Results and Further Tests
Your results are mailed to you and your health care provider about two weeks after your mammogram. About 10 per cent of women will need further testing, which is arranged through a Fast Track system.
Further testing does not automatically mean breast cancer. Changes seen on an x-ray can also be due to calcifications in the milk gland or benign cysts. Out of 1000 women tested, about 70-100 will need further testing and only three or four women will be found to have cancer.
Fast Track
If further tests are needed, SMP has a Fast Track system in place and an appointment is scheduled as quickly as possible because we know waiting can be stressful. You will be called directly by a diagnostic office nearest to you to arrange an appointment.
Further Testing
Screening mammograms identify areas of concern in the breast that should be looked at more closely. Further tests can include one or more of the following:
- Diagnostic mammograms: takes x-rays of the breast area of concern found by the screening mammogram.
- Ultrasound: uses sound waves to produce an image of the breast area of concern found by the screening mammogram. It does not use radiation.
- Biopsy: takes a sample of tissue from the breast area of concern found by the screening mammogram.