Clustered Microcalcification

[mel43]

I'm very new at this, on July 26th I had a mammogram & was called back for a magnified mommogram. I have been called and told I need to see the surgeon on Aug. 8th to schedule a biopsy. My report read, Clustered Microcalcification of the left breast at 1:00 outer BIRAD-4. So I'm in panic mode, I live in a very Rural area, I'm 43 this is my second mammogram. I'm scared to death, not sure what to expect or what the statistics are. I have had no symtoms until I had the magnified test now my breast is sore and has a burning sensation. Is this normal??
I have very small breast, what should I expect in the up coming weeks. I need help, I'm still trying to understand all of this. Now every ache & pain I feel through out my body I panic. There is no history of breast cancer in my family. There isn't really anyone to talk to here, and the doctors office people don't seem to be the compassionate type of people. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[cyn17]

Mel, I had a biopsy last summer. I too was very scared. The procedure for me lasted about 1 1/2 hrs. and I did not feel any pain. In my case, the biopsy was on my left breast. So I was laying on my back with a foam wedge under my left shoulder blade and I had my left arm up over my head. There were two very nice nurses that took turns holding my arm steady, as it started shaking after about an hour of having it above my head. That truly was the most difficult part. As for the biopsy itself, first the doctor tried to do an aspiration of the cyst. The cyst was hard, actually a fibroadenoma. The doctor then took about 10 or so tissue samples around the cyst with a core needle. I never felt any pain, just pressure in the area. My results came back benign.

Please note, this will likely not be the last time you have to do this if you have cystic breasts. I just had an MRI on both breasts and awaiting results and visit with surgeon. At first I drove myself nuts with worry (this has been a summer long process of mammo, ultrasound, MRI, etc). Now I'm to a point where I know I'm in control of my thoughts and feelings and will handle whatever comes my way with knowledge and grace. This particular site has been wonderfully helpful. Read everything you can find. Knowledge is power!! I wish you all the best!

[Happy4825]

Dear Mel:

Many times it is not cancer.  So don't start to worry now.  You will feel better after you speak with your Surgeon. I know that panic feeling I had it when my biopsy showed I had stage one cancer in my right breat.  I decided if I did have cancer I would have the breast removed.  There are so many ways to take care of cancer with out having the breast removed.  My surgeon said if that was what I wanted it was fine with him.  I was glad I had a choice.  I am fine now and take a pill to help keep me free of cancer.  I know the word cancer is scary but it doesn't have too be they do miracles now. If you would like to E-mail me that would be fine.  I would love to help you anyway I can.  ***@****

[Under Forty Pam]

I just got thru the entire stage you are going thru in July.  Mine was DCIS in situ, hopefully you will turn out with no cancer.  The amount of pain involved in a biopsy I believe is related to how good your surgeon is.  Please please find a breast surgeon with years of experience.  My biopsy was with a breast surgeon (2 yrs experience) and I played softball 4 days later.  My lumpectomy surgery was with a different dr. (35 yrs experience) and I felt less pain with that if you can believe it.  My biopsy was about 1 hr in length total, face down on a special table where your breast goes thru a hole.  I am told it is fairly common but scarey as a first time biopsy person too.  A nurse calmed me and told me everything that was going to happen.  Most of the procedure is prep and mammogram type of things.  Measure, films, adjust, films, films, films.  The actual process of taking the biopsy is a 12 second process.  You are in a mammogram type of position (pressure) for about 30 minutes, that is the hardest part, they numb the area and you don't actually feel the biopsy, hope this helps.

[mel43]

Thank you all for all your help, as I stated earlier I live in a remote rural area and that makes it hard to find someone who understands. You all have been a lot of help and will let you know how it turns out.

Thank you

[mel43]

Hi Teddy1, it's nice to hear from someone who understands it's been a bad week for myself and husband and daughter. I try to keep what I can away from my daughter but being 16 she knows a lot, my husband tries hard to understand. I'm just so scared of everything that is going on and not knowing what to expect. I don't know what to ask the surgeon next week when I meet with him for my consultation, I'm still trying to get over the shock of having to have a byopsy.
Would like any advice you can give.

[teddy1]

hi mel this is teddy1 and i know what u are going thru. i had the same mamo and then the u s and then the biospy and then the cor biopsy. then the lumpeptomy. i have more to tell. but ill wait to hear from u . please dont get nervous. your situation can be fine. i do wish u luck.  if i can be of any support to u . please let me know.