microcalcifications on mammo

i went for a mammo in aug 2005 and was called back for further views. after the views i was told that i had a cluster of microcalcifications which were more prominent than in my 2003
mammo. birad 4 . suggest consultation with surgeon and biopsy.
needless to say i am scared to death that this is cancer. what are the odds that it is benign?  what else could cause clusters other than breast cancer. ?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Corkey11:  Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue. There are different types of microcalcifications, and based on their pattern on the mammogram it gives the radiologist clues as to their cause. For instance microcalcifications that are more scattered are probably due to a benign (non-cancerous) cause, a

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