Need More Breast Imaging? Here's Why

Getting called back after your screening mammogram to get additional testing can be scary. We know this isn't easy, but here's what you should know: callbacks happen frequently and rarely mean cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 10% of women who get mammograms are called back for more testing, and fewer than 1 in 10 of those women actually have cancer. The truth is, the vast majority of callbacks turn out to be harmless. Your doctor simply needs a closer look to be sure everything is okay.

Why You Need Additional Testing

If you need additional imaging, your mammogram simply showed something that needs a closer look. Mammograms are powerful screening tools, but they have limitations. Here's what might have triggered your need for a follow-up:

• Unclear images: Sometimes your doctor simply needs better pictures
• Calcifications: Small calcium deposits that appear as white spots
• A mass or unusual area: Most are benign cysts or normal tissue variations according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Dense breast tissue: Affects nearly 50% of women over 40 and can make mammograms harder to interpret

What Happens Next

Your doctor will recommend specific next steps based on what they saw:

• Diagnostic mammogram: Takes extra images from different angles to get a better view of the area in question – it is important to note here that this is not just a repeat of your screening mammogram
• Breast ultrasound: Determines whether a lump is solid or a fluid-filled cyst
• Breast MRI: A breast MRI may be used to provide more detailed imaging, and can help distinguish between benign and malignant findings. Breast MRIs are especially helpful tools for dense breasts where mammograms may be less effective.
• Biopsy: If an area still needs clarification, a small tissue sample will be examined. About 80% of breast biopsies turn out to be benign, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation

Each test brings you closer to a clearer answer.

📖 Read more about breast cancer imaging.

The Numbers Are Reassuring

False alarms from screening mammograms are common. According to research published by the NIH, more than 50% of women who get yearly mammograms will experience at least one false alarm over a 10-year period. While these callbacks can be stressful, they show that the screening process is working—catching even small changes so that, if cancer is present, it can be detected early, when it’s most treatable.

For those who do receive a breast cancer diagnosis after follow-up testing, early detection makes a huge difference. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 90% when caught early. This is why regular screening remains so important.

Following Up Brings Peace of Mind

If you’ve been called back after a mammogram, the best thing you can do is schedule your follow-up test(s) as soon as possible. Delaying additional imaging can cause unnecessary stress and, in rare cases, delay the start of treatment if cancer were found. Most follow-ups confirm that everything is normal. And if something does need further attention, you're already on the right path—finding it early gives you the best chance for effective treatment.

It's natural to feel anxious. Most follow-up tests do not lead to a cancer diagnosis. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to Defiant Health and ask—we are here to guide and support you. No matter what, you are not alone in this.