How Soon Does a Radiologist Read Mammogram

Getting your annual mammogram is i of the best ways to have charge of your health. When you lot get screened for cancer, you're doing the very important piece of work of prioritizing preventive care. But if you finish up getting a follow-up telephone call about findings from your exam results, that tin can be stressful.

Have a deep breath: A follow-up from your mammogram doesn't automatically mean cancer. According to the American College of Radiology, about ten% of women are called dorsum for more tests. And the American Cancer Society reports that fewer than 1 in 10 of those women who are screened further notice they have cancer.

Nosotros understand you may be broken-hearted if yous're called dorsum after your mammogram. Know that we'll do everything we tin can to support you, answer your questions and help put your mind at ease. Here'south what happens later on you have a mammogram and what it ways when you're asked to return for more tests.

Screening Mammograms

Routine mammograms are referred to as screening mammograms. The images taken at your screening mammogram are read past a radiologist within a few days of your appointment. You'll exist contacted afterward (by mail service, phone or AdventHealth app) near whether the mammogram is normal or if you need to return for follow-up tests, and the report volition also exist sent to your doctor.

If you haven't had a mammogram in the past year and yous're over age xl with no abnormal symptoms, you can self-refer for a screening mammogram. Just make an engagement and take the results sent directly to you.

If You're Called Back

There are several reasons you might be chosen dorsum in for more than imaging:

• Some pictures weren't clear

• Y'all have dumbo breast tissue

• The radiologist sees an expanse that appears abnormal

• The radiologist sees a cyst, calcification or mass

If you're called back, we'll explicate the next steps based on what your radiologist recommends. Usually, this includes a diagnostic mammogram, chest ultrasound or breast MRI. Proceed in listen that the vast majority of women who need farther diagnostic testing exercise not end upwards having cancer. But if your care team needs to take a closer look, here are the tools they might use.

Diagnostic Mammograms

Similar your screening mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram is an X-ray of your chest. The experience volition be similar and your technician volition concentrate on getting additional images of your breast from different angles.

Breast Ultrasound

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make up one's mind if a mass is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid lump. Information technology can prove all areas of your breast, including tissue closest to your chest wall that'south difficult to report with a mammogram. It's besides non-invasive, painless and doesn't expose you lot to radiation. You'll lie on a tabular array as a technician moves a handheld device chosen a transducer across the tissue to view any areas of business organization.

Breast MRI

A breast MRI may be performed along with a mammogram or other imaging procedure if y'all're at a college risk of chest cancer. It captures multiple images of your tissue, which are then combined using a computer to generate detailed pictures. In some cases, it's done afterward a biopsy tests positive for cancer.

Reading Your Follow-Up Results

After you've had an additional screening, your radiologist will explain your results and next steps. You lot'll likely be told i of three things:

• The suspicious area is beneficial (not cancerous) and you can render to having annual mammograms

• You lot'll demand your next mammogram sooner than normal (usually in four to half dozen months) to monitor the expanse

• Y'all need a biopsy to rule out the presence of cancer

If You Need a Biopsy

If you need a biopsy, you'll exist connected with a chest imaging coordinator who will reply whatsoever questions you have. A biopsy doesn't mean y'all have cancer, but it's the all-time way to know for sure. During the procedure, a small amount of tissue or fluid is removed from your breast.

There are several types of biopsies. The blazon performed depends on how suspicious the area appears, how big it is, where it is in the breast, how many areas are present, other medical problems yous might have and your personal preferences.

Afterward the sample is collected, it's sent to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist. Your results are typically ready inside a few business days.

If Your Biopsy Is Negative

If your biopsy rules out cancer, the radiologist may recommend you come up dorsum in a few months for a follow-upward mammogram or ultrasound of the chest that was biopsied.

If Your Biopsy Is Positive

If cancer is discovered, know we're here to guide you at every stride toward recovery. We'll connect you with an oncology nurse navigator who works with your principal care doctor to find the best path forrad for y'all. Residual assured our team of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and wellness experts, all within the same network of care, are ready to create your individualized handling program.

Preventive Care Protects Your Long-Term Wellness

You may never experience abnormal results or a telephone call back for more imaging. Whatever your circumstances, nosotros're here to brand your mammogram experience as smooth, simple and comfortable as possible. Your whole health — in body, mind and spirit — is our priority.

Don't permit questions and concerns continue y'all from a potentially life-saving screening. Reach out and permit us get yous the answers y'all demand.

Learn more nigh our cancer care  hither and schedule your mammogram today.

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Source: https://www.adventhealth.com/blog/getting-results-what-expect-after-your-mammogram

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