Mammograms
hi all,
I know that this is a silly question, but I still have to ask. Do mammograms, especially mammograms that use tomosynthesis (3D) look at the entire breast or one specific area? I had a questionable area, the radiographer place a marker on the top of it, and then took the images. I received a Birads 2 but it makes me wonder if this specific mammogram actually looks at the entire breast? And then computer aided detection was used in the interpretation . My ultrasound and mammogram were about 2 weeks ago but my mind keeps spiraling.
Comments
-
Hi @rrobin0200, There are two types of mammograms that can be ordered, screening and diagnostic. It sounds like you had a screening mammogram that was not definitive (BIRAD 0) and were recalled for a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound to check out an area that couldn't be properly analyzed. Sometimes that happens due to how the breast is compressed by the tech.
Screening mammograms look at the entire breast while diagnostic mammograms zone in on the area of concern. Having the diagnostic imaging and getting a BIRAD 2 means that things looked normal on the more focused inspection. The clear US adds an extra element of certainty.
Diagnostic mammograms can give false negatives but the rate is pretty low (happened to me but no US was done.) IMO it's not worth spiraling about but I wouldn't skip any recommended screenings and would consult a doctor if symptoms appeared. BTW, no question is silly. I went about my life in ignorant bliss when my now retired PCP told me that a BIRAD 2 mammogram two weeks prior and no family history of breast cancer meant the strange feeling area deep in my chest was nothing to worry about. All the best.
2 -
thank you so much for replying! And actually, I believe that I just had the diagnostic mammogram done, not a screening. I went in with a lump, she did an ultrasound and concluded that it looked like fat necrosis but wanted a radiologist to actually look at it on a mammogram as well. So, only one ultrasound and one mammogram this time, giving a birads 2.
♥️♥️2
