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

Well done.  Keep positive x

Thank you, I'm trying! Xxx

Hey Linze 

You did it!! Be proud of yourself. I joined a zoom breast support group last night that my lovely neighbour and her sister are members of. I cannot tell you how wonderful each and every lady is. Most are survivors of breast cancer and one lady was mid way through her treatment of chemo. They said that even though I had felt utter trauma from finding a lump, having biopsies, receiving results that weren't what I wanted to hear - at least I got through it! And they are right. Always look back at how you have got through each and every step no matter how small and how you will get through every next step. It's only when you are on this journey, whether you stay on a bit longer because you need treatmwnt, or whether you have happy results, that you realise how many utterly awesome, strong and supportive people are out there. Xxx

Hi Ladies, 

I hope you are all doing OK despite what you ate going through, and hope you don't mind mind me crashing this chat!

Only discovered this site last night and reading through this thread has really resonated with me.

I'm 43, and had first mammogram in early December having had some discharge from the nipple (lovely!). They found calcification in left breast but didn't say anything about biopsy at the time. Had a follow up last week now have been sent an appointment for stereotactic biopsy on Monday. Eeek. Then another follow up and probable total duct excision for the discharge.

Trying to stay positive but on the inside am super scared and keep thinking the worst.

Sorry again for crashing....you are all so supportive of each other I thought I would chance my luck!

All the best to you all for your journeys x

Crash away. I crashed this chat too! It's a horrible, horrible, horrible time. It sucks more than anything. My mind has gone to the darkest of places since discovering a lump last week to getting diagnosed on Tuesday. From 0 to 100 on the trauma and shock scale. I'm lucky I have private healthcare through my work, but at the same time the rate at which I've had bad news floored me. However, I have now discovered a ton of such amazing supportive women who have been in this place and come through it. Your calcifications may well just be in situ and at a low grade. Even if high grade, they are still in situ so try and hold on to that positive thought. Did they say anything about lymph nodes or if the calcifications were clustered? Xx

Thank you for welcoming me!

It's insane isn't it. One day all is fine and the next it's just a roller-coaster of emotion, appointments, tests, questions and more questions! Aaggh!

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis and hope that now you know can get going with treatment and getting back to being you! 

They didn't say anything specific about lymph modes. Doctor had a feel and also I had an ultrasound and I think they checked lymph nodes but a bit of a blur. They showed me the Calcifications on the mammogram and were clustered in one area. Not sure why they didn't suggest biopsy at that point rather than six weeks later but hey ho!

X

Thanks Vicki! It's so nice to read some positivity from you! And you're so right, none of us are alone in this no matter what the outcome. 
 

I really hope I don't have to have another biopsy, but if I do, at least I know what to expect now! Xxx

Welcome Positive T! 

I think this was originally Mary's post, so the rest of us have all crashed! But sorry you're here too! 
 

From everything I've read on here and other reputable sites - calcification is usually benign. I've also read about lots of cases of nipple discharge being benign too. So try not to panic, (I can't take my own advice!) 
Like you, I had my first mammogram recently. I'd gone in with a lump that turned out to be nothing! The calcification showed up in the mammogram. I have it wide - spread over both breasts, just in single specs (which they weren't concerned about). But I have clusters in one area in both breasts, one larger in the left breast. So I've had biopsies on that. But today the consultant did say that as it's my first one, it could just be normal for me, as they have nothing to compare it to. 
 

Also, from what I've gathered, if they think it looks suspicious, they will generally say so. If they're unsure either way, or even if they think it's likely benign, then they do the biopsy as it's the only way they can confirm it. 
 

I hope everything goes well for you. Xxx

Thank you for welcoming me Linze!

Rubbish to be here but nice to have people to talk to who understand and can relate!! 

They said the same thing to me about it being first mammogram so could be my normal as nothing to compare it to. Let's hope! 

Loved your description of being tangled up in the mammogram machine and really hope that they got all the cells they need so you don't have to go through it again. 

Fingers crossed for some positive results x

Yes, I feel the same! We're so lucky that things have moved on so much! My mom had breast cancer 26 years ago, and unfortunately passed 17 years ago. She wouldn't have had any of this. Plus the fact that the treatment, testing etc has also progressed massively!! 
 

I was like a contortions!! My left boob was sideways in the machine, and the rest of the top half of my body was twisted to the right! The idea was to get the closest position to the calcification. I had no idea how it was going to work! But the needle that takes the samples it actually in the mammo! The Drs put coordinates into the machine, and then the machine tells them where it's in the right position or not! So clever. It didn't hurt at all, as they use local first. It was just uncomfortable sitting like that!

I'm praying they have enough to give me the results, and praying harder that they come back benign! 

I hope you do too. Xxx

Yes, I feel the same! We're so lucky that things have moved on so much! My mom had breast cancer 26 years ago, and unfortunately passed 17 years ago. She wouldn't have had any of this. Plus the fact that the treatment, testing etc has also progressed massively!! 
 

I was like a contortions!! My left boob was sideways in the machine, and the rest of the top half of my body was twisted to the right! The idea was to get the closest position to the calcification. I had no idea how it was going to work! But the needle that takes the samples it actually in the mammo! The Drs put coordinates into the machine, and then the machine tells them where it's in the right position or not! So clever. It didn't hurt at all, as they use local first. It was just uncomfortable sitting like that!

I'm praying they have enough to give me the results, and praying harder that they come back benign! 

I hope you do too. Xxx

I am having the mammogram biopsy so my turn to be a contortionist on Monday! I'm really not very flexible so that could be interesting!!! Good to hear that it doesn't hurt too much. I've asked to work from home the following day in case I'm in any discomfort! And cis won't be able to shower!! 

Sorry to hear you lost your mum to breast cancer. My mum had it too but was one of the lucky ones so I feel blessed.

X