topic Re: Breast Calcifications in Wellness

Breast Calcifications

Squirt60 — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 19:03:09 GMT

Has anyone been diagnosed with Breast Calcifications? I have been going for a mammogram every 6 months for the last 2 years. July was my last 6 month appointment and I was told the calcifications are increasing so they want me to have a biopsy which is scheduled for tomorrow.

Has anyone had this issue?

Thank you for any info you can provide.

Re: Breast Calcifications

KittySoftPaws — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 19:37:13 GMT

What we expect to hear from mainstream medicine: “Despite the minimal risks and ongoing studies about cancer seeding during biopsy, collecting tissue samples has been one of the most useful tools in battling cancer. These samples give medical teams a lot of information that helps tailor treatments to give patients the best chance of recovery. “You glean from a biopsy the type of tumor it is, whether it is malignant or benign, and how aggressive it is,” said Dr. Jonathan Epstein, Professor of Pathology, Urology and Oncology and Director of Surgical Pathology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “You can also do special studies sometimes for certain markers, which can help determine therapy and which types of tumors would respond to different types of therapy.”

Given how many people die from cancer each year it seems that oncologists are exaggerating both the usefulness and safety of biopsies and just about everything else they do. Dr. Vincent Gammill, Center for the Study of Natural Oncology in Solana Beach, California, presented a case of a woman who had successfully treated her breast cancer naturally since 1994. Last year, her conventional oncologist convinced her that she was a fool to refuse a needle biopsy. She now has new tumors at each of the puncture sites. “I rarely see distant metastasis until after a biopsy – and then it grows rapidly everywhere, especially in the bones,” Gammill said.

In 2011, researchers for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine reported that transperitoneal biopsy of cancer of the bile duct is associated with a higher rate of peritoneal metastasis and they recommend the procedure not be performed if a curative method exists.

Most hospitals and oncologists require biopsies. One small private clinic in Baja, Mexico, like most alternative centers that treat cancer do not. “Many patients come to us because they don’t want to have a biopsy. Especially breast and prostate patients. We respect their wishes, and offer tumor marker testing, color Doppler sonograms, ultrasounds and whole body thermography instead,” says Dr. Antonio Jimenez of Hope4Cancer Institute.

Dr. Thomas Seyfried warns against doing biopsies because of its dangers. The problem is that when you stab into the cancer microenvironment to remove a part of the tissue, it creates a wound in that microenvironment that in turn elicits the invasion by macrophages and other immune cells.

If you already have an acidic microenvironment, you run the risk of causing a fusion hybridization event in that microenvironment between your macrophages and cancer stem cells. This could turn a potentially benign situation into a malignant one, and if the tumor is malignant, stabbing into it could make a bad situation worse.

The question is, what is the value of doing a biopsy in the first place? We take biopsies of breast tissue to get a genomic readout of the different kinds of mutations that might be in the cells. Now, if cancer is not a genetic disease and the mutations are largely irrelevant, then it makes no sense to do that in the first place. If the tumor is benign, why would you want to stab it? If the tumor is malignant, why would you ever want to stab it? I came to this view by reading so many articles in the literature based on brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer showing how needle biopsies have led to the dissemination of these tumor cells, putting these people at risk for metastatic cancer and death, Seyfried says.

“In metabolic therapy, you would not touch the tumor; you would not disturb the microenvironment. By leaving it alone, you allow the tumor to shrink and go away. When you start to look at this as a biological problem, many of the things that we do in cancer make no sense. We have, in brain cancer, people say, ‘You have a very low-grade tumor. Let’s go in and get it out.’ What happens is you go in and get it out, and then the following year it turns into a glioblastoma.How did that happen? Well, you disturbed the microenvironment. You allowed these cells that are marginally aggressive to become highly aggressive. Then you lead to the demise of the patient, Seyfried says.

Re: Breast Calcifications

Bookplate — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 19:58:29 GMT

Breast calcifications are pretty common. I have had them since my 20's. Did you also have an ultrasound? My understanding is that ultrasounds are more useful than mammo's for these. I get ultrasounds once a year with my mammo. There have been periods of time when I also was checked every 6 months, and have had a few biopsies, both needle and surgical.

Re: Breast Calcifications

hannahbanana2 — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:00:01 GMT

Hi, I had a biopsy two years ago. They took 11 samples and they were all calcifications. It wasn't painful but was scary. So Sorry you have to go through it.

Hannah

0Re: Breast Calcifications

SactoSue — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:09:30 GMT

Breast calcifications are pretty common on mammography and can be the results of all kinds of processes from infections, trauma, benign masses, pre-malignant disorders, maligancies and even calcified blood vessels.

The radiologist would be classifying them by mammographic criteria from BIRADS 1 to BIRADS 5. Those that fall into BIRADS 4 and 5 should be biopsied. Most likely you have some BIRADS 4 calcifictions that need examination by biopsy and microscopic exmaination by a pathologist. The malignancy rate for BIRADS 4 is generally less than 30%, so this classification is meant to be very conservative and give reassurance to benign processes.

I've had this stereotactic core biopsy procedure and it is only a bit awkward, and not painful. The radiologist does a mammogram with you in a position where it is easiest to get to the abnormal area. This could be you lying on a table with the breast hanging down a bit through a section of the table, or sitting up. Then there is a small injection of anesthetic in the skin. Then the radiologist makes a tiny nick in the skin and introduces the biopsy needle into the abnormal area based on the measurements from the mammogram taken just before. The biopsy needle also introduces a tiny marker into the area so this area can be identified mammographically after the procedure. The marker is about the size of a large poppyseed and is made of titanium with a distinctive appearance on mmammogram. I felt a little "pinprick" or even a little bit of a tug, but no pain. You get a bandaid and go home. The process takes less than an hour and the radiologist and assistant are very experienced and do a lot to make you comfortable.

The report goes to the radiologist and they should call you in about a week.

I feel mammographic screening has improved a great deal since the old days, and I know the breast imaging and core biopsy process is far better than it was a decade ago, with dedicated breast imaging centers and specialized qualifications and certifications for breast radiologists.

Re: Breast Calcifications

shoekitty — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:58:16 GMT

@Squirt60 I would get biopsy. In 2001 I had a calcification .. left it. In 2002 after mammo, the calcification was erose. Meaning the edges were irregular. Had biopsy, it was Ductal carcinoma institute. ((DCIS). It took 3 surgeries to get clean edges, then radiation. Some calcification are round and they can tell it's normal. The longer one keeps the calcifications the wider the chances of it turning to cancer. IMO, I would get biopsy. Better than continually subjecting yourself to radiation from repeated mammos,and the worry. I have 3 friends who wound up with breast cancer same time I did. What are the odds of that? We all had different kinds, and different treatments. But,we all had one thing in common. We waited too long....because they said it was ok to wait. Who knows? it's a crop shoot. I didn't do chemo, just radiation , thank God. But both my friends had chemo. One kept going back to doc with this lump. Surgeon couldnt find it on mammo. My friend was 40, had extremely dense breasts. Long story short, she researched, went by her gut ...changed dr, got a good surgeon to look at another mammo. It was a huge cancerous tumor that hadn't been detected, but could be felt at certain angles. It was a difficult find. A good surgeon ( one who has many breast surgeries under his belt) can decide. She had surgery... and long time chemo, and radiation. Thank God, she is here today celebrating retirement and her 64 birthday, I have one bit of advice. If you are uneasy, unsure, go to another good, well known surgeon to look at mammos. Good luck.

Re: Breast Calcifications

Shelbelle — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:53:19 GMT

My friend was told long time ago that ones that are scattered throughout the breast are of less concern then if they appeear in one area in a cluster. Hers are scattered and have never been biopsed. Best of luck.

Re: Breast Calcifications

judy0330 — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:26:09 GMT

@shoekitty I could not agree more. Like you -- I had calcifications on my mammogram -- had an ultrasound -- biopsy -- and turned out to be DCIS. Lumpectomy -- radiation (which I found very easy) -- Tamoxifen for 5 years -- done. This happened in 2011. I cannot imagine not having a biopsy -- especially given that DCIS can become invasive. My gynecologist called me "the poster child for mammograms." Found and treated very early.

Re: Breast Calcifications

Shelbelle — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 23:26:50 GMT

For the last 3 years i have been paying $40 out of pocket for an AI reading of mamm, still get the normal reading from a rad, but this is an extra set of eyes so to speak.

Re: Breast Calcifications

Shelbelle — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:38:02 GMT

@judy0330 wrote:
@shoekitty I could not agree more. Like you -- I had calcifications on my mammogram -- had an ultrasound -- biopsy -- and turned out to be DCIS. Lumpectomy -- radiation (which I found very easy) -- Tamoxifen for 5 years -- done. This happened in 2011. I cannot imagine not having a biopsy -- especially given that DCIS can become invasive. My gynecologist called me "the poster child for mammograms." Found and treated very early.

I have a friend who just went thru very similar sitution, she also found it to be very easy , only had to go for rad 5 times. Also taking a med for 5 years.

Re: Breast Calcifications

shoekitty — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:47:46 GMT

@judy0330 so true! Taking chances, without a lot of research, statistics and outcomes isn't healthy sometimes. I had my lumpectomy and radiation in 2003. Get mammos around every birthday. All clear. I too found radiation not as bad as I thought. Better than the alternative, huh? The worst part was getting up and down to radiation appt everyday at 8AM, 7 or 8 weeks. . I decided against TAMOXIFEN for me. I was past menopause. I did lots of research, talked with some oncologists and decided I'd pass because of side effects from other issues I had, doctors didn't like it, but went with my decision I took 2T ground fresh organic Flax seed everyday. Changed diet and exercise. It worked for me.

I cant convince women more to be their own advocate! Research Mayo Clinic and other notable sites for info. Challenge your Doctors if you feel something is wrong. Or get second...third opinion if necessary. Doctors do what they can. Some are more experienced and proactive than others. Doctors today are bogged down with all kinds of paper work, codes and facing the insurMCE industry, who looks at the monetary bottom line. They don't know you. I don't mean for women to ne a fanatic, just read, research and question with authentic facts. Don't be taken in by get cancer free schemes ( I have seen that as well.) just be your own advocate, and go with your gut. We are the only ones that knows ourselves best. We are just so darn lucky to have the mammograms, onocologists and surgeons we have today. We do things today that weren't possible 30 or more years ago

Re: Breast Calcifications

shoekitty — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:51:01 GMT

@Shelbelle @judy0330 you know when I was diagnosed with breast cancer Ultra sounds were just starting to be used for breasts, and mammos. You havpd to go to Stanford though, and insurance was a bear to ok!!! Now a days Ultra sounds save lives, especially women with very dense breast tissue.

Re: Breast Calcifications

Squirt60 — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:53:44 GMT

Thank you all for your responses. I really appreciate taking the time to answer me.
Not looking forward to the biopsy tomorrow but I know it's something important I have to take care of.

Re: Breast Calcifications

jlkz — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 23:28:23 GMT

Over 30 years ago, the Mammo showed " something " in one area ( memory not helpful here ! ). Could be calcium deposit so I decided I wanted it out rather than obsess over it all the time. It was calcium.

When I woke from the brief surgical procedure, I got dressed and went home. Haven't missed a Mammo and still get an annual one at the same place. Am 81....

Re: Breast Calcifications

cindyNC — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:55:06 GMT

I would get the biopsy done also. There was a spot on my mammogram two years ago. The radiologist recommended a biopsy, the one who came in to do it said it probably wasn't anything and didn't want to do it.

She referred me for a stereotactic biopsy....."A stereotactic (often called stereotypic) breast biopsy is a safe, X-ray-guided procedure used to take tiny tissue samples from abnormal calcium spots or small lumps found on a mammogram. It helps doctors find out if a spot is cancer or a harmless change without needing open surgery. "

The xray tech and doctor did the biopsy, then the doctor came running back into the room to say they biopsied the wrong site and had to do it over again. Turned out it was cancerous, very tiny, had surgery, radiation and on estrogtion supporession therapy for 5 years now.

Re: Breast Calcifications

wagirl — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:02:19 GMT

Oh yes--I went thru all that years ago too. Was going back every 6 months for mammos. Got the works done--- ultrasounds, MRI ones and biopsies too. But then I was dx with breast cancer and went thru all that too. Am just fine now and my cancer was due to the hormones I took for menopause a few years before--this was in 2012 and not due to the calcifications at all. Had top knotch breast cancer people perform the biopsies---was not painful. was easy and quick. Was sore afterwards but during the process I felt nothing. My DD goes for mammos and MRI's every 6 months now too.

Re: Breast Calcifications

beckyb1012 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:56:22 GMT

Back in 2005, I was in my early '40's and a mamo showed clarcification's. So they had me do another mamo with same results. Then just a couple of weeks later had a sonar scan which confirmed they were claciification's and nothing to be concerned about. As not come up since and definitely no biopsy.

Re: Breast Calcifications

shoesnbags — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:15:19 GMT

I've had calcifications since my first mammogram at 40. But when I was 51 my annual mammogram showed a cluster of calcifications that usually indicates cancer. I had a stereotactic needle biopsy. They removed 5 calcifications and each one of them was cancerous - DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was treated and all has been well since, thank God and my wonderful doctors.

All of the rest of my calcifications are scattered but I would never hesitate to have another biopsy in the future if there's any question about any of the others.

Re: Breast Calcifications

elizapt — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:30:23 GMT

In January of 2020, I had to go back for a repeat mammo because they found an asymmetry. The second mammo found the same asymmetry but two different ultrasounds that day could not find anything. The doctor said that since he could not find anything with the US, he felt compelled to recommend a biopsy. I asked what I would do if not a biopsy. He said I would have to come in for a mammo every 6 months. I did not want to do that so I had a biopsy. Yup, IDC, stage 1A. We all know what happened in March of 2020....I started radiation right after the world shut down and I am so glad I had that biopsy because otherwise further mammos and any treatment would have been delayed for quite a while and who knows what kind of battle I would have had on my hands then....early detection is crucial and I am just fine. Good luck. Concrete anwers are good.

Re: Breast Calcifications

Estates — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:29:08 GMT

@shoekitty I,too,rejected taking tamoxifen. TOO many side effects. I have a history of heart disease in my family so I didn't need to take anything that creates blood clots.

I opted to take DIM supplements and have continued since 2012.I put flax seed on my yogurt each day. I wasn't aware of its value as a replacement.