Calcification and upcoming biopsy

Enthuzimuzzy,

As the Moderators said, don't jump to conclusions. In a couple of sentences, you've gone straight from A to Z. That's not how it works and that's not what will happen.

So, some facts.

- Calcifications are extremely common. Most calcifications - something like 95% - are benign. Sometimes though it is difficult to tell from the appearance on imaging whether calcs are benign or malignant. Those are labelled as being "suspicious". When that happens, a biopsy is ordered.

- Overall, about 70%-75% of biopsies are benign. Most biopsies are done to rule out cancer, not because a cancer diagnosis is expected. "Suspicious calcifications" often end up being benign.

- And if the biopsy is malignant? Calcifications most often represent DCIS, which is a non-invasive condition, Stage 0 breast cancer. In fact by some definitions DCIS is not a cancer but a pre-cancer, because it stays in the ducts of the breast and doesn't spread.

- In a small percentage of cases, when suspicious calcifications appear on imaging, some invasive cancer is found along with the DCIS. Usually it's only a very small amount, very treatable. In fact overall, 80% of breast cancer diagnoses are early stage, and the percent would be higher when the presentation on imaging is calcifications.

- You have a high resting heart rate and high LDL. Totally separate issues; high LDL is pretty common (about 20% of women your age) and you should talk to your doctor about the high resting heart rate and any possible associated heart-health concerns. But neither of those conditions have anything to do with finding calcifications in your breast.

So when you say, "Then I correlate the heart rate and blood test with this and it looks pretty grim. Articles all over the place (medical websites not blogs) say that tachycardia and high LDH levels correspond with a high mortality rate in cancer.", you are jumping so far from where you are today, you are making so many assumptions and presuming so many worst case scenarios that... well, I truly don't what to say. You have a biopsy, not a cancer diagnosis. Most biopsies are benign. If your biopsy does find cancer, it is extremely likely to either be non-invasive or very early stage - treatable and with a high survival rate. Saying "Basically I feel like I found out I have cancer when I have a month to live." and "I don't want to put anyone through this. I'd rather disappear or die now." is so far from reality that you are on a different planet. Honestly.

Since you are on this site, take a look around. Most of us here have breast cancer, and are either currently in treatment or previously treated. We are all here offering support and living our lives. The reality of what you fear is all of us; it's not what you are thinking.

When is your biopsy? And do you have a copy of the radiology report that describes the area of calcifications? The way the calcs are described may help narrow down the odds of what you are likely looking at (and hopefully it's a benign biopsy result).

Hello Enthuzi.....Welcome and deep breaths..... Beesie was right on with all she said and I hope you can appreciate she cared enough to type all of that out.... To ground you further.... I just had (another) heart monitor for tachycardia that's been ongoing for 3 years. I have high LDL and heart conditions dating back 2+ decades and these have nothing to do with my DCIS diagnosis back in July 2020. Even with all the medical stuff I have going on I still work part-time, take care of my home, exercise, enjoy time with family and friends (COVID safe these days), etc. etc. The issues you are talking about with heart and breast health are unrelated and you can live a very long time even if you end up diagnosed with something related to both..... Please take one step at a time regarding the breast health and upcoming biopsy.... see what your other doc (PCP?) says about cardiovascular health, including lifestyle changes which may be a better use of your Google/Bing time really.... Hang in there and please keep us updated on your biopsy....

There's a difference between being supportive in a practical and positive way, which Beesie and LivinLife and I (and others) do for anyone who posts, and enabling someone to give in to their worst fears, which is what you seem to want.

Enthuzimuzzy,

I was not belittling your fears. Your fears are real. Your feelings are valid. I understand that and I am so sorry that you are so scared.

What I was explaining is that the reasoning behind your fears is not based on reality. That's very different. I was challenging the information that is making you so scared, and I was providing you with factual information about calcifications, biopsies and breast cancer, with the hope of alleviating your fears, at least a bit. My suggestion that you look at those of us here with breast cancer was not to suggest that your feelings aren't valid because others have bigger problems but was to show you that life goes on after a breast cancer diagnosis.

My intent was certainly not to upset you so I will delete my previous post.