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Mammograms are an important component of healthcare maintenance and preventive care, especially in the early detection of breast cancer. However, the medical terms, assessment scores and other information in mammogram results can be challenging to understand for many patients.
This guide will help you understand the medical terminology, assessment scores and what your mammogram results mean for your health. Keep in mind that your doctor will provide the official interpretation of your report during your follow-up appointment or phone call. For those who also want early access to their mammogram results, PocketHealth offers fast, secure access to your report and will notify you once it is available. This allows you to review your results and prepare any questions for your doctor in advance.
It’s useful to understand the key elements typically found in a routine mammogram report. Here is a quick overview of what to expect:
A mammogram report might consist of several terms that can be difficult to interpret. With PocketHealth Report Reader, the complex medical terms in your report are translated into easy-to-understand language, enabling you to gain better insight into your health and approach your next doctor’s appointment with confidence.
BI-RADS is an acronym for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. It is commonly used to describe mammogram findings. The BI-RADS assessment categories range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating a greater probability of breast cancer risk. Here is an overview of each category that you might encounter on a mammogram report sample:
Category | Description | Explanation |
0 | Incomplete due to visibility issues or malfunctions | If the radiologist can’t get a clear view of the images, this counts as a 0 score and the scan may need to be repeated |
1 | Negative for malignancy | No malignancy or abnormalities found. Breasts are symmetrical |
2 | Non-cancerous growth | Benign growth that is deemed non-malignant |
3 | Probably benign finding | A growth that is highly likely to be benign was detected. Repeat mammogram recommended in 6 months |
4 | Suspicious abnormality | Finding could be cancerous but doesn’t resemble it. Biopsy recommended to rule out malignancy |
5 | Finding likely malicious | At least a 95% chance of malicious results. Biopsy and other next steps to be taken |
6 | Confirmed malignancy | For patients with a confirmed breast cancer diagnosis, this score is used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments |
If your mammogram results give you a BI-RADS score of 0-3, this is considered a negative result, meaning it is unlikely you have breast cancer. It is still recommended to get regular breast screenings, regardless of your score. Here is a quick summary of the negative BI-RAD scores:
A BI-RADS score of 0 signifies incomplete mammogram results. This may be due to issues with interpreting or reading the images, or other problems with visibility. A final evaluation will require additional imaging to ensure accuracy.
This score indicates your report is negative. There is no cancer detected and your breasts are equally dense. There are no suspicious lumps or calcifications and you appear to have normal breast cells.
This score indicates that a growth was discovered but was deemed non-cancerous, and your results are considered normal. Examples of growths in this category include benign cysts and masses, calcifications and scar tissue from previous procedures. This scan can serve as a comparative baseline for future mammograms, allowing technicians to identify any new imaging findings.
This score suggests that a finding—such as a mass, growth, or calcification was detected on your mammogram, but it is most likely benign. The chance of it being cancer is very low (around 2%), but a follow-up mammogram in six months is recommended to monitor for any changes. This approach helps avoid unnecessary biopsies while keeping a close watch on any developments. Your physician may recommend repeating these six-month scans for up to two years to ensure the growth remains stable and non-cancerous.
The remaining BI-RADS categories are considered abnormal or positive mammogram results and typically require follow-up and additional testing to rule out or diagnose breast cancer. Here’s what categories 4 through 6 can indicate and some clarification on what causes abnormal mammogram results:
This score reflects that an abnormality was found that could be cancer but does not completely resemble cancer. A biopsy is frequently recommended to rule out possibilities. The overall chance of it being cancer is around 20-35 percent. There are also subcategories:
This score means the radiologist who reads the mammogram results suspects a high probability of cancerous findings, at least a 95 percent chance. Next steps should be taken, including a biopsy.
This score is only applicable to individuals who have already had an official biopsy and breast cancer diagnosis. The mammogram is then used to assess how well treatments, such as radiation, surgery and chemotherapy, are working.
Breast density affects mammogram visibility and can also influence the risk of breast cancer. Patients with very dense breasts have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, and it can make abnormalities harder to detect on imaging. Breast density is a reference to the ratios of fibroglandular and fat tissues. Increased fibrous tissue means increased density.
Here are the four categories for breast density:
The term “asymmetrical” refers to the breasts that are different from each other. It’s common for a patient’s breasts to have small differences in size, shape and other structural components, and it doesn’t usually point to cancer. On mammograms, asymmetry can present as white areas different from the normal tissue composition.
Though many of these situations end up being benign, doctors tend to investigate cases where breast density is asymmetrical or if there is a new change in the structure or size of one breast. Patients with high breast density can have up to six times the breast cancer risk compared to women with low breast density in the same age range.
Differences in tissue patterns or breast density, particularly when found in a specific, localized area, are referred to as focal asymmetry. General breast asymmetry, on the other hand, denotes overall differences between the two breasts.
Breast image reporting can reveal various “findings,” many of which are completely normal. Here is a general overview of some of these terms you may encounter.
Mammogram showing normal breast tissue
If you are wondering what a mammogram looks like, the images are displayed in black, white and gray tones. Darker, transparent tones indicate mostly fatty breast tissue, which allows anomalies to appear more clearly as they show up white on the scan. Dense breast tissue also appears white, which can make it more challenging to detect anomalies but doesn’t necessarily mean that your findings are abnormal. Normal breast tissue on your mammogram generally indicates symmetry and shows no lumps, calcifications, or other irregularities and has a BI-RAD category of 1.
Mammogram showing a benign tumor (classified as BI-RADS category 2)
A nodule is another term for a breast lump, growth or mass. Often, these are benign (such as cysts or non-cancerous tumors), but they can also indicate breast cancer. The shape and behavior of the nodule play a role in the diagnosis. Most benign nodules are smooth, have well-defined borders and are moveable. They may also be sensitive or tender to the touch.
Cancerous tumors are often firm and do not move easily. They are frequently painless and may have a spiked or uneven appearance on the mammogram. Other changes in the breast tissue around the nodule can also suggest cancer. Generally, doctors recommend biopsies, repeat imaging or further testing to confirm or rule out such conditions.
As discussed earlier, breast density affects mammogram visibility. The denser the fibroglandular tissues, the more obstructed the image can be for detecting abnormal areas. Within mammogram results, fibroglandular densities are described, allowing doctors to decide if any additional steps should be taken. Currently, there are no specific screening recommendations for dense breasts, though medical providers may use additional imaging techniques, like breast MRIs, if they need better perspectives.
Mammogram showing a (rare) malignant calcification on the left breast
Breast calcifications are calcium deposits that appear as white spots on breast screenings. They are more common in postmenopausal patients and can show up as white lines or dots concentrated in the same area.
Most of the time, they are harmless, but sometimes they can be an early sign of breast cancer. For this reason, mammogram results calcifications are usually categorized as a 3 in the BI-RADS scale. This means a supplemental screening will be recommended in six months to look for any changes. Overall, they are generally considered noncancerous findings. Your doctor can discuss any questions with you but try not to panic. Malignant calcifications are very rare and usually the extra screenings are simply for the sake of caution.
You may see mention on your records of a “recall” requested by the radiologist or physician. This could indicate that the imaging showed a finding such as a mass or calcification, or indicated that tissue in one area of your breast looks different from the rest. Poor visibility can also necessitate a recall, as can unclear mammogram results, dense tissue obstructions and other clarity issues.
Regardless of the cause, a new scan can provide better insight. This is called a diagnostic mammogram because it focuses on a particular area rather than overall imaging. Although a recall request can be anxiety-inducing, it isn’t always a cause for worry. Fewer than 1 out of 10 people who have been called back are found to have cancer. Most of the time, the findings end up being completely benign.
Many patients have questions about what factors might influence their mammography results. Here are some commonly asked questions.
You may be surprised to find that being on your menstrual cycle can affect your results in regard to visibility. For the best accuracy and comfort, scheduling the scan for the week after your period is ideal. Hormone levels and breast density can shift through the various stages of your cycle, affecting image clarity. The week after your period is when hormone levels and breast tissue changes are at their lowest, which makes abnormalities more visible. Breast tenderness is also at its lowest during this time.
Caffeine does not affect the outcomes of your mammogram reports. However, it is recommended that you avoid caffeine intake before your scan as it can cause breast tenderness and make the exam more uncomfortable. Physicians suggest avoiding caffeine for a day or two before your mammogram, or up to two weeks, depending on your caffeine sensitivity.
Yes, deodorant can impact the results of your mammogram. It’s important to avoid using deodorant, creams, lotions, or any substances on your chest or underarms before your appointment. These products can appear as white spots on the mammogram, potentially interfering with the clarity of the images. If you forget and apply any of these products, the technician can provide wipes or another method to clean the area before the scan to ensure accurate imaging.
If you have long hair and any of it accidentally gets on the image, it will necessitate a repeat scan. To avoid this, it is good to have your hair tied back at the time of your appointment.
If you have breast implants, it’s important to inform the imaging facility when scheduling your mammogram appointment. It is recommended to choose a facility experienced in screening patients with implants, as breast visibility can be obscured. To counter this, most technicians will take additional pictures and often use implant displacement views. In this method, the breast is pulled forward and the implant is gently pushed back against the chest wall, helping to capture clearer images of the breast tissue.
Patient reviewing their Mammogram report on PocketHealth
It’s common to experience anxiety while waiting for your results, even though most mammogram findings are typically normal. Try not to stress as you wait for your report. Here are some questions you may have about receiving your results.
The time frame for receiving mammogram results can vary based on the radiologist’s workload and your medical provider’s schedule. Reports can take anywhere from a few days to over a week. In some cases, patients may not receive their results until a follow-up appointment or a phone call with their doctor.
PocketHealth offers patients immediate access to their breast imaging results as soon as the final report is uploaded. This eliminates the need to wait for a follow-up appointment, giving you the opportunity to review your report and prepare informed questions for your doctor in advance. To further assist you in interpreting your results, Report Reader translates complex medical terminology into easy-to-understand language, providing clear definitions for terms in your reports.
Finding out that your results are abnormal may lead to anxiety, but try to remember that these findings are quite common. Typically, doctors will have you perform more tests or imaging following such results. This could include a diagnostic mammogram, a breast MRI or a breast biopsy. While it is understandable to be anxious, remember that most abnormal mammograms turn out to be benign. You may want to bring up any questions with your doctor so they can address your concerns.
Some patients may see their abnormal results before their doctor does. PocketHealth users gain access as soon as the report is uploaded, so you may see your records before your healthcare provider has a chance to discuss them with you. This was the case for Patti, who saw her breast cancer diagnosis in advance, giving her the chance to “…digest the information…” before her follow-up. Throughout her successful treatment, Patti studied her imaging reports, keeping her involved with her own health journey, which she says “…gave me control over something that was so uncontrollable.”
Another way to stay engaged in your health is through MyCare Navigator, a feature that generates personalized questions to ask your doctor based on your imaging reports. It also includes a follow-up detector that identifies any recommended next steps to discuss with your provider.
Staying informed about your breast health can help you advocate for your needs with your physician. Easy access to your records allows you to thoughtfully prepare any questions or concerns for your follow-up discussions. PocketHealth provides easy, secure access to all your imaging reports. Not only does this enhance your personal understanding, but it also simplifies sharing your records with specialists or other health care providers in the future.
