Hi Busy_Mamma,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

Calcifications are a build up of calcium deposits in the breast, which show up as white dots on mammogram. They are benign, but a cluster of them may be a sign of pre-cancerous changes, which is presumably why they want to assess you. However when they say that they are scattered, this sounds reassuring. This is just your care team being ultra cautious, which is good, because that  way they can pick anything up quickly, if there are any early changes. I must stare that I am not a doctor, just someone who has had 2 bouts of breast cancer.. 

Both of my cancers have been in my right breast. I did have calcifications in my left breast, which my surgeon described as pre-cancerous. This was monitored, but no changes were noted. I had a lumpectomy first time around and decided on a double mastectomy for the second bout, to ensure that the left calcifications didn't get a chance to spread. That was all 14 years ago now and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

This sounds more like a routine check up for you and I wouldn't expect that anything untoward will be found.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much Jolamine, you have put my mind at rest I really appreciate your response. I figured that if I've been removed from twr they can't be that worried about it but I'm hoping my appt isn't too far away, as obviously there is always that cloud of doubt.  Thanks so much again, xx

Hi Busy_Mamma,

No matter how hard we try to be positive, this is always a worrying time, because that niggle won't go  until you know for certain that you are clear. Please let us know when your appointment comes through and, I hope that it will be soon.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I have my appt through for next Friday, its with a macmillan nurse specialist- so I'm slightly nervous about it, but assuming they deal with breast issues that aren't cancerous? In need of a bit of assurance here  xx

I have my appt through,  it is next Friday, but it is with a macmillan nurse specialist,  so now I'm worrying and in need of some reassurance 

Hi Busy_Mamma,

I often see the nurse specialist first. They are fully trained in cancer and, if they feel that they need a second opinion, they usually call the consultant in to double check. Nobody can really predict what the outcome will be until you have some tests carried out. This will usually be done at the clinic and, if you need a biopsy to prove whether or not there is any cancer present, you may have to wait about 2 weeks to get the results. 

Occasionally, it is obvious that there is nothing  to worry about, after you've had a physical examination, and no follow up is needed. Even if you have a biopsy, don't panic. this is fairly routine. It is a fact that only 20% of those referred to the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis, so the odds are still in your favour.

I hope that all goes well on Friday.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx