calcification

(kal-sif-ik-AY-shun)

Calcium that builds up in the tissues of the breast. It looks like grains of salt and can be seen on a mammogram. It cannot be found by touch.

My postcard from Kaiser said they found "an area we believe is benign. We recommend getting checked in 12 months for a follow up."

I am now just a bit worried. Its treated so casually.

Calcifications
Calcifications are tiny flecks of calcium—like grains of salt—in the soft tissue of the breast that can sometimes indicate the presence of an early breast cancer. Calcifications usually can't be felt, but they appear on a mammogram. Depending on how they're clustered and their shape, size, and number, your doctor may want to do further tests. Big calcifications— "macrocalcifications"—are usually not associated with cancer. Groups of small calcifications huddled together, called "clusters of microcalcifications," are associated with extra breast cell activity. Most of the time this is non-cancerous extra cell growth, but sometimes clusters of microcalcifications can occur in areas of early cancer.

Its not likely to be cancer but still, it is stuck in my head. I know its a waste of worry but there it is. I am now having a million anxiety dreams, none having to do with cancer. Most having to do with bad things happening to small children who I can't protect from life. Most of the scenarios are unbelievably unrealistic. Still I get very anxious.

More anxious than being on the Glass Bottom boat.