Cluster of Calcification in Mammogram

[Under Forty Pam]

I am having a breast biopsy done this Friday due to a circle cluster of calcification.  Apparently a year ago I had only a scatter pattern of no concern.  What causes this calcium deposits, can I change something I am doing exercise and eating?  Also, I have read I have a 4 / 5 chance of it not being cancer, is this accurate?  Or are the chances higher with it being in a circle pattern?

[ziggy123]

Hello,
I feel so lucky to have found this site. I have read every word posted and it has helped to ease some of my fears.I am 55 years old and the mother of five. My mother is a post-menopausal breast cancer survivor (over 19 years!)
After putting it off for two years for one stupid reason or another, I had my mommogram yesterday. The films show that I have a small cluster of calcifications high up on my right breast. I have had other calcifications that were followed up with six month mommo and remianed unchanged, but these were new and a different type. I was scared enough when the radiologist pointed it out to me but my panic mode has gone into overdrive since then.
A good friend of mine is one of the top breast surgeons in the area. I immediately took all of the films to his office and had the radiologist fax him my report. He just called me to say that in the report the radiologist recommended a biopsy and after looking at the films, my friend the surgeon agrees. He said that it does not look particularly worrisome, but it is best to be safe. My spot has about eight calcifications in the cluster. Is this small?
There is that part of me that says it must be something serious, becuase my friend would not take any chances with me. I am worring myself into an early grave. Please help.

[DonnaRee]

The great thing about forums is that we are all supposed to be able to express ourselves openly, without feeling like we are being judged and/or attacked for our point of view. Unfortunately some people feel they are the "gatekeepers" of opinion and need to criticize, judge and or condemn someone else. This is a shame, because it prevents people from sharing their experience or expressing themselves and then they don't use forums like this anymore. Thanks for letting me share and my very best to all of you.

[Under Forty Pam]

While we are all venting, I can understand not being able to cure cancer and all but why can't they develop test results faster.  I mean is it really too much to ask to devote a little research to easing the aniexty that waiting 3-6 days for test results creates....

[DonnaRee]

Where in that post did you interpret that I was teling women not to get a biopsy? If you read what I wrote you'd know that, i.e. " I'm not suggesting anyone forego a biopsy". I had a stereotactic myself. I'm just saying get a second opinion if you feel it's warranted, especially if the stereotactic doesn't work. FACT: 80-85% of all microcalcification biopsies are benign. I was just trying to help scared, anxiety-ridden people like myself, but in NO WAY did I say not to get a biopsy. Thanks for letting me vent...again.

[boninclyde]

OK you did not say biopsy you said, "Needless surgery"! I thank God I had my "needless surgery" or they may have found my cancer to late. I wish I had a crystal ball and so do those surgeons. I am glad they are here maybe they can save my life. And the 85% you speak of is that 85% of 100, 1000, 10000 Ect. Those surveys can all be inturpted differently.

[boninclyde]

Please don't take me wrong but let me vent. I would like to know where the 85% is. They certainly don't seem to be on this world wide forum. I would get another biopsy any day. Why wait for something terrible. Thanks for your vent.