It's hard to digest all the information you are given isn't it, the only advice I can give you is that the radiographer is only looking at an image on the screen, the samples taken will have been tested thoroughly and if the oncology team require more testing take the test its only doubling your negative test. In the unlikely event they go on to find something consider it a lucky break. 

Hello and thank you for posting.

I am sorry that you feel confused by the information given to you about a breast biopsy result.

Once a biopsy has been taken the sample is sent to a laboratory and the cells are studied under a microscope by a pathologist to determine what the cells look like. This can range from a normal healthy cell, an abnormal cell, a low-grade cancer cell, and then a high-grade cancer cell. 

It is important you discuss this with your team as they will give an answer that is specific to you and your situation. But from what you have told us it sounds like the Consultant radiographer's impression was that your punch biopsy had suspicious cells that looked like they could be malignant (cancer). This was not a definite diagnosis as she used the term suspicious which is why the MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) is needed.

A breast MDT meeting, (a gathering of all of the breast specialists, including radiology from that hospital)  will then examine the slides further. This is normal practice for all cancers, at all hospitals. The MDT's joint impression seems to be that although the cells look suspicious, they do not necessarily look cancerous. So the decision has been made to advise you that more breast tissue is needed. This is so the pathologist can ensure that other cells in that breast are purely abnormal cells and have not 'turned into' cancer cells.

Do discuss this all further with your team, and I hope you get the information you need. If you want to talk anything through with one of the nurses on our helpline the number is Freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Sarah.

Thank you Sarah for your kind reply and for clarifying matters. I have an appointment for a vacuum breast excision that will hopefully give a definite diagnosis but now that I am better informed, I feel a little more positive and less frantic. Kindest regards.