When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

If a radiologist suspects that your breast calcifications are a result of precancerous changes or breast cancer, you may need another mammogram. The second mammogram has blown-up views to get a closer look at the calcifications, known as magnification views. Or the radiologist may suggest a breast biopsy to test a sample of breast tissue.

The radiologist may ask you for images from mammograms you had in the past. The radiologist compares the new images to the old images to see if calcifications are new or have changed in number or pattern.

If breast calcifications seem to be caused by a benign condition, the radiologist may suggest a six-month follow-up for another mammogram with closer views. The radiologist checks the images for changes in the shape, size and number of calcifications.

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Feb. 15, 2025