I certainly had a biopsy as part of the diagnostic process.  I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer at the end of it but just because this was the outcome for me doesn’t mean to say it will be the same for you.

I think biopsies are very common.  For what it’s worthI did not find the biopsy too bad - though I acknowledge it’s easy for me to say as I do not have a needle phobia myself..  I have had concerns about other aspects of the process however so I can empathise with how you are feeling.

You are by no means alone in having a phobia , which impacts on some aspect of diagnosis / treatment.  The nurses and Drs will be very experienced in supporting someone with a needle phobia so I’d certainly advise talking to them about it.  I think I’d consider talking to them well in advance of the appointment.  It might help lessen your fears so you don’t spend quite such an anxious couple of weeks before the 14th.  

FYI  I was prescribed a Lorezepam tablet  to place under the tongue, during a procedure and this definitely helped.  It may be that, if you want, this can be prescribed for you ( I’m not sure whether the hospital / GP would do this - maybe a question in the Ask The Nurses category might clarify this?)

Another FYI - I gather that CBT is availabile on the NHS via your GP and I think this could really help with something like a needle phobia.  Waiting lists can be quite long and I guess that that’s why some people choose to go privately, if they can afford it ..

I hope this helps.  Waiting for a diagnosis seems to be widely acknowledged as one of the worst parts of the process but you will get through it.

Good luck with everything.

Hi - I was just at 2ww breast clinic on Tuesday.

I saw a consultant breast surgeon first who examined me, they sent me over to have mammogram and ultrasound.

They did mammogram of both breast and sent me to wait for ultrasound. They then called me back for more images on mammogram.

Then back to wait for ultrasound. 

I believe they only do biopsy if they see something that warrants it. I had biopsy. The staff were lovely and very reassuring. 

They only did ultrasound on the breast that had symptoms. 

They give local anaesthetic first. It's a very small scratch. Not painful. I didnt look for the rest of it. I had core needle biopsy I think. It makes a loud click noise. The doctor demonstrated it beforehand so it didn't surprise me. They took 6 biopsies. I couldn't feel anything. They also inserted a marker, which I also couldn't feel. After each biopsy they applied quite a lot of pressure to prevent bleeding. I was then sent back for another quick mammogram to check the marker was in the right place and then sent home. I get the biopsy results next week. 

The breast can feel bruised afterwards btw. 

I wasn't really expecting a biopsy but it was fine. 

I hope your appointment goes well. Tell the staff upfront about your phobia. I'm sure it's not that uncommon. They'll do their best to put you at ease.