When Breast Calcifications Change?

Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue.

Do breast calcifications change over time?

Microcalcifications: These are smaller white spots on a mammogram. While these can be randomly scattered as well, they are sometimes grouped together and can be a sign of cancer. If your mammogram finds microcalcifications, your doctor will note any change in their appearance over time and probably order more tests.

Do breast calcifications increase with age?

Macrocalcifications: These are larger (greater than 0.5 mm), typically well-defined calcifications that often appear as lines or dots on a mammogram. In almost every case, they are noncancerous and no further testing is needed. They become more common as women get older, especially after age 50.