Question on Mammograms

[Mom2four85]

Hi I've had some medical things going on lately and had a mammogram done recently just to be safe.  

Some background info - I'm a 42 yr old female; my mother had breast cancer at age 38 which recurred at age 45; and spread to Ovarian, Uterine & Lung cancer and she finally passed away at age 52.  She had 5 sisters;  all but 1 sister has had breast cancer - 3 still living that I know of.

In Nov 2005, I noticed a mass in my left underarm area - the doctor examined it and sent me to have a mammogram which came back Negative.

Can anyone interpret the findings for me please? With my family history should I be having a different type of mammogram?

Biateral Diagnostic Mammogram - 12/05/05

History: Mass in left axilla

Findings: No axillary masses are visible on this mammographic study.  There is evenly distributed fibroglandular tissue with a large amount of fibrofatty stroma.  No masses or clustered calcifications are seen.  No skin thickening is seen.

Impression:  Unremarkable study.

Bi-Rads Category:  1PF - Negative


Biateral Screening Mammogram - 6/26/2009

History: Family History of breast cancer

Findings: The breasts are mild to moderately dense in a patchy fashion with vague nodularity on the left without suspicious new spiculation.  There are benign calcifications without suspicious change.

Impression:  Mild to moderately dense breasts  without suspicious change.

Bi-Rads Category:  2 - Benign

Notes -
A.  A negative mammogram report should not delay biopys if a dominant or clinically suspicious mass is present.  At least 5 to 15% of cancers are not identified by x-ray or mammography. [what else can find breast cancer?]

B. A negative resport may reinforce clinical impression. [It's benign; is that the same thing as Negative? What can cause these changes?]

C. Adenosis and dense breasts can obsure underlying neoplasm. [what's this mean?]

D. Mammography as a screening exam is not apprpriate for use in patients who have breast symptoms such as a lump or abnormal discharge from the nipple.  These patients need to have a more comprehensive examination. [what type is there?]

Just wondering about the differences in tests since I had them both done at the same radiologist, the first one there are no notes like on the 2nd one.

Thank you in advance for the responses.

[Mom2four85]

Wonderful and thank you for the quick response

[japdip]

I see no real difference in the two reports except expected changes due to the time interval. Both are negative without recommendation of shorter than normal interval re-check. I would think that the extensive notes are just a change in procedure. I would advise however that since you have such an extensive family history of BC that you might think about Genetic testing for the BC gene and if positive have more frequent exams than would normally be recommended. A good Breast Specialist and also some Gene Counselling might be a good idea.    Regards ....