Does an Abnormal Mammogram Mean I Have Cancer?

An abnormal mammogram result can be scary, but it’s common — with about 10% of women returning for more testing. However, only about 7% of those return patients are diagnosed with breast cancer. Read on to learn about what causes abnormal findings.

No one wants to hear that their outcome of a health screening is "abnormal," especially not after a mammogram, when the findings could be breast cancer. Fortunately, most questionable results are benign — though in an abundance of caution, it's always important to get fully checked out.

At The Breast Place in North Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Jennifer Beatty and our dedicated team work in partnership with patients to treat all of their breast care needs. Whether you've had an abnormal mammogram or you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, we provide compassion and hope along with the latest protocols, techniques, and treatments throughout your health journey.

Mammograms

Mammograms are low-dose X-rays that help detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is less invasive and likely to be more successful. They have an accuracy rate of about 87% and can find the disease before symptoms appear. Detection is more successful in women over age 50 and those with fatty rather than dense breasts.

False positives

Abnormal results — also known as false positives — do occur. In fact, about one in 10 women in the United States gets called back for further testing following a mammogram. Of these women, however, only about 7% end up with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Reasons for callbacks

There are a range of reasons why a woman might be asked to return for further evaluation following a mammogram. They include:

Poor images

One simple explanation is that the X-ray images weren't clear or missed part of the breast tissue and need to be redone.

Dense breasts

Women with more fibrous and glandular tissue than fat tissue are categorized as having dense breasts. This can make it more difficult to detect cancer as well as increase the chance of developing breast cancer. In some cases, additional screening tests may be recommended after a mammogram to get a better view.

Other health conditions

Mammograms can also pick up other health issues including cysts, benign breast lumps known as fibroadenomas, and calcifications (which most often are noncancerous). If breast tissue appears in a distorted shape or pattern, you should typically have it checked out as well.

Further diagnostic testing and recommendations

Additional testing is personalized and may include more X-rays and other imaging such as an ultrasound or MRI. Your provider could suggest aspirating a cyst or performing a biopsy.

Depending on the results, advice can range from resuming the usual mammogram screening schedule or having another mammogram in six months.

Whether you need a mammogram or you’ve received abnormal results and are seeking a more in-depth evaluation, we can help. Book an appointment online or call The Breast Place today at 843-797-1941.