Confused

[SueKay]

I had a hyterectomy in 2003.  Leaving 1 ovary (thats all I had since 1986).  I had started having some breast tenderness and heaviness.  My Dr. had me get a mammogram Jan. 2006 for a baseline they called me back for addtional films my 1st showed microcalcifications in loose clusters with sclerosing adenosis birad 3.  2nd films showed the same, and they called me back for a 6 month follow-up those films showed the same with a Birad 2.  Now they are asking me to have another mammogram in a couple of weeks.  Am I at a higher risk for breast cancer since I had a hysteretomy?  My breast issues did not come up until my hysterectomy. I confused what I should do next?

[SueKay]

Thanks for all the comments.  What questions should I be asking?

[Under Forty Pam]

I've had a partial hysterectomy and breast cancer about 18 months apart but they are unrelated according to all my doctors.  Actually if you had breast cancer you might actually find some good points about having no ovaries, you can take more chemo drugs types for hormone therapy.  Just a positive spin on the two.  Microcalcifications are very common in women and the majority end up fine.  They only worry about them if they tend to form a cluster.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear suekay:  A hysterectomy would not impact breast cancer risk.  When microcalcifications or some other abnormality suggests a more frequent follow-up, it is done to make certain that there are no changes that would require further investigation.