5 Most Common Reasons for Being Recalled After a Mammogram

Let’s be honest—getting a mammogram recall can be terrifying.

You go in expecting everything to be fine. You get the routine scan. You leave the clinic. Then a few days later, your phone rings or you get that letter. Suddenly, you’re being recalled after your mammogram. And your mind races straight to the worst: Is it cancer?

I’ve been there. I’ve held the hand of a friend who burst into tears just hearing the word “recall.” But let me assure you—being recalled after a mammogram does not mean you have breast cancer.

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In fact, most of the time, it doesn’t. Recalls are common and often just a precaution. Still, I understand how important it is to know why it happens. That’s why I’m breaking down the 5 most common reasons for being recalled after a mammogram, so you can feel informed—not frightened.

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1. Unclear or Blurry Images

Sometimes the radiologist just can’t get a clear view. Maybe you moved slightly. Maybe your breast tissue shifted during compression. Either way, the images may be too blurry or incomplete to interpret.

This doesn’t mean something’s wrong—it just means they need better pictures. In my experience, this is one of the most frequent reasons for a mammogram recall.

“We just need to take another look” is what you’ll often hear. It’s not a red flag. It’s standard practice.

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2. Dense Breast Tissue

Some women have naturally dense breasts. That means there’s more fibrous or glandular tissue than fatty tissue, which can make it harder to spot abnormalities on a standard mammogram.

Dense tissue can:

• Hide small tumors
• Mimic suspicious spots
• Cause shadows that look like something’s there when it isn’t

In fact, according to the American College of Radiology, dense breast tissue is one of the leading reasons for being recalled after a mammogram.

When I worked in women’s health, I saw this all the time. Patients with dense breasts were often called back for ultrasounds or 3D mammograms just to get a clearer picture.

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3. Calcifications

This is a big one. Calcifications are tiny calcium deposits that show up as white spots on your mammogram.

Now, not all calcifications are cause for concern. Most are completely harmless. But certain patterns, like tight clusters or irregular shapes, might need a closer look.

You might be called back for:

• A magnified mammogram
• A spot compression view
• Or even a biopsy if the pattern seems unusual

When I hear women say, “They found something white on the image,” it’s usually calcifications. And 8 times out of 10, it turns out to be benign.

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4. Cysts or Benign Lumps

Fluid-filled cysts, fibroadenomas, or other non-cancerous breast lumps can also trigger a recall.

These are often felt during a self-exam or detected on the scan. They may appear as shadows or masses, which need to be investigated further to rule out malignancy.

From my personal nursing experience, I’ve seen dozens of recalls that ended in a quick ultrasound and a sigh of relief—“Just a cyst,” the radiologist says.

And yes, cysts can come and go with your menstrual cycle, which makes this even more common in premenopausal women.

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5. Asymmetry or a New Finding

If a radiologist sees something that looks different from your previous mammogram, that’s enough reason for a recall.

Even a minor change in shape, size, or density between the breasts—or compared to your last screening—warrants a second look.

They might say:

• “We see an asymmetry.”
• “There’s something new in the left breast.”
• Or, “This looks a bit different from your last scan.”

This is especially common if:

• You haven’t had a baseline mammogram before
• Your breast anatomy has changed due to weight loss, hormonal shifts, or menopause

And trust me, as someone who has read through medical reports and been present for callback discussions, I can tell you that new doesn’t mean dangerous—it just means ‘let’s be sure.’

What Does a Mammogram Recall Really Mean?

Getting a mammogram recall is understandably scary. You’re left waiting, wondering, and worrying.

But here’s the truth most women don’t hear: the majority of recalls are routine and end up being nothing serious.

According to the American Cancer Society, only about 10% of women are recalled after a mammogram, and less than 2% of those will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

That means for every 100 women who go for screening:

• About 10 will get called back
• 1 or 2 may need a biopsy
• And only 1 or fewer will be diagnosed

Still, I know firsthand that waiting for a follow-up test feels like a lifetime. So the best thing you can do is:

• Stay calm
• Show up to the follow-up appointment
• Ask questions and take notes

The most common reasons for being recalled after a mammogram are not life-threatening—but catching things early, if anything is wrong, is your best chance at full recovery.