Breast Calcifications

[Deb95NJ]

I am 37 years old.  My family has a history of Breast Cancer.  I had my baseline mamogram at 35. Calcifications were found in my right breast. I had a needle biopsy, came back fine. Had re-check 6 mos. later, more calcifications, needle biopsy, came back fine. Another 6 mos. re-check & bi-lateral, more calcifications in right breast. Surgical biopsy, came back fine. I am scheduled for my next 6 mos. re-check this week.What else can I ask my doctor to do...should I be getting other tests??? I cannot keep having surgery on my breast, but the calcifications keep coming back. I have never had a "normal" mamogram.  Any suggestions???

[margaritas]

I too had a cluster of microcalcifications show up on a follow-up mammogram.  The radiologist suggested a stereotactic-guided biopsy.  Well after reading all about microcalcificaitons in different breast cancer forums, I was scared to death.  It seemed like everything I read indicated that the biopsy results were malignant.  One answer from a reader did stick with me all this past week while I was waiting for my biopsy results--it was that most people don't take the time to let others know when their results are benign.  So I promised that if my results were benign, I would take the time to write in and let others know that are waiting for their results to have faith in the statistics that most of the biopsies have benign results.  And to also feel good about yourself that if for some reason the results show malignancy, that you have been proactive.

[margaritas]

Another thing I realized this week while waiting for my biopsy results--share your worries with your friends, family, and God.

[AzRobin]

I didn't give thought to waiting for the biopsy results.  The only people that know about biopsy is my husband (ex-hubby but still my best friend) and 2 female friends of mine.  I've chosen not to tell my 2 grown boys or my folks until I know the results.  My mother would worry sick, my father would say something like, "oh, it's a minor proceedure" and I just don't want my boys to worry.  Until then the support of my wonderful Ex has been very comforting.  We've grown close since we divorced in 1996.  He's always been there for me and I see him quite often.  He told me that WE'D get through this together.  I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.  Keeping the faith has been rather difficult.

Thank you for your supporting words.  I'll be sure to update you on the progress.

Robin

[Montana girl 06]

AzRobin and Margaritas, Feel free to share your worries here, because many of us have been there. I'll keep you both in my prayers. Keep us posted.

[jc76001]

Waiting is the hardest part.  I had a stereostatic biopsy in late sept, due to cluster of microcalcifications as well.  Mine came back benign, Whoo hooo... they were inside of a benign duct inside of a fibroidadenoma.... however, i also have another fibroidadenoma and some discharge out of my nipple...which is what origionally prompted me to go in;  the surgeon took some of the discharge and is microscoping it and i will know more this week.... if all is well i go back in 3 months for another sonogram... i guess my point to this is, i think that for many people, like myself, this is not just a "one time" thing, where everything is OK and forget about this...at least for me, this is going to require ongoing attention and tests... do not get discouraged..this is a good site and for me it helped to have people who understood... let us know how things go.

[bander951]

During my last mammo they found 4 microcalcifications deep within my left breast along my chest wall. they told me to wait 6 mo. and come back for another magnified mammo exam. the thing is my sis died of infiltrating ductal carcenoma she was only 56. i'm 55. i've asked for a copy of my films and have an appt with a surgeon next week. looking at them i can 3 in a row one on top of the other and the 4th one just to the left of the top one. the rpt said they had 'the appearance of being benign' and not enough for a cluster (5 being the amt they were looking for) with a bi-rad of 3. i'm leaning towards having a biopsy done to be sure since we don't know if my sis started out with micro calcifications (her breasts were too dense) and the yearly mammo didn't show anything until they felt a lump. her doctor said she could have had microcalcifications for years but the mammo didnt show it.