Freaking out!!

Hi all,
I went for a mammogram two weeks ago and was called back for a closer view of my left breast (yesterday).
The radiologist called my back to his desk and showed me my mammogram from 14 months ago compared to the  mammogram just taken. The radiologist said that based on the clusters of microcalcifications and how rapidly they have grown indicates cancer. I am now scheduled for a stereotactic core biopsy next Wed.
After I heard the word cancer, everything was a blur, I am trying to read the booklet I was given and cant comprehend it. Can anyone please help me with questions to ask? My mother died at 42 from breast cancer so I am totally freaking out right now.
Also does anyone find it odd that I was told that my mammogram from 14 months ago was normal and now the radiologist points out the calcifications and compares them to my latest "closer view"
Any advice is much appreciated
Thanks,


This discussion is related to stereotactic biopsy done.

[zouzi]

Hi,
Microcalcifications are quite normal in breast tissue and they are not harmful.However, microcalcifications that grow in a cluster are suspicious because they sometimes cluster around a mass. In other words, while the mass may not be visualized on film, a cluster of microcalcifications may indicate that there is an abnormal growth in the area. It is proper in most cases to biopsy the area of microcalcifications.This would most likely be done with mammography guidance.The only way to determine if there is any cancer is to biopsy.
There isn't really much to ask until your biopsy is performed.When your results are in and depending on the outcome,everything is going to be explained to you by your doctor.
Many biopsies done on clustered calcification return a benign finding though.But if not,the malignancy is at a very early stage and very curable. I hope that your biopsy result will be favorable as it happens in so many other similar cases.
Hang in there and I wish you all the best ...

[frankey123]

Thanks :)

[ncmichigan]

I just sent a response to Elly 1967 and I think what I told her would be helpful to you also.
Everyone here can understand your fears and concerns, because we've all been through it.
I'm really sorry to hear about your mother and I KNOW that increases your risk and your anxiety-my sister was diagnosed at 48 and died at 51. Like zouzi, I think most of us here try to emphasize that statistically most biopsies end up with benign results. Until you have the biopsy results, try not to worry about the "what ifs" and and just deal with "what is". This web site has some really good information on breast calcifications provided by the Mayo Clinic and the American Cancer Society and I think you'll find it really helpful and encouraging: http://breastcancer.about.com/od/mammograms/p/calcifications.htm
I'm near Ann Arbor, so we're sorta neighbors! I wish you all the best and I'm hoping to hear back from you that you had benign results. Sending a big hug (     ),
nc

[frankey123]

thank you, I will ck it out.