we can monitor potential areas of concern.
• If we believe there is the possibility of breast cancer, we’ll recommend a breast biopsy. Keep in mind that most breast biopsies don’t indicate cancer, but they are the only way to definitively determine if suspicious areas are cancerous.

Received a Mammogram Callback? Our Caring Team at Associates in Women’s Healthcare Can Help You Navigate Your Next Steps

If you’ve gotten a mammogram callback, it’s understandable to feel nervous. Keep in mind that the need for additional testing doesn’t automatically mean you have breast cancer. Often, a callback simply indicates that the radiologist needs more information to rule out potential concerns. 

Whether you need to schedule a regular breast cancer screening or a follow-up appointment for further imaging tests, we’re here for you. We invite you to experience why our OBGYNs in Raleigh are the providers of choice for the Triangle region. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.