Microcalcifications on breast - biopsy needed. Has anyone gone through this?

[Edl]

Hi!
i am writing to you because I have been overly anxious. In sept I went for a baseline mammogram , and they found microcalcifications. I had to redo a mammogram to get a closer look. They then suggested an ultrasound , which was done but nothing was seen. So now they are sending me for a biopsy. I am so nervous and haven’t been able to sleep. Has anyone gone through this? My report says « low suspicion of malignancy » .
the reason I went for a mammogram was because I was getting pain on the side of my breast under my arm.

can someone share their experiences please. Anyone? Thank you for reading.

Yes. I had exactly this just before Christmas although I was referred straight to biopsy from the initial mammogram.

The biopsy itself is done under a local and was fine. I was left with some pain and discomfort from bruising afterwards which carried on for longer than I expected (say 6 weeks). They took the affected area and some healthy tissue. They inserted a titanium marker so they knew where the area was in future. Results came through within 10 days. They had booked me an appointment at the breast care until but this was cancelled when they rang the results through as they were all fine. I was given the option of still going to the appointment though.

Hope your outcome is just as good. Waiting for the appointment for the biopsy was worse than waiting for the results as having met the team I felt confident if any treatment was needed they were all over it. Possible treatment options were discussed prior to the biopsy.

@SeasonFinale did you have a lump? I don’t have a lump so the biopsy is being done with a computer ? There is a name to it but I don’t remember.

why did you go for a mammogram?

Hello. Yes, I've had exactly the same thing. The biopsy itself isn't pleasant but OK and not too much discomfort afterwards. Mine was breast cancer, but after surgery and radiotherapy, I'm now perfectly fine. I think I was just unlucky, most aren't cancer. When's your appointment? I hope it goes well

@Blowyourowntrumpet can you explain your situation a little please ? Did you have pain prior to mammogram? Did you have a lump? I’d like to hear exactly what it was. You can send me a private message .

I didn't have any pain at all or a lump. I had no symptoms at all. I went for a mammogram because I've got a hereditary illness which puts me at high risk of developing breast cancer.

The fact that they're already saying low risk of malignancy to you sounds really positive.

Did they find microcalcifications ? Prior to biopsy did they suspect cancer?

Yes, they found microcalcifications. I don't know whether they suspected cancer before the biopsy. If they did, they didn't tell me that. It's possible though. Sorry, I know that's not helpful to you, but I honestly don't know

@Blowyourowntrumpet thank you for giving me info. I’m glad all is good. Also, do you remember your bi-rad score ? Thanks again

No lump. The calcification showed on a routine mammogram but I had annual ones from an early age due to having the BRAC1 gene (high risk of early breast cancer).

Yes they used a computer to locate the area for the biopsy and as I was awake she showed me the screen and also the slides.

One of the reasons that they went straight to biopsy rather than further mammogram was the higher risk of cancer but it ended up being benign so all was well.

However the breast unit staff was so lovely I felt very reassured that if it were early stage cancer they were going to deal with it immediately and very reassured at all times.

@SeasonFinale thank you for letting me know. Also, did you have any pain ? My mind is going crazy as I feel like I will be getting bad news. The wait is killing me .

I am afraid I can't say anything that makes the wait any easier other than post biopsy the wait didn't seem quite so bad as beforehand because I felt in good hands and that if something had been found I felt reassured that they knew how to deal with it

@Blowyourowntrumpet what was your bi-rad score on your report ?

@SeasonFinale what was your bi-rad score on your report?

Don't think I was given one.

Are you in the UK?

@SeasonFinale no I’m not . I’m from Canada . Did you ever have pain on the side of breast?

I had one just after the summer. A mammogram showed an area of micro calcification and I had to have a vacuum biopsy where you lie on a table with your boob through a hole and they come at it from underneath. They give you a lot of local anaesthetic and it is very sore afterwards. They managed to remove all the calcification with the biopsy and the mammogram afterwards showed nothing. It came back as benign and they told me before it was 70/30 as to what it would come back. I will be honest and say that I was an absolute wreck but they were clear that if it was anything it was unlikely to be more serious than a very very early cancer which would be completely treatable.

I would say looking back I did have some aches rather than pain in that breast prior to the discovery.

Hope everything is going OK?

@Xmasgrinchywinchy did you have any pain ? I fell my boob heavier and the side of my breast hurts when I press on it