Microcalcifications

I have a long family history of breast cancer - maternal aunt, maternal grandmother, sister developed at 32 and died at 39.
I am 47 and have mamograms on a yearly basis. After my mamogram (mammogram) this past April, I was called in for a diagnostic mamogram (mammogram) due to the presence of microcalcifications. The diagnostic mamogram (mammogram) showed the microcalcifactions in the right breast, but they were random, not 'clustered'. It was requested that I return for a second diagnostic in three months. This one showed 'no change', and now I have been asked to return in six months, due to my family history. Do all microcalcifications eventually 'cluster' or do some just maintain ramdomly forever?  As long as the calcifications appear on the mammogram, should I continue to have more frequent mammograms?
I have also noticed a 'change' in my right breast recently. During my 'monthly cycle', my breasts always get slightly 'larger and fuller' - however, for the past two months, only my left breast is going through this change at that 'time of month'. Can this be related to the calcifications, or is it possibly related to the onset of menapause that I am also experiencing? (My Dr. had my estrogen level checked recently and it was around 70) Thanks for your input on all of the above!!

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Delta, A large percentage of microcalcifications have nothing to do with cancer and probably the result of normal wear and tear on the breast.  Some cluster together and look very suspicious and a biopsy might be the decided course of action right away.  Some may be very scattered or in a pattern which are very unlikely to be cancerous.  However some are just in-between the extremes so rechecking more often makes sense especially considering your strong family history.  The idea is that if something suspicious did present the earlier it is checked out, the earlier it would be treated if necessary, and overall improves the outcome.  

There is a relatively new procedure called ductal lavage which is being used in some high risk women to attempt to detect abnormal looking cells while they are still within the duct of the breast.  It is not a test that is appropriate for all high-risk women but for those that it is, it could be helpful.  

Ductal lavage involves three steps.  First, gentle suction is applied to the nipple to identify which milk ducts produce droplets of fluid on the nipple surface.  Next, a hair-thin microcatheter is inserted gently into the natural milk duct opening on the nipple surface.  Approximately 2-4 teaspoons of sterile saline is slowly infused through the microcatheter to