calcifications is it always cancer?

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I went to my doc 2 weeks ago because of blood from my nipple.  Not spontaneous just when squeezed.

Today I had a ultrasound and a mammagram which indicates calcifications in my right breast. Im booked in for a  biopsy mon n consultant friday.

 

My questions are 

 

  1. Is it always cancer 

  2. Does it  mean they will want to give me a mastectomy

  3. How long after a mastectomy will they wait to reconstruct ? 

 

Im scared out of my wits . 

 

Much love to all you ladys xxxx 

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Hello kelsbels78

Whilst waiting for replies to your post maybe you would like to give our free helpline a call where the staff can offer practical information as well as emotional support.  Lines open again in the morning.  The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

Best wishes

June, moderator

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Hi kel
I to had califactions in my right breast. Had a biopsy done on the day and had to wait 7 days for the results. Longest 7 days of my life and feared the worst BUT the results came back clear. Remember califications are very common and rarely cancerous so please do not worry. If it is anything sinster at least it has been found very early. Kate x

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PS don’t be scared. I have been there and I know how you feel. Think positive. We are all here to help each other xxxxx

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Thanks so much for your reply… I know theres gonna be haappy and sad stories but it gives hope.

Thank you xx

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Most calcification is a normal change that occurs in the breast (or elsewhere in the body like eyes, organs or muscles). But some calcification in the breast can be associated with DCIS which is the stage before invasive breast cancer… Although sometime DCIS is present as well as invasive cancer.

Whether you need a mastectomy or not will depend how much of the breast is involved, if you only have one or two small areas of malignant calcs they can normally do a lumpectomy and you may require radiotherapy afterwards… If there is 3 areas or more or its spread throughout the breast then they will normally recommend a mastectomy.

If you dont require any treatment like radiotherapy or chemo which is unlikely if it is just DCIS then they can normally do an immediate reconstruction… Ideally everybody should be offered an immediate reconstruction even if they are having radiotherapy or chemo as long as they are warned that it may not be as effective as delaying a recon… If you need rads then they normally recommend a year after rads before recon… If you need chemo then its more likely you will have rads too and the year wait will usually apply.

So to answer your questions…

  1. no its not always cancer, in fact usually not cancer
  2. not usually but depends on how widespread the calcs are
  3. no wait or about a year.

Good luck and fingers crossed for benign calcs

lxx