Having an abnormal mammogram doesn’t guarantee you have cancer, but it’s essential to find an expert you can trust to find the answers. As the only private breast care specialist in the Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Sean T. Canale, MD, FACS, brings more than 20 years of experience and personalized care to Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA. If you’ve had an abnormal mammogram, you can schedule a same-day or next-day appointment online at Carolina Breast Care Specialists to get answers fast.
It can be scary to have an abnormal mammogram, but less than 10% of women who have to undergo additional testing end up having breast cancer.
There are several reasons why you can have an abnormal mammogram, including:
You can also have an abnormal mammogram because the images weren’t clear and needed retaking. It’s also common for women having their first mammogram to get called back for additional testing because they don’t have previous mammograms for comparison.
Dr. Canale has specialized training in breast care and relies on innovative screening methods, like ultrasound, to reach an accurate diagnosis quickly.
After having an abnormal mammogram, Dr. Canale might recommend a diagnostic mammogram. This test is similar to your initial screening mammogram, but takes more pictures to fully capture any areas of concern. During a diagnostic mammogram, a radiologist is also present to ensure your mammogram technologist obtains the necessary images.
Dr. Canale might also perform ultrasound testing to look at your breast tissue. This noninvasive test uses sound waves to make images of the inside of your breast and can provide additional information about abnormal mammogram images.
Depending on these images, Dr. Canale might recommend additional tests or ultrasound-guided biopsy.
Ultrasound-guided biopsy provides Dr. Canale with a minimally invasive approach to analyzing questionable breast tissue. There are several different methods for collecting tissue samples using ultrasound, but Dr. Canale often recommends cyst aspiration or breast biopsy.
During ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration, Dr. Canale uses a small needle to extract fluid from your breast mass. If he can't extract any fluid, Dr. Canale might recommend a tissue biopsy using a thin, hollow needle.
After obtaining your tissue sample, a specialist analyzes it to determine whether you need an additional biopsy or if there are signs of cancer present.
Dr. Canale works closely with you to determine the next steps in your breast care based on these results.
For more information on abnormal mammograms, call Carolina Breast Care Specialists, or schedule an appointment online today.
