Should I be worried????

[pandora21]

I'm 44 years old and had my yearly mammogram on 12/03/10.  Got a call on 12/08 telling me they needed to do a diagnostic mammogram.  I had my 1st mammogram at the age of 37 because I wanted a baseline and I've been getting them every year after that (7 years now....).  At my baseline screening I was called back due to "something" which turned out to be a water-filled cyst in my left breast.....nothing of concern, and every year thereafter I've been given "normal" results.  

Now this is what my report says:

The breast parenchyma is heterogenously dense limiting the sensitivity of mammography. In the outer right, posterior depth, on the right CC view, there is a focal area of asymmetry for which additional imaging is recommended. On the right MLO view, a focal area of asymmetry is also identified for which additional imaging is recommended.

IMPRESSION:
1. Focal asymmetry in the outer right breast, posterior depth for which additional imaging is recommended. Ultrasound can be performed as indicated.

2. Focal asymmetry in the central posterior right breast noted on the right MLO view for which additional imaging is recommended

ASSESSMENT: ACR BIRADS Category 0: Incomplete.

I am going back to tomorrow and I'm really freaking out.  About once or twice a month my breasts get really tender and I've been attributing it to hormones.  I am 44 years old afterall, so I figured my body is starting to change.  Do you think I have something to worry about???   My Right breast is usually more tender than the Left, and it has always been slightly smaller than the Left as well.  Not sure if the tenderness is indicative of something else other than hormonal changes???

Any advise is greatly appreciated!!

[pandora21]

Hello!  Well, I went for my follow-up mammogram and ultrasound, and everything is a-ok!!  Apparently the images of the R breast were not too clear because some of the tissue had folded over itself????  The 2nd set of images were more clear and showed normal breast tissue (Thank God!!).  She also did the ultrasound to ease my mind, and again, everything looks good.

Thank you very much for responding.  It is very scary to be called back.  The wait is killer!!!

Take care...  ;-)

[japdip]

I see nothing to be "freaking out" about here ... these areas just need to be magnified and looked at more closely which I presume will be done as recommended. Breast tenderness is not at all unusual and rarely indicates anything serious. I'm sure you will have more in the way of an answer after your additional views and done and read by the Radiologist. We always worry when something is not quite right or normal so I won't bother telling you not to do this but try to keep it to a minimum if you can.  Take care and let us know your results if you have any questions about them.