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Call after breast biopsy - what to expect?

Em_sof
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Hi, 

I’ve been supporting my mum since having an abnormal mammogram around 6 weeks ago and just wanted some advice.

So she had a routine mammogram around 6 weeks ago and around 2 weeks after that received a referral letter from the hospital due to an abnormal mammogram.

On the day they did an ultrasound and an additional mammogram and couldn’t rule it out as non-concerning so they took some biopsies. We then went back around 3 weeks ago for the biopsy results which they said were not cancerous, however she did have a complex sclerosing lesion with atypical cell changes so they wanted to remove it and do some further tests.

She went back last week to have it removed and the consultant said that 20% of biopsies may come back as cancer when the full thing has been removed even if the previous smaller biopsies were clear but he was fairly confident that it didn’t look like cancer and they’d scheduled her for a routine appointment for the 24th October just to discuss whatever they’ve found.

However, today she’s had a call from the hospital saying her results are back and they need to see her more urgently and they’ve booked her in for tomorrow afternoon to see the consultant. 

I guess what I’d like to know is does this mean it’s likely bad news and it is cancer given how quickly they want to see her? I’d just like to know what we can expect tomorrow so I can prepare mentally and stay strong for my mum.

Thanks in advance 

  • Hello em_sof

    I'm sorry to hear that your Mum has recently been having investigations following an initially mammogram abnormality. How did her appointment go with the specialist yesterday? I hope that they were able to give you both some answers and reassurance about the next steps. 

    If there's anything you'd like to talk through with one of our nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. 

    Sending you both my best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Hi Jenn, 

    Thanks for the response.

    Unfortunately it wasn’t great news, she has DCIS. 

    They’re going to do surgery in a couple of weeks to remove it and then look at further treatment options dependant on what they find then.

    We’re feeling fairly positive as it’s the Dr’s have said it’s the early stages and the hope is that they find it’s still contained to her duct and they don’t find any invasive cancer, so fingers crossed.

    It’s obviously still a worrying time but I was expecting bad news with them moving the appointment so just need to try and stay strong and support my mum through the next couple of months now!

  • in reply to Em_sof

    Hello em_soph

    I'm sorry to hear that the biopsy results showed your Mum has DCIS. It's understandable that this may have left you both feeling a bit anxious but as you say, it's positive that this has been caught early and hopefully the team will be able to resolve this quickly. 

    Do give our nurses a call if you want to talk things through at any point. They are a great source of knowledge and support. 

    I hope that things progress smoothly for your Mum over the coming months. Do let us know how she gets on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Em_sof

    Hi Em-sof,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear of your mum's diagnosis, but I am glad to hear that she has caught it early. This is the benefit of routine mammograms. Although none of us want a cancer diagnosis, it is better to catch it in the early stages, when it is more treatable. Her surgery is likely to be straightforward. The tissue removed will be sent for testing along with a couple of lymph nodes. They will also check that your margins are clear after surgery. This will determine what treatment options are available after that.

    I'm glad to hear that she is due to have surgery in a couple of weeks. It is good that you are by her side to offer support as she travels this journey. Try to keep communication channels between the two of you open at all times, as we all need someone to talk to. This is a difficult time for both of you and I sincerely hope that all goes well for her. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for both of you. 

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine,

    Thank you for the kind words and encouragement.

    Like you said they’re hoping it’ll be a straightforward lumpectomy and they’ll get a clear margin with no invasive cancer present and that should hopefully be it or a short course of radiation following that. My only worry is that the last two appointments prior to yesterday they’d basically told her it there wasn’t any cancer present in her biopsies and the consultant radiologist said they were almost definite it wasn’t cancer. I know they never told us 100% and no one is to blame I just feel anxious that we might get similar bad news again following the lumpectomy and find there’s invasive cancer present.

    Thank you! I’m trying to stay strong for her as I can’t imagine what she’s feeling like but I’m finding it tough and feel really selfish telling close family or friends that I’m struggling as I’m not the one going through it and i certainly don’t want her to know I’m struggling. 

    I appreciate the support during this time.

    Em xx

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