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BREAST CALCIFICATIONS

They refers to small calcium deposits that develops in a woman's breast tissue. They are usually common and noncancerous (benign), though not all.

Breast calcifications are of two types

• Macrocalcification and

• Microcalcification

Macrocalcification

They appear like large white dots on a breast X-ray scattered within the breast. They are common and found mostly in approximately half of women over the age of 50 and 1/10 of women under the age of 50. They are also considered as noncancerous.

Microcalcification

These are small calcium deposits looking like white specks on a breast X-ray. Microcalcification do not occur as a result of cancer. But there appearance in certain patterns and clustering together may be a sign of precancerous cells or early breast cancer.

HOW TO IDENTIFY BREAST CALCIFICATIONS

Breast calcifications are usually asymptomatic (that is, they do not cause symptoms) as they are too small to be noticed or felt during routine breast examination. It is usually noticed on a mammogram (breast X-ray).

CAUSES OF BREAST CALCIFICATIONS

So many factors are responsible for breast calcifications in women. Which includes normal aging, inflammation, and previous or past trauma around the breast region. Calcium in a diet is not really a contributive factor.

TREATMENT

Benign calcifications are not cancerous but may pose 2% risk.

Close monitoring should be done every six months for at least one year. If there's any changes, a mammogram should be carried out. Any further complication may require a biopsy (whereby a small amount of breast tissue containing the calcification is removed and taken to the laboratory for examination of cancer cells.

If cancer is confirmed, then treatment may include surgery, to remove the cancerous breast. Radiation, chemotherapy may be used to kill the cancer cells.

What is the meaning of breast calcification?