Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Sometimes calcifications mean breast cancer. But most calcifications result from conditions that aren't cancer, called benign.

Possible causes of breast calcifications include:

  1. Breast cancer
  2. Breast cysts
  3. Cell secretions or debris.
  4. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
  5. Fibroadenoma
  6. Fibrocystic breast changes, also called milk of calcium.
  7. Mammary duct ectasia
  8. Injury or surgery to the breast, called fat necrosis.
  9. Radiation therapy for cancer.
  10. Skin calcification, called dermal calcification, or blood vessel calcification, called vascular calcification.

Products such as deodorants, creams or powders may have materials that look like calcifications on a mammogram. These materials make it harder to tell whether the calcifications are due to cancer or not. Because of this, don't use any products on your skin before a mammogram.

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Feb. 15, 2025