Breast Biopsy
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Anonymous
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I got called back after my mammogram due to "focal asymmetry." My OB wasn't worried and it's quite common. I went in for another mammogram and ultrasound and the radiologist told me there is a bit of thicker tissue. She didn't see anything on the ultrasound but said I should get a biopsy. I am absolutely beside myself. I can't find much information about biopsies where there isn't a lump. Anyone been through this???
Also, I had this done at Washington Radiology and I found everyone I dealt with to be exceptionally cold. I know doctors aren't therapists, but they have to know how terrifying it is to go through this and there was very little explanation given for anything. |
Anonymous
| So sorry. The good news is that if there is no lump, even if it is cancer, it is likely to be early stage and highly treatable. I had early stage breast cancer and the treatment was pretty easy (surgery, radiation, tamoxifen, but no chemo). I hope you get some more clarity soon. Radiologists often do not have the best bedside manner. Talking to your gym would probably be better. |
Anonymous
| Sorry. That should say Gyn not gym! |
Anonymous
| Do your research on pain management. My friend found her breast biopsy quite painful. If you're premenopausal, schedule it for the first half of your cycle (right after your period, before ovulation), because that's when your tolerance to pain is highest. |
Anonymous
Can you do the biopsy at VHC? I had a breast biopsy there, and while the experience was very stressful, the staff was amazingly kind. I also took a Xanax before the procedure, which also helped. Beyond that, I just want to send you love and good wishes. I know this is very stressful and scary, but as previous posters have pointed out, even if it is something (and it likely is not), you'd be catching it early. I know that probably doesn't help right now -- I've been there and know the fear and stress -- but I'm sending you hope and virtual hugs. You'll get through this. |
Anonymous
It is normal to be anxious and scared. However the comments from your doctor clearly state she/he/they aren't worried and even state it is common. As hard as it is, try to avoid google. Blow up your doctor's phone if you have to. The online info is not only unreliable but keep in mind typically those who ultimately don't have an issue never return to forums say that so everything online is skewed. Soon this will be a memory. Sorry you're going through this. |
Anonymous
Everyone is different. Since my breast biopsy found cancer, I would not wait to schedule around period. I also did not find the biopsy extraordinarily painful (sore, yes, with bad bruising that took a couple weeks to resolve) and was able to manage it with tylenol and ibuprofen, but of course if I couldn't I could have always asked for stronger pain relief. I do agree with ro-actively managing pain if you have it. |
Anonymous
| Breast biopsies are no big deal. If you don't want to do it, skip it, but really the procedure is very easy. |
Anonymous
| OP here: I am going to do the biopsy. They wanted to schedule me more than two weeks out (I had to wait three weeks to get the follow-up mammogram) and I had them schedule me for a different office so I could get in sooner. The wait is killing me. I'm much less worried about the pain than the results. |
Anonymous
| What's the birads? |
Anonymous
FWIW, I did not like WRA. I had my mammograms done there for years, which were always clear. I don't want to go into the details, but it is clear to me that I had at least 2 mammograms there which missed my cancer. Fortunately, I was insistent about a lump and got a follow up ultra-sound there, but it was also poorly done because it focused on the palpable lump I identified and did not even look at the rest of the breast (where there were other palpable lumps visible on subsequent US done at Medstar, one of which turned out to be cancerous). I was also frustrated that they basically refused to give me access to a key pathology document that I had to ask for multiple times, they seemed to think the doctor call was enough. It was not. No one processes surprising oral information well. Plus, the doctor did not fully report what the pathology report said, leaving out important information. By coincidence in the middle of all this I had an annual exam with my primary doc who referred me to Medstar colleagues at the Medstar/Georgetown breast center. I switched to getting all my diagnostic imaging (more US and breast MRI) there and it was a MUCH better experience than WRA. WRA had been slow to schedule follow ups, offering me appointments weeks apart. By contrast, Medstar staff were calling me and offering me appointments within days. Because the Medstar Georgetown Breast Center is so integrated, I was handed back and forth between specialties quickly and my whole experience from initial appointment through all diagnostic imaging and to final surgery was less than 2 months. The radiologist who did the biopsies post US & MRI explained to me right away what was happening and even pulled me into her office and showed me MRI images of my biopsy spots and gently broke the news that I might start thinking about a mastectomy instead of lumpectomy. I had cancer, but I clearly caught it early, no thanks to WRA. |
Anonymous
OP: I have absolutely no idea. I wasn't given any information. |
Anonymous
No lump for me but ended up having a mastectomy a few months later. So, def get it done. The biopsy itself is not fun, as none of those things are. But it really wasn't bad and it was slightly comical as you're elevated above the technician like a car in an autobody shop. I wasn't even really sore or anything afterwards. You will learn through this process how cold the medical profession is, unfortunately. They deal with this stuff all day every day. So there is little empathy or warmth in dealing with this (or other) situations. And if you raise concerns, show emotion, etc. they make you feel like a hypochondriac. This has been the case, I've learned, across specialty, role (MD, PA, nurse), gender, etc. Between my breast issues, and some other things that have come up in the last few years, it has been quite a frustratingly eye-opening realization. |
Anonymous
Thanks for giving my the first laugh about my recent breast biopsy! Agreed, it wasn't that bad, although positioning for the one site they wanted was awkward, and I have an ugly bruise. That said, I didn't need any pain medication after. |
Anonymous
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I had one this summer and it honestly was not bad. My breast was misshapen for a few weeks because they drained a cyst. The waiting is the hard part. My primary care doc messed up and somehow I ended up waiting an extra week for results (The breast clinic was not permitted to release them directly--had to go through primary care doc. I later saw the date my primary care doc got them). That was incredibly stressful even though I was pretty sure it was fine (you can tell by the demeanor of the staff and the comments they make).
Get it done as soon as you can but try to put it out of your head and not catastrophize. |