Understanding mammogram report?

I forgot to put all the details of my Mammo report in previously, it reads as: There is a Tiny nodular focal asymmerty within the lateral left breast middle depth on th CC view Without distinct corresponding abnormality on the 90 degree lateral view. The small nodular density within the medial left breast posteriorly is felt related to partial visualization of a Vascular loop, which was better visualized on the 2007 study..Can anyone tell me what all this means?/ I am 56 yrs. old with no family history of BC and no Hormone replacements. Tissue density is a rated a 2: scattered fibroglandular densities. I have to return for aadditional views..I am very scared.

My BI-RADS score for my lefrt breast is 0 (ACR BI-RADS 0) & for my right breast was is without evidence of suspicious abnormality.

It means there is a small solid-appearing area of tissue in your left breast somewhere on the side towards your armpit. The report does not offer measurements, but it does say "tiny," so odds are you cannot feel it.
It can only be seen on one view (the top-to-bottom view), so that is a good sign. Something bad will normally be clearly seen in both views. It mentions "vascular loop" so there is a chance they are seeing a vein in your breast coiled onto itself. Imagine standing on your feet, looking down at a garden hose coiled up.
Tissue density that is referred to as "scattered fibroglandular densities" means that you have fairly fatty breast tissue -- which is a good thing! Fatty breast tissue is easier to see through, meaning cancers are easier to detect.
The radiologist wants you to come back for additional views. They will probably do what is called "spot compression" or "coned compression" views of that particular area. They do this to find out if the area persists or simply disappears. Abnormal areas persist -- they don't go away, no matter what angle you look at them from. If it does go away, it will probably be termed "summation of shadows" -- fancy words for "false alarm."
Don't be scared if they ask for an ultrasound. Mammogrrams show the outside shadows of nodules, and ultrasound gives you a peek at the inside. The radiologist may want to ultrasound the area to find out if it is something solid, or if it is a fluid filled cyst -- which are benign.
Bi-rads category 0 means that your test is incomplete, until you return for additional views.

Good luck to you! Waiting for an appointment is always the hardest part. If your appointment is too far in the future, try calling every couple of days and asking them to check for cancellations.

I am so glad to hear that you received good news! Congrats to you! Report It

You need not be scared at all. This is best left to be determined by your Doctor rather than an attempt at self diagnosis. The report does not say anything about cancer. They are probably doing follow-ups to rule this out completely.

Hi, take a deep breath and calm down until you have more information.

As a woman who had breast cancer, I understand your panic right now and I'm glad you're getting involved in your health care. It's very very good to be as informed as possible so you make the best choices for yourself. Keep a notebook and folder of any reports and any questions you want to ask your doctors. As I went through my journey with this blasted disease, I needed to learn as much as possible in order to make choices. My doctors were constantly telling me my choices and asking me what I wanted to do. Without me learning a huge body of knowledge, how else can I go home and mull over my options? So keep on learning and questioning!

Now, let me give you some great websites.

1. http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/servi...
This is where you can type in your question and it's answered personally by an expert at Johns Hopkins hosp. It is so popular however that it's only open for new questions a few hours a week usually on the weekend. But you can search through others' questions and answers which is wonderful.

2. www.breastcancer.org Lots of patient education and also wonderful support on the message boards. They helped carry me through some tough times.

3. American Cancer Society--online and your local one

Okay...now remember they do a lot of call backs for additional films and it turns out to be nothing! It's very common.

And if there is a lump of some kind, the majority of lumps(something like 86%) turn out to be benign too.

Some facts all women should know. The majority of breast cancer happens in women who have no family history. I never realized this. My breast cancer was found after my first screening mammo. No family history. None of the touted risk factors. No hormones ever. I had my kids young and breastfed for a long time. Kept a healthy weight. Exercised my entire life. Ate a super healthy vegetable, fruit seafood diet my entire life. And I got it young.

It can happen to anyone. But remember most women do not get breast cancer so the odds are in your favor.

If your mammo films were rated on the birads scale, what were you rated from 0-5?