I am 52 and had 1st mammogram under national screening on 2nd Jan. Was told first timers often recalled so did not worry unduly when I was called for follow up at the Southend Hospital Breast clinic on 11 Jan. Also I could not feel a lump and had no other symptoms. Had second mamm. then ultrasound, then Doc said was going to do core biopsy - started to feel very scared!. Was told there were calcifications in left breast and pattern suggested cancer more likely than not. Will get results on 21st Jan.
I have done some research on the net and know that calicification does not necessarily mean cancer, but the Doctors ‘reading’ of the scan makes her think it likely. Does anyone know, assuming it does turn out to be cancer, if the presence of calcifications without a lump, is more likely to be an early cancer that probably won’t have started spreading?
I’d be very grateful for any help/advice/comments. I am still reeling from what has happened so far.
Welcome to the forums, I am sure your fellow users will be along soon with the help and advice you need, in addition you may find our publication about calcifications helpful to read, you can read it via the link given below… It contains information about other support you can access too, such as our helpline and ‘Ask the Nurse’ service so do contact us if you need any further support or information.
Hi Linda, Had a similar experience to you when I was 56. Tests revealed calcification not cancerous. But, the awful experience of needle and core biopsies was so awful I never went for my next mammo. Friends made me attend the following one, and after 6 years discovered I had developed breast cancer.
I suppose what I am saying is if, hopefully, you are clear, please don’t miss any future mammos. I had no symptoms whatsoever and felt fully fit when the bombshell hit me at age 63.
Hi Lindavic, I am 55 and in Oct 2006 like you I was recalled after a routine mammogram. I also had the ultrasound and needle biopsy. A few days later I was told I had a small tumour with a lot of calcifications in the same breast. I had a mastectomy as my consultant said the calcifications could turn cancerous. I was lucky enough not to need rads or chemo, and in Aug 2007 I had a reconstruction.
Everyones case is different, and they may decide to treat you in a totally different way. I can honestly say that the worst part was definately the bit you are going through now. The waiting to hear the results, and what treatment you need to have. When you know, and treatment starts it gets easier. Especially when you meet other people going through a similar thing. I still keep in touch with the lady who was in the next bed to me.
I hope you get good news, but if they advise you to have an op then it is not as bad as you might think.
I will be keeping everything crossed for you. Let us know how you get on.
Heidicat x
14 months down the line I am still having Herceptin and am on Tamoxifen. Also thinking about reconstruction.
And awaiting results of first mammo since treatment. All the hospital visits are tedious but hey, I am still here and, hopefully, cancer free.
Like Heidicat I still keep in touch with the woman in the next bed to me and we are planning a holiday.
Hi Lindavic
I too was recalled (in August last year) after a routine mammogram which revealed calcifications (DCIS - ductal carcinoma in situ) in my right breast - there was no lump to feel.
In September I had marker wires inserted and a WLE op (Wide Lump Excision). The area involved was 5.5cms and the surgeon said it contained High Grade, very angry cells. He was very keen to stress that this is a ‘pre-cancerous’ condition. As he didn’t get clear margins I had to go back two weeks later for a ‘shave’. I didn’t lose either my breast or my nipple - but the surgeon did say that, had he known how large the area involved was, I’d have had a mastectomy! - I’m grateful for small mercies.
I’ve been on Tamoxifen since October and have recently completed 25 sessions of radiotherapy. Unfortunately I’m still waiting for the results of my Hormone Receptor Status !!!
There are loads of ladies out here who will offer help and support you through the coming weeks - keep in touch and ask loads of questions.
My mammogram showed microcalcifications that turned out to be high grade DCIS (I presented with a fibroadenoma and was 39).
When I had the US and core biopsy, the Doctor was certain that it was DCIS.
I had surgery- lost the whole nipple/ areola area but due to size of breasts and surgeon able to obtain clear margins, I avoided a mastectomy. I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy.
From what you have said, it sounds like it is early (if it is bc) and very much contained.
Good luck and let us know when you get your results. Remember- the earlier the diagnosis, the better
Take care,
I had only my second mammogram in April of last year, I’m 54.
I was called back to the unit to be told that I had calcification’s. There are two kinds - as you will probably have read about by now - micro and macro.
Micro are they ones the doctors don’t like, they are small clusters which are in the very, very early stages of forming into a possible tumour, they have very rarely spread anywhere else because they are contained in the milk ducts.
Mine were micro, so to cut this long story short, I ended-up having a mastectomy in June of last year.
My consultant was very pleased with the results and he’s very confident that I will be fine from now on.
I am now on Tamoxifen because I am oestrogen receptive, so when I’ve finished these I’m pretty sure I will go for a reconstruction.
Not all calcification’s will result in a mastectomy, so I wish you the best of luck and don’t worry, you will be in safe hands.
I am still waiting for the results - get them on Monday 21st at 2.45pm. The waiting has been awful, a I’m sure you can all relate too. It has seemed such a long time but now it is only a couple of days away its scary! but all your comments have really helped. Unlike a lady I spoke to the other day - she is a friend of one of my realtives and is actually a nurse specialising in breast cancer in the private sector. My relative suggested I speak to her for some reassurance. I did - and came away feeling worse! I am sure she would be horrified to hear that, and obviously did not want to make me feel that way, but some people can put a ‘downer’ on you. Maybe I rang her at a bad moment.
Maggierg - sounds like you are doing well. Any ideas on where your holiday plans wll take you?
Thanks for your comments FizBix. I am glad to hear your treatment is going well. Please excuse my ignorance but I don’t think I’ve come across the term Medullary before. What does it mean?
Thanks for asking - yes I got the results on 21st Jan and have now joined the BC club! At diagnosis the consultant pointed out an area on the scan measuring 22mms in left breast mostly behind the nipple. I am now at home recovering from a wide local excision, including loss of said nipple, and SNB. Still completely gob smacked that I could not feel or see anything untoward, nor could the consultant when he examined me, but there it was on the scan. I have since come across other ladies who have had a similar experience, so I guess that goes to show just what regular mammograms are for.
I was told that I was oestrogen positive and would definitely have rads and hormone treatment but I don’t yet know about chemo. I get the results of the surgery/SNB this Friday 8 Feb so once again I am going round the bend waiting!
Where are you currently at in your treatment Karen? I don’t know if you have mentioned this elsewhere, if so I apologise but my brain has turned to mush. I hope everything is going well.
Hello Ladies.
I,m a bit alarmed after reading this thread as I was dx with calcifications in my right breast, 6 yrs ago but the med team said they were not going to do anything, no tests.
3yrs later I went for due mammo and had a small tumour in right breast which I had removed and it turned out to be benign.
When I asked about calcs in right breast they said they had not changed since last mammo so they were leaving them alone.
My question is, should I go back and insist on calcs being biopsied or should I wait till next mammo 2 yrs away?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Sorry you have had to join us.
You have had the same surgery as me and I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy.
I am having a nipple and areola tattooed on the 27th February. You do get used to it and I have to say that I have never been upset over the loss of the nipple area (my DCIS was directly behind the nipple). I am only having the cosmetic surgery because they have offered it to me and I felt that if I changed my mind in years to come then it may not be so readily available. I hope that you recover well and that your overall results are good.
Roseann- there are 2 types of calcifications- micro and macro. The microcalcifications are the ones that develop into tumours. They can usually tell what type they are from the mammogram but confirm it with a core biopsy. You have already been through a lot and if I were in your shoes, I would ask for a core biopsy . If in doubt, ask for the biopsy. Good luck
Hi Lindavic, my story starts very similar to yours. Routine mammogram on 2 Jan, recalled on 9th to be told I had calcifications, followed on 15th by diagnosis of DCIS throughout the breast. Had a mastectomy and reconstruction on the 24th and have been back home for a few days. I have been given no info other than that and it is driving me nuts. My results appointment is not until the 13th Feb.
If I were you, I would insist on those calcifications being biopsied, if only to put your mind at rest.
My friend had microcalcifications which turned out to be benign. The medics keep a regular check on her, and they have not changed in two years. However, they were biopsied first.