Hi, 

Sorry to meet you here. It's pretty common to find calcifications, so I was told. Did they tell you if the suspected macro or micro calcifications? I went with a lump in my right breast and during the checks (mammogram) they then told me that they had found a cluster of microcalcifications. They didn't say much more at the time other than wanted a stereotactic biopsy on those microcalcifications also.  It was in my case the same breast, but it can be either from what I've read and been told by others experiences and consultants etc. 

The biopsy will enable them to know if the calcifications are benign or pre cancerous, such as DCIS as you mention.  

I know it's hard, but try not to worry the majority of calcifications statistically are benign and worst case scenario pre cancerous and therefore easily treatable. 

I hope this helps a bit. 

Sebding a virtual hug - Mickey xx ️

 

Hi Mickey,

Thanks for replying.  I phoned the clinic today and all the nurse would say was that these calcifications were 'indeterminate'.  I've taken that as being suspicious!  Didn't say if they were macro or microcalcifications although I'm suspecting micro as otherwise I wouldn't be having the biopsy which I think is next week.  I dont even know what type of biopsy, they didn't say.  I'm grateful for them being thorough but it felt like being on a treadmill of one in, one out, I was shocked how many ladies were in on the same day.  I've never seen the breast clinic so busy and I've seen a lot of it getting all my cysts checked over the last 4 years.   Did you have a biopsy, how was it, and how long did you wait for the results?

if you've been through all this too, I hope you had a good outcome.  Sending a hug back.  x

Hi, 

Its really good that it's a early morning appointment. At least that way you just get up and go (even if sleep is a bit rubbish tonight). 
Once you know you will hopefully give a big sigh of relief. If it is pre-cancerous or cancerous though, please don't forget that it's easily treatable now.  Either way, you will feel more in control again when you know what you're dealing with. Are you taking someone with you tomorrow? 
Keeping everything crossed for you, please let me know how you get on. 
I called her on Monday and she promised investigate and to call me back that day, but didn't...... 
Thanks for your support too - Mickey xx ️

PS, sorry I realise you probably can't take anyone for the biopsy tomorrow in these covid times. I also hope you don't have to wait too many weeks for your results. Xx ️

Oh Mickey I'd get straight back on to her if I were you.  You've had to wait too long.  I'm going on my own for the biopsy in the morning as no-one else is allowed in due to Covid.  No point husband or friend sitting outside in a corridor which is what I saw last week. I'm thinking just get this done.  Obvs my husband will come with me for the results.  He's been a rock and had cancer himself four years ago which was caught early but is now fine.  I've got 3 children who are growing up now but our eldest has special needs so the thought that we could potentially both have cancer is terrible for our kids.  I don't care for myself, just want to be around for them all.  I get so emotional when I think about it.   Please do phone your consultants secretary again today so you know where you are.  
Thanks again xx  

Thank you. 
I'm sorry to hear about your husbands cancer, but I'm very glad it was caught early and that he's ok now. It is scarey when you have children, especially when special needs are involved. At this stage though, you may still get the good news that the calcifications are benign. Keeping everything crossed for you and your family. 
I'm glad that hubby will come to the results appointment with you. It's good to have support, even good news often leaves you reeling after this experience, as I'm sure you remember. 
xx ️

Thank you Mickey xx

Hello,

Sorry to jump on your post! But I'm in a similar situation and desperate to hear some good outcomes! 
I went to the breast clinic yesterday, as I found a lump. I didn't want to have a mammogram as they scare me! So the dr agreed to do the ultrasound. But she then explained to me that although that looked fine, that the mammogram could pick up calcification that could show potential cancer before I would a feel a lump, etc. I'm 40, so wasn't due a routine one yet. My mother had breast cancer 3 times from aged 45, and unfortunately passed away at age 54, due to contracting MRSA from the IV, and then being unable to continue chemo. So the cancer spread. 
I've been to speak with the breast care nurses twice, and done the family history investigation etc. They decided that she didn't have a genetic type, and it's not happened for any other females in the family, on either side. 
However, I was reassured and I had the mammogram. 
the dr called me back in to see my scan. She pointed out the random specks of calcification, which she said was normal. But she then pointed to some areas in both breast that had a few specks together. She said she wasn't too worried as it was in both, and as it was my first mammogram, they may have always been there. But she couldn't say either way. So I'm now waiting for an appointment for a biopsy. I'm terrified! Both about the procedures and the outcome! Please update with your outcome. 
I saw the surgeon after the screening and he seemed less concerned than the dr. But I'm fearing the worst! I suffer with health anxiety anyway! 
Thank you

Hi there.  It's such a worrying time isn't it.  It sounds as if your Dr isn't overly concerned about your calcifications which is a very good sign.  If there are clusters of them they always do a biopsy to check it out.  I had my biopsy this morning which was done with a mammogram.  It was a core cut vacuum biopsy.  They numbed me with local then took samples.  It didn't hurt at all and whilst there was a bit of toing and froing to get the positioning right it wasn't uncomfortable or painful so please don't worry about the procedure.  
 

I like you am pretty scared and apparently I get the results next Wednesday which surprised me.  I'm overthinking everything wondering why I'm getting them so quickly!  The only other advice is to keep busy.  I've had good and bad days waiting and I think that's normal.  It's hard because you don't  always want to worry family and friends until it's necessary and you have results so this forum has really helped me personally.

wishing you all the best, do occupy yourself and keep busy.  Keep reminding yourself that them being thorough is the best thing for us. 
 

Hope that helps a bit. Take care x

Thanks for your reply. I am really stressed about the biopsy!! I almost had a panic attack just having a mole removed last year! I'm waiting for a call back from my GP, as I'm going to ask him if he can prescribe me anything to keep me calm! I can feel myself getting worked up already, and I haven't had the appointment yet! 
The Dr said they do them on a Thursday, so it will probably be next week. She said they would probably do mine with ultrasound, but not sure.
Are you sore afterwards? 
How long did it take to get your appointment after the  mammogram? 
Will keep you in my prayers for good results!

Try not to stress bout the biopsy.  I had my mammogram and had to wait 10 days foR the biopsy as they only do them on certain days.  Just hearing the word biopsy is scary but please be reassured the actual procedure is not frightening or painful.  I was in there 2 hours as they had to take several more mammograms and then after the biopsy put in a tiny marker then another mammogram to check it's in the right place.  All that took a bit of time.  The nurses were wonderful and were 'advanced practitioners' so a Dr didn't do the biopsy.  I've got a large plaster and strips on my boob and it is starting to feel a bit sore now but hardly anything.

they showed me my pics and I've got a 1.7mm area of clustered calcification.  I've been Googling like crazy and convinced myself they are suspicious but when I saw the breast nurse afterwards she told me very often they are benign which was good to hear.  
 

The wait is the worst but it's just a process and a horrible time in our lives that we have to get through.  Stay off Google as it just caused me more anxiety.  Get outside, go for a walk, walk the dog or do something you enjoy (maybe cooking)!!  Anything to fill your day and keep busy.  I'm a housewife but if you are at work that will help to keep busy.  Lavender oil helps me keep calm and is very soothing.

Thank you for your lovely words.  I will say a prayer for you too.  Remember it could be something, but it also could be absolutely fine.  Hang on to that thought and try to keep perspective especially on the more difficult days.

Thinking if you xx 

Hi Mary,

 I hope that all well for you this morning and that you are feeling a little less anxious now. Did you have a biopsy too? If so, I hope that your results come back soon and that it's good news.

Please remember that we are always here for you,

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mary,

 I hope that all well for you this morning and that you are feeling a little less anxious now. Did you have a biopsy too? If so, I hope that your results come back soon and that it's good news.

Please remember that we are always here for you,

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine.

I had the biopsy this morning.  Results with the consultant next Wednesday afternoon.  Surprised it was so quick.  It's hard but we have no choice to get through this.

Hope you are well and hearing from you ladies who are a little further along in the process had meant a lot to me.  I've only told my husband as I don't want to worry my children and family.  Thank you all.

HI Mary,

Many people don't tell more than close family until all the testing is over and they have a definite diagnosis. It is unfortunate that we have no way to avoid this. Don't look too far ahead. Take this day by day or even hour by hour if need be. I am keping well now thank you.

Hoping for good results!

Jolamine xx

I know you're right.  Thanks again so much xx

Hi Jolamine,

I'd be interested in your opinion on something that's really worrying me.  Do you think it's common to discover a higher grade cancer after surgery than in the original first biopsy?

My IDC is apparently very small and grade 1.  As my mammogram was clear 2 years ago I'm worried this could be a more aggressive interval cancer.  I mentioned this to the Dr and she said it would be assessed to see if it was an interval cancer.  My nurse has been reassuring but she also said no guarantees and we must wait until after the surgery.  

Can we rely on the accuracy of our stereotactic biopsies or are we likely to get a shock after lumpectomy/mastectomy and further biopsies are done.  My biopsy was done by a nurse when I thought it would be done by a Dr.  I wondered what your experience had been?  
 

Thankyou x

Hi Mary,

I am no expert in biopsies, so cannot really answer your question. I do know that some types of breast cancer don't image as well as others, but I would expect a stereotactic biopsy to be pretty accurate. The more common shock for most people after surgery, is if the surgeon hasn't achieved a clear margin. This would be more likely to be with larger tumours and, in this situation, there would be a need for further surgery.

As to whether or not this is an interval cancer, only further tests carried out after your surgery will answer this question.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mary, 

Sorry to read about your diagnosis. I'm pleased that they are moving things forward for you so quickly and the prospects for you are very good, which is great. 

re: the stereotactic biopsies, I can only speak from my own experience, but hoped it might help.  My stereotactic biopsy results showed two different grades and when I finally got my surgery results this week, they was pretty much the only thing that was unchanged and that specific area was 5cm. Fingers crossed then that yours being smaller is hopefully accurate. 

Hope that helps a bit - hugs Mickey xx ️

Thanks Mickey,

That's reassuring that you didn't get too many nasty shocks with the post surgery biopsies and is good to hear.  My lumpectomy is in 2 weeks and they haven't even explained how it will be done!  My calcifications are 17mm and are quite high up at the top mid line of my breast where I'm quite flat!   I've always had quite a small bust so I worry about clear margins and how she will get it all out!  Did you have lumpectomy or mastectomy?  I hope your feeling well and that it wasn't too traumatic.

Thanks for your response I really appreciate it.

xxx

Hi Mary, 

I totally understand your fears, but hopefully with the calcifications being so small, they should be able to get around the area easily to remove them.  If they were concerned that the position of them would make it difficult then they would have made different recommendations at the MDT meeting, so try not to worry about that. You have so much to get your head around as it is. 

I had a masectomy there was too much cancer for any other surgery and that was the right decision. 

Take care of you - Mickey xx ️

You too Mickey and thanks again x