Vacuum biopsy pain and the long wait

Hi.... 

I had a vacuum assisted biopsy yesterday two weeks after a needle biopsy. This was after a routine mammogram, my first, showed an area for concern. No lump could be felt and it wasn't visible on ultrasound. The tissue they took 9n first biopsy was benign but they said the marker had slipped so wanted to make sure they had the right place. 

 

I haven't slept all night because of discomfort in my arm pit. The procedure became quite painful and ended up with four lots of local anaesthetic. The pain is like a deep ache.... How long does this last for?

Dont get the results for two weeks, how do I take my mind off the wait?? 

  • Hello Kmg67, 

    It must be really difficult for you to take your mind off the wait especially if you are experiencing pain and discomfort. If you are worried, it might be worth giving a call to your GP just to make sure everything is ok and that this deep ache is to be expected. They will also be able to tell you how long this should last for. 

    We also have some information on our website on the vacuum assisted biopsy which you can find here. The 2 week wait for results can indeed feel like a lifetime. The best thing to do while waiting is to carry on with your normal routine and keep busy and distracted and avoid looking things up online as this will only exacerbate your anxiety. There are some good tips to help you cope with this long wait on this page. 

    I hope this helps and keeping everything tightly crossed for you!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator