Understanding Benign Breast Calcifications: What You Need to Know

Question
Hi
my mother, 57, recently had a mammogram and ultrasound because of lumpiness at twelve o'clock in left breast. The report came back and stated that there were no discernable malignities but areas of 'benign' calicification.
Despite this apparently reassuring report, my mother is disturbed by the word 'calcification', which according to her sister, who has had post-menopausal (and supposedly non-genetic) breast cancer, is 'not a good word' to find on one's report.
Basically my mother is wondering whether or not she should try to get a doctor to get her onto Tomixifen (sorry if spelling is wrong!) 'just in case.'
What do you think?  

Answer
Dear Cathy, Benign calcifications have their own unique variance on mammogram and it is this reason that radiologist can tell whether or not a calcification is benign or malignant...

Please read the following web site and iff after reading it your mother still feels uneasy about her mammogram, make her an appointment with her doctor and go with her and have him/her explain it ALL to her....  At that appointment, she or you can bring up the Tomixifen issue...

www.emedicine.com/radio/topic880.htm

thank you,   karen