Calcium deposits within the breast are often detected upon mammography and may sometimes be an early indicator of breast cancer progression. There are several factors that may contribute to the development of calcium deposits including age, underlying disease, and genetic background. It is not clear, however, if certain components in the diet such as caffeine may contribute to calcium deposit formation.
Breast Calcifications
Calcium deposits within breast tissue, known as microcalcifications, are small mineral deposits scattered throughout the tissue that have high levels of calcium. These spots are routinely detected on mammograms and must be investigated thoroughly by a radiologist to determine if the spots are of concern. To ensure that the spots do not later develop into cancerous tissue, it is crucial to undergo regular screening so that any changes can be detected at follow-up appointments. Some believe that eliminating caffeine from the diet may reduce the occurrence of these deposits and the risk associated with their progression into cancerous tissue.
Causes of Calcifications
The majority of breast calcifications are benign and may be due to a number of known causes. Most calcium deposits are detected in older women, which may be due to increased screening of breast tissue by mammography in older populations. In addition, women with mutations in the genes BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 show an increased incidence of breast calcifications compared to normal patients, according to the journal "Clinical Radiology." The effect of outside factors on calcium deposit progression are still unknown and require further investigation.
Effects of Caffeine
Even though caffeine does not directly impact the formation of calcium deposits it should still be consumed in moderation because of its effects on the cardiovascular system, which could interfere with the treatment of breast cancer according to the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology." Overuse could also result in nervousness, fatigue, irritability and anxiety.
Impact of Calcifications
The journal "Modern Pathology" reports that certain types of calcifications may be signs of lesions within the breast tissue. On occasion, biopsies of the breast tissue containing these calcifications may be necessary to rule out the presence of malignancies. According to the journal "Breast," clustered areas of microcalcifications detected upon ultrasound may be indicative of development of malignant tissue. Even though there is no direct correlation between caffeine and calcium deposit formation, it should be consumed in moderation because of its known effects on general health.
References
- "Clinical Radiology"; Breast Imaging Findings In Women with BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast carcinoma; LJ Hamilton et al; October 2004
- "Journal of the American College of Cardiology"; Long-term Cardiovascular Mortality after Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer; K Bouillon et al; January 2011
- "Modern Pathology"; Digital Mammography: More Microcalcifications, More Columnar Cell Lesions without Atypia; AH Verschuur-Maes at al; May 2011
- "Breast"; Clustered Microcalcifications of Intermediate Concern Detected on Digital Mammography: Ultrasound Assessment; PC Yu et al; June 2011
