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Lynni35
Lynni35 Member Posts: 10
edited June 2016 in Benign Breast Conditions

I just got back from 6 month follow up for calcification monitoring. 4 more calcifications were found. Has anyone had something similar amd have it be benign? TERRIFIED!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2016

    Most women have calcifications as they age. What were the recommendations?

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  • Lynni35
    Lynni35 Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    biopsy. Do you think it can be benign to have an increase of 4 calcifications in 6 months? The reason for biospy is because there are more. I know they are normal but I am so scared because there are more.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2016

    Yes, most biopsies (about 80%) are benign, even with calcifications.

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  • Lynni35
    Lynni35 Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you for replying. Waiting sucks.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2016

    It does indeed.

    It helps to tell yourself that as far as you know now you are fine and until a biopsy says otherwise it is the truth. Bear in mind that anything with the appearance of having a better than 2% chance of being cancer is recommended for biopsy, so most of them really are benign. If it looked to be almost surely cancer they would usually tell you that they believe it is..


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  • Lynni35
    Lynni35 Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you so mich for responding! I am so lucky that my PCP is full of empathy, he got on phone with me, told me they are TINY. That years ago a biopsy wouldn't even had been done. But, nowadays, they are more cautious with things.so they can treat aggressively if it is something. That it will all be removed with the biopsy and he is there for me. He also assured me that he doesn't hold back and would tell me. I wish everyone could have a Pcp like mine!

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  • Lynni35
    Lynni35 Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    I lost my mom in 2012 to breast cancer. Miss her every day. Thank you again for answering.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2016

    I'm sorry about your Mom and know that increases your anxiety level too. Hang in there and let us know what you find out

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  • LRGO2016
    LRGO2016 Member Posts: 242
    edited June 2016

    Lynni35,

    I too had micro calcification and repeated biopsies. Each time I had to undergo the procedure left me terrified of the possible outcome. All were false alarms but my terror was all too real.

    To assess my resl risk, I decided to get genetically tested. I found out I am BRCA1 +

    Because my family history contains a list of cancer stories, my risk was assessed at 90% certainty of developing Breast cancer by the time I reached 70 years.

    I opted to undergo a Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy 5 weeks ago. I no longer have to live in terror of my calcification and the biopsies. I finally have a sense of emotional security about my risk of BC. It is lower than it has or will ever be!

    I know the fear you are living with. All I can say is ask your doctors to help you navigate your options and the stress you are feeling.

    Consider genetic testing. If you are negative for any del gene markers, it may give you a sense of comfort and help you cope. If you are positive, then you and your doctors can design an appropriate and more proactive diagnostic strategy for monitoring your breast health. This would allow you to catch any cancers at their earliest stage, thus insuring the best possible outcome for your long-term health.

    Read the book "A Cancer in the family", by Dr. Theodora Ross. I've put a link in the thread on resources in this community.

    Topic: Great book on Genetic testing & risk!

    Forum: High Risk for Breast Cancer — Due to family history, genetics, or other factors.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/47/topics/844380?page=1#idx_8


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  • Lynni35
    Lynni35 Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you all for responding to my post. Birads 4. I had biopsy done yesterday. I looked at them on screen, they were linear, round in shape and so tiny that I had to have them pointed out and still could barely see them (wasn't wearing my reading glasses). I was lucky to have a great team, great radiologist, who even told me afterwards he didn't think it looked like cancer and if it was, it wasn't life threatening. Today, I had severe anxiety all day. My Dr's office is closed until next Tues, so I shamelessly harassed the radiologist, who reluctantly agreed to call me. He did call and it is benign. Now, a little bit of soreness is kicking in. I am thinking, I would like to stick around here for a while to see if I can offer support. :)

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