microcalcification cluster

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Annalee6
Annalee6 Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1
i would really appreciate any advice given. i am 47 years old.i had my yearly mammogram a few weeks ago. they asked me back for a second. had that last week. the doctor came in and said i have a cluster of calcifications. said it was probably nothing and that i should just come back in 6 months and have another mammogram. i told him my oldest sister (now 51) had breast cancer a few years ago. the same thing happened to her. she had calcifications and they told her to come back in 6 months and they would watch it. when she went back it was agressive cancer. she also had brca test and it was positive. i have not had mine yet. she first had a lumpectomy then a double mastectomy. the doctor said if i thought i would worry for 6 months he could request a stereotactic biopsy now. given my family history i feel like it is best for me to go ahead and find out now instead of waiting for 6 months but the doctor acted like waiting would not matter. when i get everything set up with the doctor my sister wants me to ask them to remove the calcifications when they do the biopsy. it this necessary? if it does not show as cancer now, will that change in the future? i am not worried either way, whatever the Lord had in store for me i am ready. i just feel like if i can get a jump on things now instead of waiting 6 months the better for my family. i am a stay at home mom with four children (ages 21,17, 10, 3). the first thing i am doing is taking care of life insurance which i have procrastinated about. it could take up to 30 days to get that taken care of. i know if i have this biopsy first and it is cancer i can kiss any insurance for my family goodbye! my husband supports whatever i decide to do. thanks for any advice that's given.

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  • atiredparent
    atiredparent Member Posts: 45
    #2
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    decisions are hard
    Really only you can make your decision. I can tell you that everyone is different.

    I have breast cancer that is very aggressive. I had a mammogram 2 weeks before I found the lump. The first mammo showed nothing and was just a routine mammogram. I found the very large and very hard to miss lump 2 weeks after that mammogram. Doc ordered a core view and ultrasound which showed area that was suspiscious and then the biopsy found aggressive triple negative cancer. The tumor was large when I finally had the surgery. Doctor rushed my procedure. I had double mastectomy withing 2 weeks of biopsy and 1 1/2 month after initial routine mammogram. I will be starting chemo this next week and will follow with radiation. Margins were narrow and doctor said would have invaded chest wall or muscle within weeks.

    I chose a double mastectomy because I didn't want to spend my life worrying that the cancer would return in the unaffected breast.

    If I could have done anything to find the cancer sooner and prevented my having to endure chemo or radiation or even a lumpectomy vs a mastectomy I would have jumped on it. I personally would not even hesitate on doing the biopsy, but you need to weigh the pro's and con's or risks and benefits. You have a family history of breast cancer and from what I have heard cancer often starts as calcifications so yes it can very much change as your sister found out. I too would probably choose to have them removed right away vs the risk of waiting. But again only you can make the choices.

    Good luck on your decision.
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #3
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    Personally, I would have the
    Personally, I would have the biopsy now. Calcifications are common but with your sister being so young and positive for the brca gene, there is no reason to wait. Removing all the calicifications in your breast may be difficult if you have dense breast.
    If this is not cancer it does not mean you will have cancer later or you won't have cancer later it just means this is not cancer. I know it would be nice to know for sure what is in store.
    All the best,
    Cindy

    PS - you should request an MRI given your family history. The doctor should be able to order it and insurance should cover it.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
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    mamolady said:

    Personally, I would have the
    Personally, I would have the biopsy now. Calcifications are common but with your sister being so young and positive for the brca gene, there is no reason to wait. Removing all the calicifications in your breast may be difficult if you have dense breast.
    If this is not cancer it does not mean you will have cancer later or you won't have cancer later it just means this is not cancer. I know it would be nice to know for sure what is in store.
    All the best,
    Cindy

    PS - you should request an MRI given your family history. The doctor should be able to order it and insurance should cover it.

    If your sister BRCA positive
    I am surprised that you have not been tested yet. Insurance not always covers it, however is wort to try. Ask referrals for genetic counseling. If you are not satisfied with your doctor, find another one. You should see a breast surgeon, again with your family history you need to be closely monitored. Please be proactive, you are in charge.
    Let us know,
    Hugs
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #5
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    New Flower said:

    If your sister BRCA positive
    I am surprised that you have not been tested yet. Insurance not always covers it, however is wort to try. Ask referrals for genetic counseling. If you are not satisfied with your doctor, find another one. You should see a breast surgeon, again with your family history you need to be closely monitored. Please be proactive, you are in charge.
    Let us know,
    Hugs

    I think you need to do what
    I think you need to do what makes you comfortable. With the family history I think that having a biopsy now is a good idea. Calcifications can be nothing but clusters can be a reason for concern. Be proactive for your peace of mind. Just my opinion.
    Stef
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #6
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    waiting 6 months?
    First I would want to know what Doctor is telling you to wait 6 months? Is he/she an oncologist? has an MRI been ordered, there needs to be a bit more follow up and you need more information in order to make an informed decision. A Biopsy is one way to get that information, and then you can decide about waiting or not. I have just undergone chemo then surgery, I decided on a lumpectomy, and my margins came back clean, then I followed it up with radiation~I was very lucky, my calcification was there for nearly 30 years before it decided to move into my lymph nodes...and create a lump under my arm that set off the alarms..and about the Dr. if you are doubting his/her response now, perhaps a new one is in order. The Lord wants you alive. You aren't much good to him otherwise. So I wouldn't wait for any life insurance to kick in~I would have to trust that the Lord could take care of my family. Now go take care of You~
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #7
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    New Flower said:

    If your sister BRCA positive
    I am surprised that you have not been tested yet. Insurance not always covers it, however is wort to try. Ask referrals for genetic counseling. If you are not satisfied with your doctor, find another one. You should see a breast surgeon, again with your family history you need to be closely monitored. Please be proactive, you are in charge.
    Let us know,
    Hugs

    Genetic testing
    Keep in mind that having the genetic testing when you do not have cancer can cause you problems with even medical insurance if you ever have to purchase private insurance. Your sister has cancer so the testing makes sense. Just the fact that she has BC puts you at a higher risk so you should be pro-active with screening.

    Cindy
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #8
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    sinee said:

    waiting 6 months?
    First I would want to know what Doctor is telling you to wait 6 months? Is he/she an oncologist? has an MRI been ordered, there needs to be a bit more follow up and you need more information in order to make an informed decision. A Biopsy is one way to get that information, and then you can decide about waiting or not. I have just undergone chemo then surgery, I decided on a lumpectomy, and my margins came back clean, then I followed it up with radiation~I was very lucky, my calcification was there for nearly 30 years before it decided to move into my lymph nodes...and create a lump under my arm that set off the alarms..and about the Dr. if you are doubting his/her response now, perhaps a new one is in order. The Lord wants you alive. You aren't much good to him otherwise. So I wouldn't wait for any life insurance to kick in~I would have to trust that the Lord could take care of my family. Now go take care of You~

    Only you can decide
    but with the family history and your concerns, if it was me I'd go for it. My GP very gently remineded me that I have to take care of me first if I want to take care of the rest of the family (aging mother and in-laws.) A number of things were put on hold while dealt with this BC. But I'm WORTH IT and so are you. Fight like a girl!
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #9
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    skipper54 said:

    Only you can decide
    but with the family history and your concerns, if it was me I'd go for it. My GP very gently remineded me that I have to take care of me first if I want to take care of the rest of the family (aging mother and in-laws.) A number of things were put on hold while dealt with this BC. But I'm WORTH IT and so are you. Fight like a girl!

    As the others have said, it is your decision---but
    I can only tell you my story. I'm not trying to frighten you in any way--just give you my story. I had a cluster of microcalcifications that were missed on yearly mammos. They found them on ultrasound and MRI. I immediately had a MRI guided biopsy because they were close to the chest wall and they could not do a stereotactic biopsy. I had a lumpectomy and axillary node dissection. They turned out to be Stage 3C invasive ductal carcinoma with 10 positive lymph nodes. I never had a palpable lump--just had a voice in my head telling me to get checked out--in my opinion, God.

    In my opinion (which is based on what happened to me), don't wait. Even if it's nothing--which it may well be--at least you know and you can move on with your life. If it's something, then you take care of it ASAP.

    Good luck to you and please keep us posted.

    Hugs, Renee
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #10
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    fauxma said:

    I think you need to do what
    I think you need to do what makes you comfortable. With the family history I think that having a biopsy now is a good idea. Calcifications can be nothing but clusters can be a reason for concern. Be proactive for your peace of mind. Just my opinion.
    Stef

    I agree with not waiting 6
    I agree with not waiting 6 months to get a biopsy. Calcifications don't have to be bc, but there again, they could be and you need to know for peace of mind.

    Good luck and let us know what you do.


    Hugs, Jan
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #11
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    I had 2 stereotactic biopsies that were negative,
    and then the one that led me to this board. So, my opinion is to have the biopsy and whichever way it turns out, at least you will have an answer and a direction.

    Sue
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #12
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    sbmly53 said:

    I had 2 stereotactic biopsies that were negative,
    and then the one that led me to this board. So, my opinion is to have the biopsy and whichever way it turns out, at least you will have an answer and a direction.

    Sue

    Follow your gut
    Follow your gut instinct. If it were me, I would have the biopsy now. I'd rather be safe than sorry. But you have to do what you feel is best for you. I'm glad you're husband is supportive of you - whatever you decide.

    You'll find the sisters here are very supportive and have tons of information.

    Lots of prayers and hugs,
    Debi
  • robang13
    robang13 Member Posts: 333
    #13
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    Wow! When my classifications
    Wow! When my classifications were found in feb i was told that they "looked" suspicious. Long story short, biopsy, lumpectomy, radiation. Now, I was also told that I had classifications in my other breast that have been there for years and do not look suspicious, so they are left alone. Was this a radiologist that told you about them? What I would do and have done in the past , is take the mammo to a surgeon for a second opinion, preferably a breast surgeon. That is what I did. I went directly from the place I get my mammos to a surgeons office. He looked at the films and said he didn't like the way it looked and the rest is history. YOU have to have a settled mind. If you have any misgivings you have to get it checked out. You don't want to be sorry years from now. Good luck in your decision. If you need to vent, vent away. This board has been my lifesaver!!

    Angela
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #14
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    mamolady said:

    Personally, I would have the
    Personally, I would have the biopsy now. Calcifications are common but with your sister being so young and positive for the brca gene, there is no reason to wait. Removing all the calicifications in your breast may be difficult if you have dense breast.
    If this is not cancer it does not mean you will have cancer later or you won't have cancer later it just means this is not cancer. I know it would be nice to know for sure what is in store.
    All the best,
    Cindy

    PS - you should request an MRI given your family history. The doctor should be able to order it and insurance should cover it.

    I had microcalcifications
    I had microcalcifications that turned out to be bc. They found out is bc when they sent me for a core needle biopsy. Mine was caught early, which I am thankful for.

    But, many calcifications are benign, so, please don't think only the worse.


    If something, that little voice in your head, is telling you to get a biopsy, then I feel you should.

    Good luck!
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #15
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    robang13 said:

    Wow! When my classifications
    Wow! When my classifications were found in feb i was told that they "looked" suspicious. Long story short, biopsy, lumpectomy, radiation. Now, I was also told that I had classifications in my other breast that have been there for years and do not look suspicious, so they are left alone. Was this a radiologist that told you about them? What I would do and have done in the past , is take the mammo to a surgeon for a second opinion, preferably a breast surgeon. That is what I did. I went directly from the place I get my mammos to a surgeons office. He looked at the films and said he didn't like the way it looked and the rest is history. YOU have to have a settled mind. If you have any misgivings you have to get it checked out. You don't want to be sorry years from now. Good luck in your decision. If you need to vent, vent away. This board has been my lifesaver!!

    Angela

    I wouldn't wait another day
    I wouldn't wait another day to find out what going on. I was told for years I had lots of calcifications but no one suggested any further tests, not any of my drs thought to look more deeply. BC was in my family history and it should have been looked at. Luckily I had a slow growing cancer but it still didn't show up on mamograms. I caught it when my nipple inverted, being pulled in by 3 tumors. Being proactive is where you want to be now and I think most of us are saying, get the ultrasounds, biopsies, whatever you need to ease your mind. We're keeping you in our prayers for a good result. Keep posting.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #16
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    debi.18 said:

    Follow your gut
    Follow your gut instinct. If it were me, I would have the biopsy now. I'd rather be safe than sorry. But you have to do what you feel is best for you. I'm glad you're husband is supportive of you - whatever you decide.

    You'll find the sisters here are very supportive and have tons of information.

    Lots of prayers and hugs,
    Debi

    I agree to follow your gut
    I agree to follow your gut feeling. I'd get the biopsy now too, so that I would know one way or the other. Best of luck to you!


    Hugs, Megan
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
    #17
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    DO NOT HESITATE
    Do not hesitate to have a stereotactic biopsy and have those calcifications removed quickly. I had one calcification which was 0 stage DCIS. Two other specks were benign. My margins were never clear, which meant that there were cancer cells that could only be seen under a microscope and they were at the edge of the breast tissue that was removed during a surgical biopsy.

    Also since your sister has the Braca gene and you have children , ask to be tested for the Braca gene.

    DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER 6 MONTHS. Be firm with your doctor, or change to a new doctor.

    I don't think you will have a problem with your life insurance Take care of it immediately.

    Calcifications can be benign or can be cancerous. Don't let it fool you. Have it tested quickly.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle

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