Fear after needing a biopsy

Well yes I had that experience and it was cancer, I had treatment, and am ten years out. These days thanks to new testing many of us do not have chemo.

Then again, the downside of so much monitoring for breast cancer is false alarms. Did they give you a RADS score?

Waiting is the hardest part. I asked for some Klonopin but didn't use it: it helped that it was there!

I just went through this. I got called back after a routine mammogram for further imaging, and then was told I needed a biopsy. The waiting was the worst part. In my case, it turned out that I do have cancer. My sister had the very same experience last year, and she did not have cancer.

I know you must be terrified right now, because I was there a few weeks ago. My advice is to take it one step at a time. Have the biopsy, see what the results are, and try not to get ahead of yourself. Hugs to you.

Hi
1yr ago this week I had my routine mammo got a call then extra day had an ultrasound and 4 needle biopsies. It was cancer early stage. Had lumpectomy Dec 21 2nd surgery feb 13 sentinal nodes. Did radiation in March. Just had follow up mammo all clear. It's a step at a time. Hugs

I had a mammogram, a guided biopsy and ultrasound. Cancer. Trip to city of Hope due to caner and then an MRI and CT to make sure all else was clear. It was!!! 2.5 years from treatment.

I like to say it is often caught early. My big, busted friend thought mine would be nothing. She has fatty things that often look suspicious. My journey took turns, so know your fear is real, but the support you will get will be helpful. Your medical team and all of us that have walked through it.

"Cancer" is still a scary word but so many advances have been made. My oncology surgeon told me last month that recurrence rates are way down.

I had a routine mammo in April. Suspicious calcifications. B-Rads 4. Had diagnostic mammo and US which confirmed suspicious area. Had a stereotactic biopsy (no pain, just a quick sting from lidocaine). ice pack the rest of day and back to normal. Pathology came back as Stage 0 Grade 3 DCIS HR+. I eventually had an MRI and US guided biopsy. Again, easy and pain free.
I ended up choosing double mastectomy to aesthetic flat closure. Sentinel nodes were also removed. I am now 8 weeks post op and doing very well.
What does you mammo results say?

It's scarey - no question. But much better to know than to ignore it and have it turn out to be a bigger problem. Early detection and action is the key. Mine was caught early.......as a result, no chemo necessary (just radiation). When I was in the thick of diagnosis and treatment (as you are), I tried to look at every test as the search for clues to a mystery. The more info you can piece together, the better the outcome. And the sooner you can fight back. There's so much they can do to get cancer under control......try to be brave and know that good timing is the best weapon in the battle. You are not alone........and you can do this! Hang in there.

I’m 61 and went through that 1-23. It was scary but like someone said, take one step at a time. Took a Xanax prior, lidocaine made me almost pass out- doctor did biopsy quickly- I bruised badly. Mine was cancer. I hope yours isn’t. My husband jump on it and found me the best place to go. Appointments were made and treatments explained well. Ask questions, journal/ keep track of things. There are SO many words and terms I had never heard of…but now I can help be an educator.

My treatments: surgery and radiation(15 days) went well. I am currently taking an AI drug because my cancer was hormone positive.

I’m a private person and didn’t share with everyone.

Best to you.

Hi @hannah1, Please try to remember that most biopsies result in a non-cancerous result. This is a breast cancer group, so the responses that you get will be from people who had cancerous biopsies. At this point, your doctors want more info, another piece to the puzzle.
There are different types of needle biopsy procedures. Do you know which type you'll be having? Has it been scheduled yet?

Here's a link to a Mayo article, stating that "Nearly 75% of breast biopsies show noncancerous results." https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/women-health/breast-biopsies-what-to-expect/

More info on the procedure: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-biopsy/about/pac-20384812

Hi Hannah1
As you move along in your journey!
Please know we are your team !
We will pray for you, talk with you , stay close to you, we are one with you!
Whenever you are in the journey keep posting !! We will respond!!
You are never alone!!
Thinking of you!! Lifting you up!
Maura H