Should I have the calcifications surgically removed?

[swalker371]

I had DCIS diagnosis in left breast March 2003.  Mastectomy and reconstruction (not complete yet).  I have 6 month mammograms, last week was the mammogram, calcifications showed up and had the biopsy done Tuesday.  Hospital just called and said there is NO Cancer!!  Thank you Jesus!  Now, the question is - because of my history, should I have these surgically removed?  Is there any chance that they would turn in to a cancer?  Pardon me for being so scared, but I've been there and done that.
Thanks so much for your help.
swalker371

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear swalker371:  Calcifications themselves are not cancer.  However, they tend to grow in clusters around tissue that may be cancerous.  Therefore, when a mammogram shows calcifications, doctors biopsy the tissue in the calcifications to make sure the calcifications are not hiding anything.  As long as the doctors are confident that they have biopsied the tissue in question, you should feel better.  However, because of your one diagnosis, your risk of developing another cancer in the other breast is higher.  You should talk with your doctor about whether there may be additional things to do (like tamoxifen - depending on other factors) to assist in breast cancer prevention.

[swalker371]

Thank you so much for your reply.  I am currently taking Arimidex, and have ever since my mastectomy.  It was the nurse who called me this morning with the good news.  She said the dr. had not looked at the report yet, and would still want me to come in and talk to her so she could recommend my follow-up direction.  I just wasn't sure if I should ask her about removing the calcium.  Another lady who had calcifications, told me that hers were not cancerous, but they surgically removed them anyway.
Thanks again for being there for all of us who are so scared and confused.  You are providing such a wonderful site, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
swalker371