Additional tests are needed if you have an abnormal mammogram and those reviews can cause pain, anxiety and discomfort.
If you have an abnormal mammogram result, you will need to have additional examinations, and perhaps to see a surgeon to determine if you have cancer or not. Although none of these reviews can be dangerous, cytoponction or biopsies can be a source of discomfort and surgical biopsy of a loss of breast tissue. Studies have shown that women with abnormal mammograms that have undergone further examinations have more anxiety and worry about having breast cancer, even after they said they had no had not cancer.
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Lerman C, B Tock, Rimer B, et al. Psychological and behavioral implications of abnormal mammograms. Ann Intern Med 1991; 114:657-661.
J Cockburn, Staples M, Hurley SF, et al. Psychological consequences of screening mammography. J Med Screening 1994; 1:7-12.
Ellman R, N Angeli, Christians A, et al. Psychiatric morbidity associated with screening for breast cancer. Br J Cancer 1989; 60:781-784.
Gram IT, Lund H, Slenker SE. Quality of life following a false positive mammogram. Br J Cancer 1990; 62:1018-1022.
Lowe JB, Balanda KP, Del Mar C, E. Hawes Psychologic Distress in women with abnormal findings in mass screening mammography. Cancer 1999; 85:114-8
