Mammogram Compass — You Are Not Alone

An abnormal mammogram
is a starting point,
not a diagnosis.

We know this news can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to walk beside you — with calm, compassionate guidance through every next step.

8 in 10
Abnormal mammograms do NOT result in a cancer diagnosis
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Our Team
Our staff includes a board-certified breast cancer physician specialist and team members who have personally navigated breast cancer care — bringing both clinical expertise and lived experience to every conversation.
Understand Your Next Steps Talk to Our Team
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MAMMOGRAM COMPASS EVALUATE · EDUCATE EMPOWER

Most women who receive an abnormal mammogram result will not be diagnosed with breast cancer. What you have received is a call for more information — and more information leads to better answers, and better peace of mind.

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How We Help

Evaluate. Educate. Empower.

Mammogram Compass was built for exactly this moment — to give you clarity, support, and direction when you need it most.

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Evaluate
We review your imaging findings with you in plain language, helping you understand exactly what your radiologist saw and what questions to ask at your next appointment.
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Educate
We walk you through every step of the workup process — from diagnostic mammogram to ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy — so nothing comes as a surprise and you feel prepared.
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Empower
You are an active participant in your own care. We give you the tools, the language, and the confidence to ask the right questions and advocate for yourself at every visit.
Your Path Forward

What Happens Next

An abnormal mammogram sets a careful, step-by-step process in motion. Here is what that path typically looks like — and what you can expect at each stage.

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1
The Callback — Understanding What It Means
Receiving a callback after a mammogram is unsettling, but it is also very common. Up to 10–12% of women are called back after a screening mammogram for additional views. The vast majority of these callbacks result in a normal finding once more images are taken. A callback simply means the radiologist wants a closer look — it is not a diagnosis.
You Are in Good Hands
2
Diagnostic Mammogram — A Closer Look
A diagnostic mammogram uses targeted compression views and magnification images to examine the area of concern in detail. Unlike a screening mammogram, a radiologist is present to review images in real time and may order additional studies the same day. This is a routine and important step — it gives your care team the clearest possible picture of what is there.
Same Day Results Often Available
3
Breast Ultrasound — Sound Waves, Not Radiation
Ultrasound is frequently used alongside a diagnostic mammogram to examine a specific area or evaluate a palpable lump. It is particularly helpful for distinguishing between a simple fluid-filled cyst (which is almost always benign) and a solid mass that may need further evaluation. The procedure is painless, uses no radiation, and takes only a few minutes.
Painless · No Radiation · Fast
4
Breast MRI — When More Detail Is Needed
MRI is a powerful tool used in specific circumstances — such as for women with dense breast tissue, a strong family history, or when findings on mammogram and ultrasound remain unclear. It provides highly detailed images using magnetic fields rather than radiation. Your care team will recommend MRI only when it would meaningfully add to the information already gathered.
Recommended When Clinically Appropriate
5
Biopsy — Answers, Not Assumptions
If imaging studies suggest a finding that cannot be fully characterized without tissue analysis, a biopsy may be recommended. A biopsy is the only way to determine with certainty whether cells are benign or malignant. Most breast biopsies are performed with a hollow needle under local anesthesia — not in an operating room — and results are typically available within a few days. Remember: a recommended biopsy is not a cancer diagnosis. It is the path to a definitive answer.
The Path to a Definitive Answer
What to Expect

Studies That May Be Recommended

Each woman's situation is unique. Below is a guide to the studies most commonly used in the evaluation of a mammogram abnormality and the circumstances that typically prompt each one.

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Step 1 — Almost Always
Diagnostic Mammogram
Additional targeted mammogram views of the area of concern. Performed at a breast imaging center with a radiologist on site. Produces higher-resolution images than a routine screening exam and allows for immediate review and same-day follow-up planning.
Step 2 — Very Common
Breast Ultrasound
Uses sound waves to evaluate masses, asymmetries, or palpable lumps. Especially useful for distinguishing cysts from solid nodules. No radiation is involved. Often performed immediately after or alongside the diagnostic mammogram.
Step 3 — Selective Use
Breast MRI
Recommended for women with dense breast tissue, a strong family history of breast cancer, BRCA gene variants, or when other imaging is inconclusive. Provides the most detailed soft-tissue images available, typically with contrast dye administered by IV.
Step 4 — When Indicated
Core Needle Biopsy
A minimally invasive procedure using a hollow needle to remove small tissue samples for analysis. Performed under local anesthesia, typically under ultrasound or stereotactic (mammogram-guided) imaging. Results are available within 2–5 business days and provide a definitive tissue diagnosis.
You Are Not Alone
It is okay to feel scared.
It is also okay to ask for help.
The weeks between a callback and a final answer can be among the most emotionally challenging of a woman's life. Here is how we help you carry that weight.
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Compassionate Guidance
Our consultations are unhurried, judgment-free conversations. We listen first, then guide. You will never feel rushed or dismissed.
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A Clear Roadmap
Uncertainty is the hardest part. We give you a clear, step-by-step picture of what comes next so you can walk into every appointment prepared and confident.
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Questions Welcome
There is no such thing as a question too small. We encourage you to bring every concern — about the procedure, the results, what they mean for your family, all of it.
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A caring team member in warm, unhurried conversation with a patient
Consultation Available Within 48 Hours

Ready to talk to someone who understands?

Our team is available to walk you through your results, answer your questions, and help you feel prepared for whatever comes next — usually within 48 hours of your request.

Request Your Consultation

Prefer to call? (435) 900-7060 · Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
1308 E 900 South, Unit B, St. George, UT 84790

For your privacy, please do not send health information by email — call us instead.