A screening mammogram does not determine the presence or absence of cancer-it does separate women who have normal findings from those who require additional evaluation. At that time, you will speak to the radiologist about your exam, and the results will be sent to your physician. Many factors other than breast cancer can cause an abnormal reading. It may be that overlapping normal shadows have created a worrisome appearance. Compression and extra views almost always resolve such problems.
Some benign conditions look like malignancies.
If other tests cannot definitively exclude the presence of malignancy, a biopsy may be necessary. Previous mammograms are frequently helpful in deciding the next step. Although screening mammography is important for early detection of breast cancer, you should also have a clinical breast examination annually and perform monthly breast self-examination. It is important to note that a negative screening mammogram does NOT guarantee freedom from disease. Some are obscured by other normal tissue, or may grow so slowly that change is not detectable from year to year.