Calcifications of the breast and testing

I recently succombed to having a breast biopsy to investigate calcifications in my left breast.  Thankfully it was benign however I am left with so many questions as well as a huge hematoma and pain.  Here are my questions...if calcifications can be seen on a mammogram, can we tell which ones are dangerous and which are not so as to avoid the trauma of biopsy?  Do all radiologists read mammograms differently?  We are so at the mercy of the radiologists' opinion as to biopsy or not.  I had a surgeom look at my films and she said the calcifications did not look suspicious but the radiologists were relentless in insisting I have a biopsy.  Isn't it true that calcifications have been found in the breasts of most old women on autopsy.  Isn't it also true tha in the event that calcifications do become DCIS, they  may never casue a problem?  The biopsy was very traumatic for me.  I love my breasts and now have a titanium chip implanted which rather freaks me out.  I never was able to look into the radiologists' eyes who performed the biopsy and have her voiced permanently etched into my brain.  "Just one more sample.  Don't move now.  Does it hurt?"..Ummmm, yes it hurt!!!!!  I lost a child to over testing so I am very sensitive to the possibility that there are some tests that can be avoided and we should leave well enough alone.  Also, in this economic climate I would suspect that biopsies make hospitals and radiology companies more money than a mere mammogram.  I was simply being a good girl and doing what "they" say is right in having regular mammograms but now I am now considering never going back for another mammogram but opting for thermography instead.  Can you talk me down off of this ledge?

[japdip]

I'm not sure I can answer all of your questions to your satisfaction but first I'll remind you that any testing or treatment is solely up to you and if you don't agree with any recommendation then you should make your feelings known BEFORE the procedure is done and either get a second opinion or outright refuse. NO, there is no way to tell by film alone whether any finding is benign or malignant. Calcifications that are seen in groups or clustered are always a reason for biopsy. All Radiologists DO NOT read films differently but may have different opinions related to their length of experience. The Titanium chip was implanted thru a needle and is so small that it should not cause any problem EXCEPT prevent a future biopsy in the same area. Having a Surgeon look at your films isn't really a second opinion .... that would be having your films read by another Radiologist as this is their specialty and they practice it every day. Not continuing to have regular Mammograms is a rather odd thought when you say that your breasts are very important to you .... it's like not going to the dentist because you love your teeth but refuse to take care of them .... except it much more serious. A cavity wouldn't kill you but Breast Cancer could if left undetected. I don't mean to be harsh but I do hope you backed away from the ledge at least a few feet. One more; calcifications do appear normally in breast tissue ... scattered about and these are of no particular concern so use your head and get a second opinion when you feel uncomfortable with any recommendation.  Kindest regards ....