“The mammogram shows some calcifications in your breast.”
“What! Are calcifications a sign of breast cancer? Are they related to calcium supplements?”
Mammography uses X-rays to capture images, with denser structures appearing whiter on the image.
Breast calcifications are usually deposits of calcium in various tissues and are unrelated to diet.
There are several common types of breast calcifications:
Some are thin and elongated, formed by blood vessels.
Some are more rounded and regular in shape.
Some resemble popcorn and are related to fibroadenomas.
Most of these types of calcifications are benign changes.
However, if there are tightly clustered, tiny, and irregular calcifications, it warrants attention.
The doctor may suggest magnified imaging for microcalcifications or further biopsy to determine if they are “ductal carcinoma in situ” (DCIS) or “invasive ductal carcinoma.”
Mammography and breast ultrasound can detect different lesions, and it’s best to use them together.
Early breast cancer is often undetectable by touch, so regular check-ups are crucial!
