Understanding Benign Breast Calcifications: What You Need to Know

Question
Hi
my mother, 57, recently had mammogram and ultrasound. She had lumpiness at 12 o'clock on left breast. Report came back saying there were no discernable malignancies but areas of 'benign calcification'. Mother is worried by the word 'calcification', though. Her sister had post-menopausal (and supposedly non-genetic) breast cancer and tells her that 'calcification' is 'not a good word' to get on one's breast test report.
Basically mother is wondering if she should ask for Tomixifen therapy (sorry if spelling is wrong) 'just in case.'
What do you think?  

Answer
Tamoxifene therapy - or another similar drug - is a definite possibility that she should discuss with her dr. since she has this genetic background! Yes microcalcifications are ONE of several signs you look for in cancer suspect lesions in a mammogram. But there are also benign calcifications. If she feels uncertain she can always ask for a second opinion with regards to her mammogram. Sorry to have to tell you but with this genetic background also you may be at risk.