Hello hayleyb

I'm sorry to hear that you've recently needed a breast biopsy. I know that this will be a worrying time for you and it's understandable that you're feeling anxious about what the results may be. 

Typically women under 40 aren't routinely given mammograms due to the density of their breast tissue and this may be why the area of concern wasn't seen on your mammogram but was seen on the ultrasound. It's not uncommon for a marker or clip to be put in place during a biopsy and this is to help the Consultant locate the area if further tests or surgery is needed. However, having a clip inserted doesn't automatically mean that this area will be cancer and it's perfectly safe for the marker to be left in place if this is the case. 

I know that this period of uncertainty waiting for results is difficult and many of our members will have experienced the same feelings of anxiety. It can help to talk things through with someone during times like this and I wonder if you might find it helpful to talk to one of our nurses. I'm sure they will be able to answer some of the questions you may have and to offer you some advice and support ahead of your results. If you'd like to speak to them they're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

Do keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi Hayley,

I am so sorry to hear about your worries. I have had 2 bouts of breat cancer in the past 11 years and am currently undergoing tests for a third, so I can certainly relate to your anxiety. Unfortunately, our minds start to play all sorts of tricks on us as soon as anyone mentions even the slightest possibility of a cancer diagnosis. Most of us immediately start thinking the worst.

I lost my mum to breast cancer 20 years before I was diagnosed. Treatment has improved tremendously since then and now a large number of people are surviving it instead of dying with it. There is just no comparison between the diagnostics, treatment and aftercare that my mum experienced and that which I have received. I was at an age where I was receiving routine mammograms, but these never picked up anything untoward. I eventualy found a lump myself and was referred to the breast clinic. I later discovered that my type of cancer doesn't always show up on ultrasound or mammogram. Fortunately, it did for me when I attended the breast clinic.

Mammograms usually show up more than an ultrasound, but this possibly didn't happen with you because of your age. Younger people usually have denser breasts and it can be difficult to get a clear image in someone under 40. It is routine to put a marker where they find a mass, as this makes it easier to locate the mass if surgery is needed. If it isn't, the marker doesn't do any harm by being left in.

I know that it's difficult not to overthink your current situation. Whatever the outcome, you will feel better once you know what you are dealing with. In the meantime, try to keep busy to distract yourself from the wait and whatever you do, steer clear of the internet until you know exactly what you are dealing with. If you are unfortunate enough to get a cancer diagnosis, you will deal with it. You may have a difficult year of surgery and treatment first, but it is all perfectly 'doable'.

This does draw you up short and you are still dealing with the shock, but you should still be here to see that lovely daughter of yours grow up.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there,

I am Jaque and 35 years old.

I am in the same boat as you, waiting for biopsy results.

I found a lump in my breast during pregnancy but ignored it and decided to wait until I had my midwives’ appointment. In the end I had a silent miscarriage that was only found during the 12 weeks scan.  So after recovering from the miscarriage, I went to the GP and pointed out the lump, she examined me and referred me to the breast clinic. At the time I was still numbed by the miscarriage so did not worry much until the week of the breast clinic appointment.  

Had the appointment this Wednesday, was examined by one consultant that then called a second consultant – panic starts – the second consultant told me she thought it was benign but was sending me to mammogram and ultrasound and if the radiologist deemed necessary a biopsy then.

Quick note that I had a biopsy before at age 27 in Brazil that turned out to be benign. So I knew the drill and kept positive.

During my ultrasound the doctor seem more interested in my right breast, that was the one I had the previous biopsy. She started asking questions about the previous exams and asked me if I was told I had adenocarcinoma, that at the moment there laying on the table with someone examining me I didn’t comprehend that she meant cancer. I explained that I was young and once told it was ok I completely wiped it out of my brain, even the advice from the doctor at the time to get it checked every year. The doctor then said she would do a core biopsy on it.

Then on lump on my left breast, she seemed confident it was nothing and that she was going to drain the contents with a needle.

She then called the head radiologist and showed her my scan, they had that kind of doctor’s chat that you know that they saw something. Had the core biopsy on the right breast – is it just me or the stable noise of the biopsy is the hardest part? I was holding on the bed with my two hands, but still could not help but jump each time, that I guess wasn’t helpful for the doctor.

She then tried to drain the lump in the left breast with a needle but didn’t work and she tells me that she will need to do a core biopsy, it is a complex cyst. Again, I held the bed with my hands and went through it.

On my way out she says that the oncologists have a meeting on Thursday and will discuss my case then and the nurse will call me after that. At that moment I convinced myself that I had cancer – but then after reading a few forums realised that seems that they discuss every case. Because of Covid as well they are not giving appoiments for a second visit, you get a call from a nurse that says that you need to return or not.

Me and my husband started last year trying for kids and after the first miscarriage we are giving us some time to heal to try again. Now we are waiting for the results and I am trying not to panic.

All those consultant consulting each other in front of me didn’t help adding the adenocarcinoma question, I am finding really hard to remain positive. But my husband is great and it is a great source of comfort.

In my head I kept on thinking that two biospys means twice as much chance of they finding something.

Trying to stay positve.