No Suspicious Change!

Almost two weeks ago, on September 22nd (the 84th anniversary of Mom’s birthday), after my 6-month follow up mammogram and ultrasound, I was changing back into my street clothes in the dressing room when I heard someone come into the waiting room and call the name “Jacqueline” to be next.

Hearing my mom’s name, although they pronounced it differently (emphasizing a “leen” sound, instead of “lynn” at the end), along with finishing my appointment with good news just before 2:22 (which was her lucky number), felt meaningful on her special day.

TLDR is “no suspicious change” and return/repeat in six months!

The official test results and message from my gynecologist (which was the exact same wording from March) said that:

“Everything continues to look stable. For “Bi-rads 3”: we repeat the breast imaging every 6 months for 2 years and if things continue to look stable, then we can switch back to yearly. For now: The radiologist recommends repeating in 6 months, to ensure everything continues to be low risk for breast cancer.“

More details include…

IMPRESSION: Stable appearance of the mammographic mass and corresponding septated cyst in the right breast 10:00 location on targeted right breast ultrasound dating back to March 2026. This finding remains probably benign.

RECOMMENDATION: Recommend 6 month follow-up bilateral diagnostic mammogram and right breast ultrasound to evaluate imaging stability of the right breast finding with continued two-year imaging surveillance; the patient will be due for routine left breast imaging at that time. Imaging findings, diagnostic considerations/etiologies, management options, and recommendations were discussed with the patient at the time of the ultrasound exam by Dr. M on 09/22/2026. The patient acknowledged the findings/recommendations and was agreeable to the imaging plan.

BI-RADS 3: Probably benign.

FINAL REPORT
Mammography Assessment: 3 – Probably benign

Recommendation: Follow-up at short interval

Breast Density: Scattered areas of fibroglandular density.

Narrative

Exam: MAMMO DIAGNOSTIC 3D UNILAT RIGHT, MAMMO US BREAST LIMITED UNILAT RIGHT.

Clinical History: Diagnostic. 51-year-old female presents for 6 month imaging follow-up of a probably benign complex cyst in the right breast 9:30 o’clock location 6 cm from nipple originally seen as a mammographic mass on the 03/24/2026 screening mammogram. The patient denied new/current breast related complaints at the time of the ultrasound exam.

Comparison: Available mammograms from 03/25/2026 and priors dating back to 02/24/2023. Right breast ultrasound from 03/25/2026.

Technique: Digital mammographic images with CAD. Tomosynthesis images were obtained and reviewed. Targeted ultrasound was performed of the right upper outer breast/quadrant by the radiologist.

Breast Density: Scattered areas of fibroglandular density

Findings: Right diagnostic mammogram: Stable oval circumscribed mass in the right breast 10:00 location 7 cm from the nipple at middle depth dating back to 03/24/2026. Scattered benign-appearing calcifications are again seen without suspicious change compared to prior exams. No new suspicious masses, microcalcifications or areas of nonsurgical architectural distortion are seen in the visualized right breast, compared to prior exams. Targeted right breast ultrasound was performed for further evaluation to evaluate sonographic stability of the previously seen corresponding cystic lesion.

Right breast ultrasound: The patient denies new/current breast related complaints at the time of the ultrasound exam. The small oval cyst with thin internal septation in the right breast 9:00 location 6 cm from the nipple demonstrates no suspicious change compared to the 03/25/2026 right breast ultrasound, accounting for differences in scanning technique and ultrasound vendor. This cystic lesion measures 8 x 6 x 4 mm compared to up to 7 by 6 x 4 mm on 03/25/2026. This cystic lesion also corresponds to the mammographic mass in the right breast 10:00 location described above.

I asked the doctor who explained the results to me if the odds were better in six months that there still wouldn’t be any suspicious change, because there wasn’t after the first six month follow up, and they said, “yes.” However, they also made it clear that this protocol evolved into following up for two years for a reason, as they’ve learned it increases the chance they don’t miss anything concerning. It is interesting to review some my past experiences with breast care and scares, when protocols were different.

As I shared in March, after I got called back from my annual routine mammogram, I recognize that the odds are in my favor and it is still hard to wait.

I am choosing to continue focusing on the “probably benign” part and am feeling cautiously optimistic.

*****

Here’s a list of my previous breast (s)care posts, which I appreciate being able to review as needed and hope they help anyone who might find them useful now or in the future. Also, noting that I’ve now been called back after routine mammograms five times (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2026). Two of those times led to biopsies (2016 and 2019) and one of those led to surgery (2016). 2016 was my first ever mammogram (two months before my 41st birthday), which led all the way to surgery and taught me that there is a lot between all clear and cancer.

Cutting to the Chase (1/11/16)

Biopsy Day (1/16/16)

Benign Phyllodes Tumor (1/18/16)

What Happens Now (1/26/16)

Second Opinion Day (2/15/16)

A Good Problem to Have (2/16/16)

Asymmetry (2/17/16)

Surgery On Monday (3/18/16)

All Clear (3/26/16)

A Questionable Finding (12/15/18)

High Probability of Being Benign (12/20/18)

Expect the Unexpected (8/6/19)