new here, calcifications

brooke17927

Hi, I'm new and not diagnosed, I had 2 mammograms and they're sending me for a stereostatic biopsy and I'm a wreck. My mom had stage 1 IDC about a year ago, mine I don't think is even similar though as hers was a tumor. I know that the risk is low for me but I just have so much anxiety. I called back and spoke to a mammogram tech this morning and she said that the report basically said loosely grouped calcifications. One group is around 3 CM and another group is around 1 CM. Any input appreciated.

Moderators

HI brooke, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're so sorry you're here and worrying but we're all here to help you. You may find this page from the main Breastcancer.org site helpful on Understanding Breast Calcifications.

Others will surely be by soon to support you and help ease your mind.

Sending good thoughts!

--The Mods

Polly413

brooke - I have had in the last 6 months 2 mammograms (one in May and one in Nov.) that each showed calcifications and each was given a BiRads4 rating. The first one I waited 6 months for a retest and there was no change (so conclusion is that it is scar tissue from an earlier breast reduction) and other one I did not want to wait for 6 months so I had an immediate stereotactic biopsy. I was very worried but it was benign. About 80% of calcifications flagged for biopsy turn out to be benign. Won't tell you not to worry because its natural to worry but the odds are on your side. Best wishes for a benign result. Polly

brooke17927

Thank you Polly, I appreciate that. I just need someone to keep telling me that until the beginning of the year (my biopsy is December 27).

Maggie3

Hi Brook I'm also new here I  feel your anxiety my stereotypic biopsy tomorrow 12/18/18 I am also a nervous wreck, it's for calcifications found in my right breast, then waiting for test results it's so stressful.  I will be sending good vibes to you and will post my experience.

Take Care

Maggie

brooke17927

positive vibes your way, what’s your report say? I just got mine today that it’s a BiRad 4. You’ll have to let me know about the biopsy. Did they say how long for results yet?

Maggie3

Hi Brook the biopsy wasn't that bad at all just being nervous & anxiety was the hard part.  I will not know anything they said til about Friday and that's the other hard part waiting.  I'm not sure what BIRAD4 is???  I had to do the biopsy because of calcification thy had changed in my breast since my last biopsy last year...let me know what your results meant sending hugs..

brooke17927

That's pretty quick results tho and at least you'll know before Christmas. My Biopsy isn't until next Thursday so I'm hoping to know something by New Years Eve. That's good to know about the biopsy tho. Did they give you any indication like it looked like nothing or anything? Mine is the same, I hadn't had a mammogram in 4 years and it had changed. My mom had stage 1 so of course you always just hope they're being overly cautious. Here's the explanation...https://breast-cancer.ca/bi-rads/

Maggie3

Well they said my mammogram last year had changed in my right breast far as calcifications crazy cause I didn't even know I had them in my right breast last year, they don't tell you if they look normal only when it changes so tt was a shock to me even finding out I had calcifications last year.   Your Mom having stage 1 what happened with that stage 1 isn't bad hope it worked out for her.  This whole thing is so shocking to me cancer runs in my family but not breast I know that doesn't matter.  My biopsy originally was set for 12/28/18 but they had a cancellation and asked me if I wanted to move up I was undecided ..do I find out before Christmas or after so I decided get it over with.  

I will let you know on results that will be so scary when that phone rings ... 

brooke17927

yeah I didn’t know I had them before either. My mom had a lumpectomy and radiation and she’s all good now.

brooke17927

I might call to see if I can get on the cancellation list, but idk if it’s even worth it now since it’s nect Thursday

Maggie3

What state you in Brooke?

GreenHarbor

Maggie and Brooke, I was diagnosed with calcifications 2 1/2 years ago. Because they were clustered together, the radiologist recommended mammograms every 6 months for 2 years. These were 3D mammos, with more pictures taken than a usual mammogram. The radiologist explained that he was looking to see if they multiplied in number, or if they changed shapes. Mine stayed the same. Ironically, at my most recent mammogram, the doc said I could go back to annual screening on that side, but saw something on the other side. This eventually proved to be a small IDC tumor, unrelated to the calcifications. The only reason I mention it is that you’ll see it in my signature below and I didn’t want you to feel more nervous than you already are! Good luck to you both, and keep us posted!

brooke17927

that's exactly what my mom had except her tumor was spottted just in a mammogram, I'm hopeful that if mine ends up being anything, that I would only need a lumpectomy. So the calcifications have been nothing? But they're still watching them?

brooke17927

Greenharbor, what does this mean? ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH)

Maggie3

Thanks Greenharbor so are you ok now??  I'm so stressed waiting for the results should be Friday they said , Thanks for telling us your story so many women suffer from this it's mind boggling and sad.  I'll keep you all posted.

brooke17927

hey Maggie, sorry, didn't see your comment asking what state, I'm in Indiana, where are you at? I called this morning and tried to get in sooner, they have nothing available but hopefully that put me on a cancellation list if they were to have an opening. I guess with the holiday though, there isn't much time for that. I'm not even really focused on Christmas because this is all I can think about, not really, but sorta, LOL. I am trying to stay calm and when I read things regarding calcifications being DCIS, it kinda makes me feel better, is that weird? I mean, I'm hopeful that worst case scenario would be a lumpectomy and radiation, I know that's still not good but I guess I feel like I have to mentally prepare myself.

I have heard from another friend that went to the same breast center I'm going to, that it would be 2-3 days and new years eve would be the 3rd day sorta since my appt is at 9:45 Thursday. I'm just really hoping for results by new years eve.

egregious

Hi Brooke and welcome! Hope you find good support and encouragement here.

ER+ means responsive to estrogen hormone, can be treated with a daily pill after whatever surgery and radiation they have in mind. For a small tumor you likely don't need chemo.

PR+ is similar, progesterone positive

HER2- means negative in testing for another factor. If you did have HER2+ then you could get Herceptin or other medicine specifically for this factor

FISH is a type of test for HER2.

I had calcifications on mammogram which turned out to be a large DCIS and a 2mm invasive tumor. They did an outpatient biopsy, then did a surgical biopsy and took the entire area out. Because it was a small tumor I actually look the same as before. Now I am almost done with radiation.

It doesn't hurt to wait a couple weeks between diagnosis and surgery. Of course it's really hard to WAIT. I think we all remember how terrible the WAITING is. In many ways even if you do have cancer - and you might not - you'll feel better once you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Wishing you quick and accurate results and a good path ahead.

brooke17927

Thank you for the info, according to my report, my calcifications are loosely clustered and are about 1 and 3 cm each. I'm a little nervous about the biopsy because I have implants that are over the muscle but what can you do. I'm just trying to stay hopeful and positive.

Maggie3

Hi Brooke I'm in Michigan so not that far away, sorry you couldn't get a cancellation but still possible.  I know I hardly can concentrate on Christmas I'm usually so into it but not this year, I seen you said you have implants I did too when I went in for a breast reduction 2 years ago I had them removed and a reduction done and mine were over the muscle.  I understand  your fear about having them during a biopsy but they know what their doing.  I'm so much happier with the smaller boobies..lol clothes fit so much better I was a 36 DDD went to a 36C Perfect. I'm sending hugs to you it's nice having someone to talk to in the same situation we will get through this were strong!

brooke17927

Yeah, it's okay, no big deal with the cancellation, I'm sure it would just bother me more that I had to wait longer. It makes me wonder if the calcifications could be scar tissue as another girl here I've talked to had breast augmentation too. I have had 2, I used to have 36DD and I had my implants replaced a few years ago and I'm a 36c now too, I am so much happier too as I'm pretty athletic. How old are you? Married, kids, etc? I'm 46 and I have a 10 year old son so trying to just focus on him and Christmas but it is hard!

Maggie3

I'm 47 have 2 boys I had really young 1 at 15 the other 16 I was married to their dad who is 6 years older then me, not anymore I'm re married to someone else.   Wow you have a ten year old that makes it harder with young kids, my kids are men since had them so young but they will always be my kids since we practically grew up together  lol  

brooke17927

Yeah, I haven't told him anything yet, weird though he mentioned something about cancer the other night like from song lyrics or something jokingly (like the def Leopard song) and then started asking questions about cancer, it was odd. Weird how you start noticing every little commercial about cancer too.

Maggie3

Oh my gosh I know seems like every commercial is about cancer definitely notice it more, everyday moves closer to Friday for me they said results then I'm so anxious and stressed , crying the whole.. kit n caboodle!!!   I can't function on much at all thank God I'm a Independent Insurance Agent and I make my own hours cause I would not of been able to work this week...

brooke17927

aw well keep us posted

brooke17927

I don't know why but I woke up in a panic this morning, my mom was diagnosed around this time last year and I feel like maybe it was a sign that I should've gone to get checked and what if things are worse now, a year later.

Maggie3

Good morning Brooke did your Mom have breast cancer ??

brooke17927

Yes, she did, she had stage 1, had IDC, lumpectomy and radiation. All is good now so I pray that would be the worst case scenario for me too.

Maggie3

That's good Brooke so happy to hear that.  Well, I'm happy to say I got my results today and they came back negative Thank God I was expecting the call  tomorrow but it was this afternoon I cried tears of happiness, I will continue praying for you sending love and positive thoughts!

brooke17927

yay! So happy for you

CrisL

Hi Maggie! I'm very happy you are done with this biopsy and everything is good! Hello Brooke! I am new here too and not diagnosed, I had 2 mammograms last week and they're sending me for a stereostatic biopsy on Jan 3and I am very scared and been very anxious and stressed out. I was told they compared to last years mammogram and there's a difference and several calcifications showed up. I am very nervous of the stereostatic biopsy and whatever the results may be... can I take any anxiety pills before and during the procedure? Please help me sort this scary time in my life. Praying for you Brooke and everyone going through this...Thank you!