Information About Breast Calcifications

What are breast calcifications?

Breast calcifications are small deposits of calcium that form in the breast tissue. They show up as white spots on a mammogram and are a common finding. Most women who have them will never know unless they have breast screening.

Finding out you have breast calcifications can feel worrying, but they are often harmless. They are not caused by eating too much calcium or by taking calcium supplements.

There are two main types of breast calcification, and the distinction matters because they behave quite differently.

• Macrocalcifications are larger, coarser deposits. They are almost always benign and tend to develop as a normal part of ageing. They are particularly common in women over 50.
• Microcalcifications are much smaller specks of calcium. On their own, they are usually harmless. However, when they appear in certain patterns or clusters, they can sometimes indicate changes in the breast tissue that need further investigation.

Your mammogram report should describe which type has been found and whether any follow up is needed, though the level of detail can vary between providers.

What causes them?

Breast calcifications can develop for many reasons, and most of these are entirely ordinary. Common causes include the natural ageing process, old injuries to the breast, previous surgery, or past infections. Calcium can also build up in cysts, in the walls of blood vessels, or within the milk ducts.

Skin conditions such as dermatitis can occasionally cause calcifications to form near the surface of the breast. Radiotherapy treatment may also lead to calcifications in the treated area. Emerging research suggests that genetic factors might also play a role in some cases.

In a small number of cases, certain patterns of microcalcifications can be associated with ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a pre cancerous condition, or with early breast cancer. This is why radiologists look carefully at the shape, size and distribution of any calcifications they find.

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How are breast calcifications found and assessed?

Calcifications are usually discovered during routine breast screening. The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites women aged 50 to 71 for a mammogram every three years. Women over 71 can still request screening every three years and are encouraged to make appointments if they have concerns. Calcifications typically do not cause symptoms and usually cannot be felt during a physical examination, though associated abnormalities may occasionally be palpable.

If calcifications are spotted on your mammogram, the radiologist will assess their appearance. Macrocalcifications that look clearly benign will usually need no further action at all.

What happens if you're recalled?

If the calcifications are less straightforward to interpret, you may be called back for additional tests. This might include further mammogram images taken from different angles, an ultrasound scan, or in some cases a biopsy. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of breast tissue so it can be examined under a microscope.

Being recalled does not mean something is wrong. Many women are called back simply because the images need a closer look, and most of these cases turn out to be benign.

What happens next?

For benign calcifications, no treatment is needed. You will simply continue with your usual screening appointments. Your GP or the breast clinic will let you know if anything changes in future mammograms.

If a biopsy shows pre cancerous changes or early cancer, you will be referred to a specialist multidisciplinary breast team who will explain your options and recommend a treatment plan. Early detection through screening often means that treatment can be simpler and more effective.

If you have questions about breast calcifications or your mammogram results, speak to your GP or contact the breast clinic where you had your screening. You can also find reliable information from Breast Cancer Now or through the NHS website.