How much exposure from mammo x-rays is harmful?

[yorkiegirl]

I had a yearly screening mammo done in April.  I was called back to have additional views taken along with spot compression views.  I waited 6 months, and did the above all over again.  The architectural distortion still persisted, so stereotactic needle biopsy was performed, resulting in 12 more mammo x-rays during this procedure.  
I am happy to report my results were fine - no cancer, but now I worry about all the radiation exposure!  (My family has had a lot of breast cancer.)  The surgeon told me I have to come back in 2 months for yet another mammo to see the clip position and make sure the biopsy was done in the distortion area.  What's that all about?
I really don't want to do more x-rays.  Haven't I had too many x-rays already?   Also, with the 12  x-rays taken during the procedure, how could the tissue samples NOT be taken from the correct area?  I don't understand the need for me to come back again in 2 months to check.  Maybe you could explain that as well.  Thank you.

[japdip]

The exposure is minimal and one must consider the amount over a lifetime .... X-rays are often necessary and the benefit always outweighs the risk. You might ask the Surgeon the "why" question and also the Radiologist when you schedule the follow-up films. If the biopsy was done under guidance then there should be no doubt as to it being done in the correct location.  Regards ....

[yorkiegirl]

Thank you for your reply.  I, too, questioned the surgeon about getting tissue samples from the area of distortion when I was confused about the bruising being in a location different than where it was determined the distortion was occurring.  He explained the breast is compressed and the pooled blood could land anywhere.  So my question back to him was, so you took tissue samples from the distortion area, right?  His "smart remark" was, "one would hope so." I asked if he was teasing and he said "I don't tease about things like this."  I don't know if he was offended by my question, but if one takes 12 mammogram images during a stereotactic needle biopsy, isn't that "guided"?  I am asking you or any other reader of this forum because I don't care for him much and certainly don't want to ask him more questions.  Thank you again.

[japdip]

Oh I think you should continue to question him .... it's your right after all. If there is some conflict then I would look for another Surgeon. The biopsy would certainly have been done under guidance if any type of filming were used during the procedure. It is true however what he said about the compression of the tissue. Often if you bruise rather easily the bruised area extends way beyond where the initial injury happens to be .... this is true with surface bruising on any part of the body as well. Regards ....