Breast calcifications are calcium deposits in just breast tissue. They look as white spots or flecks on a mammogram.

Breast calcifications are frequent on mammograms, and they’re primarily commonplace just after age 50. Whilst breast calcifications are ordinarily noncancerous (benign), specified styles of calcifications — such as limited clusters with irregular designs and wonderful overall look — may well point out breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue.

On a mammogram, breast calcifications can seem as macrocalcifications or microcalcifications.

  • Macrocalcifications. These present up as big white dots or dashes. They are virtually always noncancerous and demand no even more testing or adhere to-up.
  • Microcalcifications. These show up as high-quality, white specks, related to grains of salt. They are ordinarily noncancerous, but selected styles can be an early sign of most cancers.

If breast calcifications show up suspicious on your preliminary mammogram, you will be termed back again for more magnification views to get a nearer glimpse at the calcifications. If the 2nd mammogram is nonetheless worrisome for cancer, your doctor may well endorse a breast biopsy to know for guaranteed. If the calcifications look noncancerous, your doctor may possibly advocate returning to your regular annually screening or have you return in 6 months for a brief-phrase abide by-up to make guaranteed the calcifications are not altering.