Abnormal Mammogram

[laylaviernes]

I am a 32 year old female.  I noticed about 2 months ago a lump in my left breast.  I went right away to my doctor to be checked out she sent me for a mammogram as well as a ultrasound of my left breast.  The report came back as Category 5 and it states on my report suspicious small cluster of microcalcifications .  I was refered to a breast/ surgeon/ Oncologist.  I am so emotional upset and fustrated.  I am going in on the 16th Sept for a Sterotactic Biopsy to find out what this may be.  I have read in other forums that people that have small clusters of microcalcifications more then likely have cancer is that true or false.  I just need some help in understanding what this is and possible what to expect.  I have no history of breast cancer in my family but other forms of cancer though.  Please if you could give me some information on what to possible expect any little bit of information at this point will help me.

[cldubsokind]

   Hello, I was just were you are about a month ago. I hear your concern. I am 32 as well and found a large mass in my breast that turned out to be cancerous. Remember you still have an 80% chance that it is benign so be hopeful. I am sending you a private message.

[katarina777]

If it does turn out to be cancer, it is not going to be as horrible as you imagine it to be, and these days treatment is not only more advanced and better, but you don't get that sick. The surgery is not very painful, and if you for any reason should at some point have to have chemo, it's no longer about throwing up all day. You are still so young and I think that would makes things harder psychologically, but you can do it and will be able to deal with it. I hope of course that your results will be negative, as in no cancer, but just also want you to know that it's not as bad as you may think? or, as bad as I thought it would be to have cancer at all. best wishes, Katrin

[katarina777]

birads 5 is worrisome and I understand your concern. It's also a long time to wait for you to have the biopsy. It does not mean you have cancer, but 5 is seriously highly suspicious.
Meaning, there is a good chance you may have cancer, and probably a higher chance of yes than no.

[iam1butterfly]

Those microcalcifications rarely suggest the presence of Cancer.
In fact, they are usually found to be of a benign origin. Of course, the very fact that they appear, at all, is an abnormality; and may be an indication that something within the surrounding breast tissue is triggering these growths. But, that "something" doesn't necessarily mean Cancer. As with all abnormalities, calcifications need to be checked out, monitored and in many cases... biopsied.
By the way, I've had that stereotactic procedure as I also have microcalcifications in my right breast. Although it's a bit of an uncomfortable and time consuming process, I didn't find it to be scary or invasive. A local anesthetic is used; a needle probe is inserted to obtain the biopsy sample; a microscopic titanium clip is inserted to mark the biopsy site for future diagnostic referencing.
There will be some swelling and bruising but, healing is relatively quick. The pain was minimal (managed with extra strength Tylenol). And, the dimple-like scar that I was left with is barely noticeable.

Take care, try to relax and good luck with the biopsy.