Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

results of a mammogram

A mammogram taken three days ago came back with a"shadow" and another test is required, perhaps an ultra sound. This person is around 53 years old and has never had a breast cancer scare before in previous mamograms.  What does a "shadow" really mean? Should this person worry?Her mother has not had breast or ovarian cancer. However, her aunts both died from ovarian cancer. Does that effect her chances of getting breast cancer?
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A related discussion, thermography was started.
Helpful - 0
242527 tn?1292449140
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear springchicken:  It is not uncommon for a person to be called back to check on an abnormality in a screening mammogram.  In many cases, this turns out to be tissue that may have folded over on itself and will smooth out with additional films focused on that area (spot compression).  If it does not clear, then further investigation, possibly including ultrasound and biopsy will be recommended to further characterize the abnormality.  That her aunts have both had ovarian cancer raises the question of a genetic mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2) in the family.  However, as there is no first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with these problems, it is less likely to be the case for her.  A genetics counselor could review her family history and make a better judgment of whether there is any risk to this person based on her aunts’ history.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This person should definitely not worry.  The overwhelming majority of the time, the "shadow" turns out to be just normal breast tissue that superimposed over other normal breast tissue forming what's referred to as a summation artifact.  But they can't be sure of that until they get some more views at different angles, etc.  Then, if the shadow does turn out to be a real thing, the overwhelming majority of the time it will be a benign cyst or lymph node or fibroadenoma or other non-cancer thing.  Then, in the worst case scenario, if it turns out to be a cancer it is almost certainly completely curable because it was found on a screening mammogram in someone who gets annual screening mammograms--in other words, early enough.  Screening mammography has been shown to significantly decrease mortality from breast cancer by finding it before it can be felt and at an early enough stage where it is still curable, but the price is creating a ton of completely unneccesary anxiety in the process.  Even women who are called back for additional imaging simply for an x-ray exposure that needed to be repeated because it was too blurry to read will often subconsciously believe that they are somehow now at increased risk for breast cancer as a result of the callback.  It's important to try to resist the urge to worry until there is something real to worry about.  Breast cancer is a slow enough process that there will be plenty of time to worry after it's been established that there is something to worry about.  Anyway, easier said than done.

Ovarian cancer raises the possibility of a BRCA mutation, but less likely in the absence of a first degree relative with breast cancer.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Breast Cancer Forum

Popular Resources
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
From mammograms to personal hygiene, learn the truth about these deadly breast cancer rumors.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.