I had a mammogram in July 2008 and was told by the "technician" (radiologist don't talk to you directly) that I had group calcification and to come back in six months for another mamm. I sought a second opinion from a well known local surgeon and she conferred with the radiologist that it was nothing after viewing my film.
I asked my thyroid surgeon if he did biopsies on calcification as I had heard they could be malignant, he said he did not but referred me to a well known Boston Hospital for a third opinion.
This surgeon thought it was also an innocent thing but ordered a mammogram as four months had already gone by. Off I go to the fourth opinion and the radiologist at this great hospital called me in, as is their policy and told me that the calcification was indeed benign but just a hair below it was a small lump. This was the same mammogram film from the first hospital where I had gone every year for many years for mammograms.
He ordered another mammogram and it was there, so ordered an ultra-sound and a biopsy right there. He called me the next day and told me it was malignant.
It was a stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma and estrogen receptive.
It is most important for woman to have their yearly mammograms but just as important to have a competant radiologist and hospital read your results.
Be persistant and never stop getting another opinion until you are satisfied with the answer.
Billerica, MA