Questions about breast biopsy and the diagnostic process and timing

@denise66 — I understand your anxiety, as I’m in the latter part of my journey. Here is the sequence of events for me in a smallish town fortunate to have a cancer center as part of our regional hospital:

1/26 Routine mammogram (called back for a closer look; cancer was not mentioned as this is fairly common)
2/13 Second mammogram with ultrasound; suspicious mass found
2/23 Biopsy
2/27 Biopsy results (very small DCIS)
4/4 Lumpectomy

Protocol here is surgery within five weeks of positive biopsy results. I can honestly say that despite this diagnosis, the process has been positive so far. As frightening as a “call back” can be, you do not necessarily have cancer; 80% are not. A friend went through the same thing at the same time due to a suspicious mass and hers was a papilloma. Benign but she chose a lumpectomy in preference to 2x yearly mammograms.

Please do not beat yourself up over skipping a couple years. You are not alone! I was told that my type of lesion was slow growing and years in the making. My mammogram last year was clear. Praying you will be one of the 80%! Best wishes to you.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your story with me.

I so glad they caught very it early. Happy you are doing great!

Thank you for also sharing your ftiend’s story. That gives me much hope.

Denise

I still have good days and bad days. This was 18 years ago and things have changed a lot in the breast cancer landscape in that time.
You cannot beat yourself up over not getting screened for two years. It isn’t like any of us actually expect to get breast cancer. It is one of those things that isn’t real until it is. All you can do is move forward and be kind to yourself about it.
I am crossing my fingers and my toes that this turns out to be nothing and you get screened moving forward.
Will you please come back and let me know how this goes for you?

Chris,

I had endometrial cx almost 5 years ago. I totally understand the good and bad days.

Thank you so very much for the words of encouragement. It means a lot to me.

Definitely, I will let you know.

Denise

I had a biopsy on both breasts. They said it wasn’t cancer but didn’t say what it was or what I should do? One is painful

Hi Tracy,

Thank you for sharing this. I’m sorry you had to deal with the stress and anxiety of this. I’m thrilled everything turned out great!

How long ago was your biopsies? How long did you have to wait for your results?

May I ask what they saw on the mammogram and/or ultrasound that lead to the biopsies?

Denise

Sorry Tracy, I did not see that you asked what you should do.

I would recommended you obtain the pathology report. See what was found. Then, based on it and consulting with your doctor see if you need to change your screening frequency.

If you don’t already see a breast surgeon, you should consider having a consult with one. Bring your imaging and path report. A breast surgeon can direct you the best on your findings.

Do you have a local breast center near by with breast surgeons?

Denise

Hi Denise thanks for responding! My biopsy was two weeks ago and I got my results that Friday. I don’t have a breast doctor- the lumps started with a lesion and grew really fast! In a little over a month I was having a lot of pain enough to keep me awake at night! I never had breast pain associated with my menstral cycle-I’m 53 and haven’t had a period in 5 years. I am going to get my pathology report from the hospital! Thanks so much let’s keep in touch!

Hi Tracy,

Of course.

The bumps started with a lesion on the skin? Did you have any bruising or take blood thinners? Your doctor should have shared the specifics with you.

I’m very happy that you are 100% great.

Denise

Hi Katrina

Thank you. How are you? What type of treatment did you have?

Would you mind sharing with me how long it took for your pathology results? I had my biopsy at Mayo on Tuesday afternoon. I was told by the PA she would receive the results today, Thursday. I’m meeting with her on a Friday.

I just checked my portal and my pathology report is not posted. How long did it take for your pathology report to come back?

Do you know if Mayo locks down the reports until the PA sees it? Or, are they automatically released?

Thanks so much.

Hope you are doing well.

Denise