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Hi all worried newbie here breast biopsy this week

Fuzzywig
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Hi All

i went to the GP about a week ago as felt swelling in my armpit, he sent me to the breast clinic. Once there had a Mammogram first ever and a scan. Consultant said it was fine fatty tissue in armpit.

 

Then she said she found some calcifications on my left breast and needed to do another mammogram to get a better look. After that she says that they don't have the characteristics of benign calcifications and I will need a biopsy, which is booked for this Friday. 
 

Now I'm panicking as just seemed a lot of ups and downs elated about the no lump in armpit now scared to death as heard biopsy hurts a lot and if they say it's the big C. I have read loads that most calcifications are benign but was just wondering if the radiographer knows it isn't benign by looking at it as it all seems to be going to so fast to have biopsy etc...

 

Am I just over thinking all this

 

Thanks for any advice 

  • Hello Fuzzywig and welcome to the forum. 

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently found a lump which the Consultant has requested more tests on. We know it can feel sometimes like things are moving quickly but one of the benefits of a one-stop breast clinic is that you don't typically have long periods of time to wait between appointments and tests. 

    We have some information about different types of breast biopsies on our website which I'll link for you here but hopefully some of our members will also pop along to share their experiences with you too. 

    If it would help to talk through your concerns before your appointment on Friday please do give our team of nurses a call. I'm sure they will be able to offer some support and advice. You can call them on 0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

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    Hi there

    Sorry that they found somthing they want to investigate further, I also had calcifications but mine turned out to be DCIS. I had 2 core vacum biopsies and didn't feel any pain as the breasts were injected with a local anaesthetic. I didnt class DCIS as 'the big C' as its classed as a 'pre cancer' although that doesnt mean all DCIS will become cancer (unfortunately it did in my case). If it is DCIS then best to get it removed, DCIS has a 100% survival rate and as its in situ it hasnt spread outside the breast.

    Good luck with the biopsy this Friday, hope it all goes well.

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    Hi 

    to start with please don't worry about the biopsy being painful because it isn't 

    they take the utmost care I had a needle biopsy and a vacuum biopsy this was taken in an uncomfortable position and took a long time but wasn't painful 

    your right most calcifications are just because of normal aging so try to get your rational head on 

    we all know on this site how alarming all this is 

    try to stay off google 

    your are in the best hands 

    I hope it all goes well x

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    I had biopsy last week and I didn't feel a thing as they give a local anaesthetic, I would just say it's more uncomfortable because you have to stay still with your boob clamped. I am now waiting for results and that's the worst bit. Trying not to over think it but it is difficult. 

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