Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Breast calcifications are a buildup of calcium salts within breast tissue. They are common on mammograms. They appear as white spots or flecks on a mammogram.

Breast calcifications most often are not cancer, called benign. More commonly calcifications are associated with a benign breast condition known as fibrocystic breast changes. But certain patterns of calcifications, such as tight clusters with irregular shapes, may be a sign of breast cancer. Or they may be changes to breast tissue that happen before cancer starts, called precancerous.

On a mammogram, breast calcifications can appear as macrocalcifications or microcalcifications.

  • Macrocalcifications. These show up as large white dots or dashes. They're most often not cancer. They need no further testing or follow-up.
  • Microcalcifications. These show up as fine, white specks, like grains of salt. Certain patterns can be an early sign of cancer.

If you have a mammogram in which breast calcifications might be cancer, you need another mammogram. This one will show closer views to get a better look at the calcifications. If the second mammogram still might be cancer, your healthcare professional may suggest a breast biopsy to be sure.

If the calcifications don't seem to be cancer, your healthcare professional may suggest going back to your yearly screening. Or you might return in six months for a follow-up to make sure the calcifications aren't changing.

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Feb. 15, 2025