Why such delays for breast biopsy. How long did you wait?

Posted by joannemm34293 @joannemm30809, Jul 15, 2023

An Ultrasound done five weeks ago and MRI done three weeks ago shows high chance of breast cancer in lump found. My 3D February mammogram missed this lump. Ultrasound in May caught it and MRI confirmed it YET I’m STILL waiting for a BIOPSY.

I live in Venice Florida and I’ve been waiting six weeks now just to get a biopsy.

Our health care system (besides Mayo and Moffitt Cancer center in Tampa) IS COLLAPSING.

Average Americans who are not wealthy will NOT get the urgent care and surgery they need.

And we wonder why thousands of women die from breast cancer?? It’s because of the 3rd world country status health care where I too may pay with my life because I’m STILL WAITING SIX WEEKS just for a BIOPSY, NEVER MIND GETTING THIS LUMP COMPLETELY CUT OUT.

DISGRACEFUL.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

carolina8 | @carolina8 | Jul 26, 2023

I am so sorry you are experiencing the wait. I was diagnosed during the pandemic. Diagnostic mammogram and biopsy was done quickly. Then came the two month wait for surgery. It felt as if I could feel the rapid growth. Surgeon said it is slow growing but I couldn’t get the image out of my head. He was correct in the end when I finally had the surgery. Those months were awful though. Will be thinking of you. I had my surgery at Sarasota Memorial was happy with everything but the wait time

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jul 26, 2023

In reply to @leolion811 "Yes and TNBC. Thank you 😊" + (show)

When is your biopsy? 🤞🤞

leolion811 | @leolion811 | Jul 26, 2023

In reply to @auntieoakley "When is your biopsy? 🤞🤞" + (show)

I rescheduled it for Monday, August 21st ( after we get home from vacation)

joannemm34293 | @joannemm30809 | Jul 27, 2023

Had biopsy July 25. Preliminary pathology report says 'Atypical cells-suspicious for carcinoma ' and they are doing Immunostaining to see exactly what it is but the preliminary path says suspicious for carcinoma.
Not sure how long rest of report will take with them doing this staining method.

joannemm34293 | @joannemm30809 | Jul 28, 2023

In reply to @auntieoakley "I agree that it is horrible to have to wait for what feels like an urgent..." + (show)

Biopsy came back invasive ductal carcinoma. This pathology report I do not understand if it's deadly news or hope.

joannemm34293 | @joannemm30809 | Jul 28, 2023

In reply to @lisakinpa "I can understand your concern but having a friend who is a radiologist, I can see..." + (show)

Biopsy came back. Not good news.

crteelect | @crteelect | Jul 29, 2023

In reply to @joannemm30809 "Biopsy came back invasive ductal carcinoma. This pathology report I do not understand if it's deadly..." + (show)

I was told IDC is the most common breast cancer. There are a lot of factors that go into what your prognosis is. What size? What stage? ER/PR + or -? Node involved? Her2 + or -? I was diagnosed in 11/22 with IDC stage 1 with 4mm tumor, 8mm clear margins, no nodes positive, ER/PR+, Her2-. I don't have the genes for breast cancer. I chose a lumpectomy, 3 weeks of radiation and I'm taking Anastrozole for the next 5 years. I can also share with you that my younger sister was diagnosed with IDC in 2018 and just had her 4 year scan and is cancer free.

joannemm34293 | @joannemm30809 | Jul 29, 2023

In reply to @joannemm30809 "Biopsy came back. Not good news." + (show)

The radiologist rated my MRI and ultrasound at Bi-RAD 4B.

Yet on June 2nd after I got MRI results the 12 surgeons I called and breast centers said they were all booked up until August do to a biopsy. Unbelievable. Very sad. I finally got my biopsy July 25 after waiting two months on a Bi RADS 4B.

mossa | @mossa | Jul 29, 2023

In reply to @joannemm30809 "Biopsy came back. Not good news." + (show)

Take a deep breath. Your next appointment with your surgeon will have more information on path forward. Do you have someone to go with you as a second set of ears and that person can take notes? This will be really difficult, but try not to start looking everything up online until you get details from surgeon.

lakecabin | @lakecabin | Jul 29, 2023

In reply to @joannemm30809 "The radiologist rated my MRI and ultrasound at Bi-RAD 4B. Yet on June 2nd after I..." + (show)

I had the same type of cancer that you have. Mine was back in May 2020 at the start of Covid. I had my biopsy and diagnosis within a week. Unfortunately, my Breast Clinic appointment was not scheduled until July. Then another 6 weeks to see the surgeon and finally 2 more weeks to have surgery. I ended up with a Lumpectomy, followed by 16 rounds of Radiation. This was all done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. It didn't help that I was a former Mayo employee and had worked with many fo the Breast Clinic doctors.
Love the Boot Camp photo!! I have a similar one having served 01/84 to 11/94 Desert Storm/Shield.