Breast calcifications are calcium deposits that appear as white dots on amammogram.
The vast majority of these will be non-cancerous.
Macrocalcifications
Macrocalcifications are large bits of calcium deposits found on a mammogram.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
They may be due to other changes in a woman’s breast, like hardening of her breast arteries.
Macrocalcifications may also represent areas of inflammation from an old injury or breast trauma.
There is usually no need to worry about breast cancer with these larger breast calcifications.
They are not usually linked to breast cancer and are more common in women 50 and older.
Calcifications arranged in a tight cluster also raise concerns about cancer.
For example, scar tissue related to old breast injuries (dystrophic changes) can occur.
Most changes are benign and very common.
However, certain changes are associated with a clearly increased risk of breast cancer.
DCIS is often suspected when microcalcifications appear on a mammogram.
That’s why you’re advised not to put on deodorant before a mammogram.
How Breast Calcifications Are Diagnosed
Breast microcalcifications most often appear on routine screening mammograms.
If the findings from the imaging suggest breast cancer, a biopsy is recommended.
The most common procedure after calcifications are found is astereotactic breast core biopsy.
Is a Biopsy Always Needed?
Keep in mind that it’s important to get recommended follow-up exams and tests to protect your health.
Treatment of Breast Calcifications
Benign breast calcifications do not need treatment.
Experts are learning that breast calcifications also may provide information about the prognosis of breast cancer.
The odds of a breast calcification being cancerous are not high.
Macrocalcifications, for example, don’t usually point to cancer.
Summary
Breast calcifications are a very common finding during routine mammogram screenings.
However, most calcifications are benign and don’t lead to cancer.
The additional clarity may lead to a biopsy to definitively determine if cancer cells are present.
Calcifications don’t require treatment unless breast cancer is detected.
Your healthcare provider will explain any next steps in your care.
They may instead mention a “small abnormality.”
Ideally, you should ask for your report so that you could review it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily.
Calcifications themselves are a normal part of cell turnover and the aging process in the breast.
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