I had an interesting conversation with a client last week regarding breast calcifications, which are typically noticed on mammograms. She was informed that she had calcifications, but she was left wondering what calcifications actually are.
After doing some research, she learned that breast calcifications are often a sign of underlying congestion or are due to a build up of cells that eventually calcify over time.
This conversation reminded me of many conversations I have had over the years with my female clients about the difference between early detection versus prevention. By the time something like calcifications show up in the breast tissue, there have been underlying factors affecting the health of your breasts for many years.
According to Breastcancer.org, “Calcifications are a ‘marker’ for some underlying process that is occurring in the breast tissue,” which begs the question, what are those underlying processes?
According to this website, these processes can include:
- Past injuries to or infections in the breast
- Benign growths in the breast, such as fibroadenomas, a common type of benign breast tumor
- Breast cysts (fluid-filled sacs)
- Past radiation therapy to the breast
- Calcium buildup in the blood vessels inside the breast (this is the same process that causes calcium to build up in blood vessels throughout the body, a condition called atherosclerosis; often the person will already have cardiovascular risk factors)
What many women may not be aware of is that there are many things they can do PROACTIVELY to help address some of these underlying processes so that they ideally don’t get worse, and in many cases actually get better!
I have been working with women and breast health for over 20 years, and one of the tools to help understand breast tissue better is to use Breast Thermography as one method to assess the health of breasts, which can be used in conjunction with information from mammograms and ultrasounds.
We have been offering these clinics for close to 20 years here in Saskatoon. If you’d like more information, please visit this website or book a time to discuss your individual breast health needs. You have the ability to take charge of your breast health rather than just worrying about the chance of developing breast cancer.
– Dr. Jacqui Fleury, ND
Resources
Breastcancer.org
Thermacan.ca
