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So worried about wife's breast biopsy

TheWorryHubby
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Hi there,

My 35-year-old wife often experiences cysts in her breasts that change with her cycle.  About 3 years ago she went to the breast clinic for an ultrasound and was told she had cysts but to visit the doctor in future if she is worried.  A few weeks ago she felt a cyst and went to her GP who sent her to the breast clinic.  She saw a doctor who examined her when she arrived and said she thought she may need to have a cyst drained.  She then had a an ultrasound where the radiologist said "oh no, that's a solid lump, you'll need a biopsy".  She said something about fibroadenoma but didn't really engage with my wife and actually answered her phone mid appt to get her daughter's GCSE results.  She then sent her on her way.  My wife was so upset she didn't ask any questions and no one else was allowed in because of Covid apparently.

I am so sick with worry I can't do anything.  I put on a brave face for her but I'm a mess.  I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder which doesn't help.  Why did they not say anything else?  I read on here of incidents where the doctors say straight away thats something is suspicious, my wife was just prodded and then sent on her way.  How will the results come?  Would the radiologist have even mentioned fibroadenoma if she thought it was cancer?  I want to be strong for my wife but I'm not as strong as she is and I'm breaking down regularly during the day with the most horrendous scenarios playing out in my head.  The NHS site and others seem to suggest that they generally can diagnose a fibroadenoma from an ultrasound brt can't be 100% sure so order a biopsy.  I don't want to speak badly of doctors who are under incredible amounts of pressure but it just seems my wife hasn't been supported in any way, shape of form.  She doesn't even know how she will get the results.  I know she should have asked but she was terrified and crying under her mask.  Not that anyone noticed...

I'm sorry that I'm posting basically about me who isn't the one waiting for a biopsy result. 

Thank you

A

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    Hi, as a husband of someone who was diagnosed with bc, i get your fear.

    Not everyone gets told simply because they don't always know if something is suspicious or not. She was told during her biopsy it was likely malignant. But there are stories on here too from folk even being told it's nothing, to it being something and vice versa. The reality is, only that biopsy can tell 100% whether it is or isn't malignant.

    Both your wife and yourself are currently going through, what i found to be the worst part, mentally. The not knowing is the worst in that respect. Even if it is a solid tumour, most do come back benign.

  • Offline in reply to ProfBaw

    Thanks so much for your reply and I'm sorry to hear about your wife, and hope that she is doing well.

    I do understand they can't say anything for certain and I guess I would be worried whatever they said.  I just wish they had said something to her and ateast explained the results process.  My wife is taking it in her stride and getting on with it but I always imagine the worst.  You're so right about not knowing.  Uncertainty is the worst in these kinds or situations.

    Thanks again,

    A

  • Offline in reply to TheWorryHubby

    Hi

     

    From my experience of fibroadenoma's - these are solid dark lumps on the ultrasound and most of them have rounded edges.  The one i've just recently had biopsied had irregular borders, which is not characteristic of around 75% of fibroadenoma's - which is why i'm feeling so incredibly anxious.

    previously i had a a biopsy done and it was a fybroadenoma - these are apparently quite common.  I do hope everything turns out for the best.

    with regards to results, I believe most results are given in person be it good or bad.... so you should get another appointment for the results.

     

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