Ultrasound Needed After Mammogram?

Apparently, I have "fibrous tissue" and I wish we could skip straight to the ultra-sound because I am going to have to get one every time. :/ I have recently had it explained to me that the ultra-sound and mammogram don't "see" precisely the same things and so, the docs like to have both for me.

This used to happen to me all the time because of fibrocystic breast disease and density. I also had a variety of repeat mammograms and a number of biopsies of different types. With digital imaging, the frequency reduced. When I got rid of all my cysts through dietary supplements and my doctor couldn't find them anymore, I also found the number of callbacks dropped to zero. (Same thing happened on my pap smears, interestingly enough.)

I also think there's a cover-their-butt aspect to the warnings and the "offers" of more tests. You can always call your doctor and discuss whether a baseline test makes sense.

Not uncommon. I would go for the ultrasound.

Yes, common. I get the call back request every time and I always go. I've talked to my Gyn about it (with some frustration at having to go twice every time). She said that it's best to go, because the mammogram can't 'see' what's going on in the dense tissue. She also said that as women age, breasts become less dense and eventually I won't have this issue anymore.

So, until then, I just plan on going, and then going again a week later.

I always get mammo and an ultrasound.

My best friend has extremely dense breat tissue. She gets an ultrasound.

In my research (my mom died of breast cancer) I have learned/discovered that ultrasound actually gives a clearer picture of what is actually in the breasts and when used properly it can detect more cancer than the mammogram. It is also safer.

Now you are probably asking the same question I asked then why not have women do the ultra sound instead of the mammogram? The Answer: MONEY and TRAINING. Ultrasound techs would need to be trained on what exactly to look for and/or at and the costs of an ultrasound is higher than the costs of a mammogram. Also there is technology being developed to make an ultrasound machine specifically for breast use but it is still in the developing stages.

I say you should err on the side of caution.

My mom made decisions based on her personal beliefs and out of fear and those decisions lead to her cancer spreading and her death but it was her life to live and die as she saw fit and I know it was just her time.

I hope this helps.

Updated

My best friend has extremely dense breat tissue. She gets an ultrasound.

In my research (my mom died of breast cancer) I have learned/discovered that ultrasound actually gives a clearer picture of what is actually in the breasts and when used properly it can detect more cancer than the mammogram. It is also safer.

Now you are probably asking the same question I asked then why not have women do the ultra sound instead of the mammogram? The Answer: MONEY and TRAINING. Ultrasound techs would need to be trained on what exactly to look for and/or at and the costs of an ultrasound is higher than the costs of a mammogram. Also there is technology being developed to make an ultrasound machine specifically for breast use but it is still in the developing stages.

I say you should err on the side of caution.

My mom made decisions based on her personal beliefs and out of fear and those decisions lead to her cancer spreading and her death but it was her life to live and die as she saw fit and I know it was just her time.

I hope this helps.

My doctor only goes that further step if something is "suspicious" about the mammogram. That disclaimer is just to cover their tail...just like the warning label on prescriptions.

My doctor always writes a script for a mammogram and an ultrasound but I have several cyst sizable cyst (5 + cm) that can be felt. I always have the mammogram then immediately have an U/S where they tell me they are in fact fluid filled cysts.