Question about mamograms

I turned 40 over the summer and got my first mamo. At the screening the woman said everything looked fine and she'll send to my Gyn.
A few days later the doctor called and said I have dense breasts so to go for a more in-depth mamo and sent over a script. We do have insurance through Obamacare with a high deductible so insurance we have said they only cover one a year. Since a lot of people I spoke with said that happens a lot I didn't think about it or worry and figured I'd get another one next year, which our insurance is up in Jan so I can probably go in January.
Anyway, my best friend also turned 40 and she went through the same thing only her insurance covered the 2nd screening so she went. Well, after that the doctor said that she had 2 masses and they want her to go for a biopsy. She's a little worried and I am for her, but hoping it's nothing.
Now I'm thinking I should just go and get mine just to be safe. Better to wait until we get our new insurance? Thoughts! Any help with my friend? Praying everything is ok and will have to wait a couple of weeks for her biopsy. Thanks!

Question about mamograms

Of course you should go!!!! My first Mammo was 35, no family history, but that is the age all my doctors recommend. They all feel 40 is way too long to wait. But don't be panicked, very common to have dense breasts that need a sono, I have them myself.

Re: Question about mamograms

Re: Question about mamograms

I am 50.
I also have dense breast tissue and routinely have a sono in addition to the mammogram.
This year's mammo was clear, but the sono turned up a cyst that has suspicious margins. No biopsy but this needs to be followed with a second sono in 6 months.

Are you covered for a sono instead of a second mammo ?

eta : hoping is all well with your friend.

Message edited 11/17/2016 8:41:19 AM.

Re: Question about mamograms

Re: Question about mamograms

I get them because I am high risk. I've been doing them since about 30 years old. Dense breasts are common but if they are asking for more images, I would do it despite the cost. Better safe than sorry.

Re: Question about mamograms

Message edited 11/17/2016 9:10:57 AM.

Question about mamograms

I have dense breasts and get a mamo and breast sono. My mamo usually comes up clear but my sono i the one that actually shows things.

Personally I would pay whatever it was to have peace of mind

Re: Question about mamograms

I was told to go for my first mamo at 35 because of family history. I went this summer and was told I have dense breasts and got a scrript for a sonogram, which was covered by insurance. I would ask your doctor for a script for a sono instead and then see if that is covered

Question about mamograms

Go! I too have dense breasts and due to family history, I have to go for a yearly mammo and sono and I get and pay for the higher quality mammo as well. The higher quality mammo found a spot on my breast and while I didn't need a biopsy when they found it 6 months ago, I now have to go for an MRI every 6 months. Better to be safe than sorry!!

Message edited 11/17/2016 11:00:15 AM.

Re: Question about mamograms

I would go. I was told 2 years ago that I had dense breasts after a mammo but no need to go back for additional screening. Last mammogram it came back the same and I insisted on a sono and it showed up that I had a cyst. I followed that up with another sono and this time it came back with two cysts!! They are saying they are just cysts and not to worry but its in the back of my head all the time. I go every 6 months now for sonograms. My insurance does not cover the sono which frustrates me and I pay $300 out of pocket each time. But I feel like its worth the $$

Good luck to your friend. I feel a biopsy in my future if there are more cysts on the next visit.

Re: Question about mamograms

I went at 35 for my baseline mammo. I have dense breasts so at 36 I got a baseline sono. At 37 I'm going back for mammo and sono. My dr (and I agree with him) would rather be cautious than not.