Hi I am new to this site and am just searching for answers. I have never heard of Calcifications until Tuesday when I was told that was what I had, and would need a core biopsy to see whats happening as it had got worse since my last mammogram 3 years ago.I didnt know I had it way back then, no one told me so I am in complete shock and feel sick with all the stress.What is it and what can I expect from the biospsy? Please help Im so so so worried. Many Thanks Bet.
Hi Mitsie!
Three years ago I had a core biopsy and they found calcifications, then I had an ultrasound and was told there was no need for any further treatment. 3 years on in June 08 I had a routine mammogram and a small tumour (8mm) was found in the same breast, but not in the same part of the breast. I have been told there is no connection between the two things and calcifications are just minute chalk deposits. However one of the doctor’s I saw in June said he thought I should have had further investigations three years ago and some of the tissue around the calcifications should have been removed. But he also said that most doctors would not agree with him. So to answer your question, most doctors would say that calcs do not go on to produce cancer - and perhaps that is so. Best wishes to you.
Hi Mitsie,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care chat forums. I have put below for you the link to BCC’s publication regarding breast calcifications that you might find useful to read. If you need to talk to someone in more detail about this then do feel free to phone the BCC helpline, the staff are here to support you. Calls to the helpline are free, 0808 800 6000. Lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm (not open Bank Holidays)
Breast calcifiations: breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=632
Hope this helps. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi,
I read that 80% of calcifications are fine and do nothing but they always check them out for the few that are dodgy and can have cancer cells with them. Even benign lumps can turn into calcifications and be no problem. The odds are in your favour but they will always check out any changes. I know this is worrying to have it done but at least you will know for sure what you are dealing with. Hopefully it is good news and fine (so you can have peace again) but if not very important to get in quick while it is early.
The biopsy sounds like a staple gun and takes tiny pieces to check. It depends how many areas you have, to how many you will have done. Don’t look at it coming towards you! I was given locals to numb it first and felt nothing, with my eyes shut. Then they cover them and you do often get bruising from them. They test them and then call you back for the results.
Hope this helps, please say if I can help any more. I will be keeping everything crossed for good news for you. Big hugs.
Lily x
Hi Lily and All,
Many Many Thanks for all the kind replies I have received from you all. Sorry for the delay in answering but I have been in Ireland visiting my three Grandchildren while they are home from University and college.It certainly helped to take my mind off things for a while even though its always there in the background at every opportunity when you relax. Sleep has been very difficult but hopefully once this next stage of waiting is over at least I might have some idea where this is going.I have the biopsy in a weeks time and then I have been told it will take about two weeks for the results! Why do they keep us waiting so long? I have been reading on your forum some of your letters and it seems as if waiting is the worst part for all concerned at this terrible time.I certainly will have my eyes shut and I thank you for the tip.They said they would put something on so it didnt hurt but deep down Im nervous just in case.What a baby! Will let you know how it goes. Do take care all of you and Best Wishes for the New Year. I will be thinking of you all and especially Tracey at this time.
Hi All. well the dreaded deed was done yesterday and I feel on a high geting it out of the way.The Biopsy was uncomfortable but after the initial entering I didnt feel anything but a pressure.Nurses were very kind and chatted where possible. Now I have to wait until the 30th Jan for results which in one way I want to come quickly but in another I’m dreading the consultation as dont know if I could hold it together if its bad news. Anyway thought I would just update you and hopefully this might help someone else who is awaiting a core biopsy not to worry, it wasnt as bad as I had built up in my mind.By the way they took about five peices out is that the norm or is it different in every case? Will keep you all posted from time to time and look forward to hearing from some of you soon. Betty
Hi,
just trying to find my way around this site so hopefully Lily and Tracey who have been talking with me and supporting me will read this post. The breast calcifications were found to be benign.I’m still in total shock as it has been 16 days since my Biopsy and I was fearing the worse. I was hoping that after this scare that they would moniter me more closely in future in case of any change or growth of the deposits but have been told no, they will recall me in three years for a mammogram as normal, owing to Government guidelines! which is totally wrong in my opinion. Anyway its good news for now and I just have to let it sink in and hope the fear of it growing will recede in time. Thankyou so much for all the kind words and encouragement you both have given me and I hope that you are both well and getting on with your own lives happily after a very stressful time. Lots of Love Betty
Hi,
sorry, I posted on a lot of different threads but I lost all the bookmarks and brain can’t remember them all!
I am so so pleased to hear you are ok, congratulations. You must be very relieved. Actually bad news tends to come fast with results, so a wait can be a good sign sometimes.Don’t forget you can always pay privately for a mammo if you feel you want to at any time. I really understand how hard moving on can be. I finishedtreatment on new years eve, 10 months in total and it does tend to lurk in your mind and pop up unexpectedly and catch me out. Going back to work so that I am very busy will no doubt help. I had a check uo on Thursday and all was well. Another check up on Monday too.
Wishing you lots of luck
Lily x
Hi Lily,
I do hope your check up went well today and that all is ok for you to return to work as planned. Yes it is hard to move on after such a scare but I like the idea of yours to go private for a Mammogram in the future. It shouldnt be necessary though should it? but if I dont get called after a period of say eighteen months to two years I will certainly make sure I go private somehow. The Doctor I saw said he would like to offer me one in eighteen months time but his hands are tied by the Government guidelines. So there was nothing he could do about it. I sent an email to my local MP asking him to put some pressure on the powers that be to alter this timing for patients who have an ongoing concern such as mine! It remains to be seen whether I will receive and answer but I feel strongly that we will never get this cancer thing under control if we are not prepared to offer regular followup for patients who have something there thats not supposed to be. Sorry for going on so but still feel a bit raw on the subject. Do hope everything is under control for your return to work and I wish you every good wish for your future health. Many thanks for answering my meanderings. LoL Betty.
Hi betty.
so happy for you im having trouble with this site and finding people it took them so long to tell you that it was ok. but thats hospitals for you they dont seem to think about you as a person to them we are just boobs and they dont seem to worry how long they take over telling you whats wrong if anything.im so very happy i could shout it out i was very worried that as they were taking so long that there was something wrong so happy that i was wrong. hope you are well and keeping warm in this weather its just so cold had a burst pipe in my garden and there was water everywhere but was able to turn it off so when weather better will sort it out. take care.
Tracyxxxx
Hi Tracey
Thanks for the post its always so good to hear from you and Im so pleased for you that yours wasnt cancer. It must have been awful waiting and worrying all that time but I am so relieved for you now. I was so taken aback with my results to. It took a while to go in but I am now thinking Oh Wow Im ok! All you seem to hear about on the news is cancer and now its poor Jade Goody having more bad news. It is a horrible disease and we all have people we love who we have lost to it which brings it home to us how lucky we were to escape it. I hope your breast has healed well and that you are back to normal again healthwise. Sorry to hear about the burst pipe what a mess I bet, but at least it was outside and not indoors eh. I dont like this cold weather much but I am surviving and managing to wrap up and keep fairly well. Went down with a viral infection on my chest but think it was because of all the stress It laid me so low so I was ripe for it. Wil keep looking in from time to time to keep up with everyone.Take care and much love to you. Betty xxx