How Soon For Follow up Mammogram after Benign Breast Biopsy

Recent research results were presented by Dr. Andrea Barrio (a breast surgeon from Bryn Mawr Hospital, Pennsylvania) at the American Society of Breast Surgeons annual meeting, Chicago May 2, 2013. The research study, followed 337 women who had benign biopsies and had an abnormality on the mammogram that was explained by the pathology. Researchers then determined if the time interval for follow up imaging made a difference in finding cancer. The current standard of care for women who have had a benign breast biopsy is to return for a followup mammogram 6-12 months later. Out of 337 women, 169 had imaging repeated less than 12 months after their benign biopsy result. Only one breast cancer was identified in the group of 169. The cost of finding a missing cancer with the shorter interval follow-up was nearly $193,000 in this group.