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Avatar universal

Why do you have to wait for mamogram results?

I found a lump in my breast and my doctor was able to see me the same day I called her.  She sent me to the hospital and had the mammogram and ultrasound.  She said to call the office in a couple of days which I did and they told me that the results weren't back from the hospital yet and I'll have to wait until Monday (three more days).  Why couldn't I have been told the results at the hospital since the xray tech kept taking my xrays to the doctor there while I sat in the waiting room.  My doctor is not in the office til Monday.  If the results were bad wouldn't they want to tell me immediately?  Or should I think, "No news is good news?"
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242527 tn?1292449140
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Lily2468:  In general, when a test such as a mammogram is ordered, the tech will check with the radiologist to make sure the film is of good enough quality but the films are not always read at that time.  When the radiologist reads the films, a report is generated and ultimately sent to your doctor.  There are a variety of ways this may happen.  Your doctor could call the radiologist and try to get information if it was read.  If it was a weekend, though, the report may not be available until the following week.  You might ask your doctor about the flow of information and when you can expect results.  You can't assume results in these situations.
Helpful - 0
492898 tn?1222243598
I agree with your frustration as ski1023 does. I would think that even if they did not tell you that they would have called your doctor immediately if there was anything abnormal and that then your doctor would have told you right away.

On the other hand, if there was a suspicion then maybe your doctor would have not called you but thought this can wait until Monday. It is also possible and this has happened with me, that they act all anxious and repeat tests and the technician consults with the radiologist, etc, and then she comes in a last time and says everything is normal and you can leave.

In fact, the technician when I have mammograms always ends up telling me that all is OK before I leave but not until she has gotten that message from the radiologist. But maybe that is because I had bc a couple of years ago and they do diagnostic tests for a few years after and which are always read by a radiologist immediately vs. other people whose films may not be looked at until a later time.

In any event, I find how they treated you unacceptable as well.

KAT
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Avatar universal
Hi Lily, I know how you feel.  I got my third mammo on THursday for microcalcifications.  They handed me a paper that said abnormal mammo discuss with your doctor. I called back an hour later to ask the bi-rad category and they would not tell me.  I said it is a long weekend to wait on this - sorry is what I got.  I called my gyno and she was able to find out that I need a biopsy so at least I got some information.  It is incredibly frustrating to wait to get your own health information when you know a radiologist looked at it. I don't think you can assume anything at this point.  Hang in there I know it is difficult.
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