Lump and microcalcifications - pre-diagnosis - HELP

Hi, so I found a hard lump under my breast and got referred on - had all the usual tests early this week and three biopsies from the lump via ultrasound when they also put in a metal marker. Was told it would be 1-2 weeks for biopsy results by person doing them.  Then saw consultant and was told my mammogram showed microcalcifications in the same breast that weren't there in my previous mammogram in 2017 (strangely no mention of the mammogram I had Oct 2020).  Anyway then told they need to do stereotactic biopsy on the microcalcifications under mammogram and couldn't do that on the day - up to two week wait. When I asked about the results of biopsies on lump, I was told that I won't get any results or info until they have results of both biopsies circa 6 week.  I can't find any info on having a lump and microcalcifications anywhere. I am the sort of person who needs to face possibilities and I feel very much in the dark and afraid. 
 

Has anyone heard of or experienced this please?

Parents
  •  

    Hi MickeyM,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    Stereotactic biopsy will give your team the chance to look at your breast in more detail. This doesn't always signify bad news, but is a good sign that your care team is being thorough. It is impossible to find out much until the results of your biopsy come back and you know exactly what you are dealing with. You should find some information about DCIS and calcifications on the Cancer Research Website. Try to avoid consulting Dr Google, as much of his information is out of date, poorly researched and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This will only serve to worry you further.

    There is a lady called Karen1971 on the forum. She has been posting under the title ‘Waiting on breast biopsy results.’ If you do a search for her, you may be able to help one another through this.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  •  

    Hi MickeyM,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    Stereotactic biopsy will give your team the chance to look at your breast in more detail. This doesn't always signify bad news, but is a good sign that your care team is being thorough. It is impossible to find out much until the results of your biopsy come back and you know exactly what you are dealing with. You should find some information about DCIS and calcifications on the Cancer Research Website. Try to avoid consulting Dr Google, as much of his information is out of date, poorly researched and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This will only serve to worry you further.

    There is a lady called Karen1971 on the forum. She has been posting under the title ‘Waiting on breast biopsy results.’ If you do a search for her, you may be able to help one another through this.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children
  • Thank you Jolamine, your reply was really helpful and appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time xx 

  •  

    No problem. I hope that all goes well for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Ok, so I'm now officially in meltdown - consultant told me I would have my stereotactic biopsy within two weeks.  As you know he won't give me my results of my lump biopsies until he's done these ones.  He gave me a timescale of within two weeks for next set of biopsies and then six weeks total til I got all my results.  The stereotactic biopsy has been scheduled for 16th November - WHAT!!! I rang and they said this is first available apt - I explained consultant said within two weeks - she asked who the consultant was (like I was told or can remember!) - can't wait that long - not sleeping as it is and barely functioning now off HRT too - HELP! Xx

  • Hi MickeyM

    So sorry you have to wait around for tests/results. Sounds like there is a huge demand for their services right now. 

    Could you get in touch with your MP to try and move things along?

    When I was diagnosed with DCIS, I had to wait 3 months for my operation and then another 3 months for margin clearance. It is hard to deal with mentally and tried my best to keep busy and push it to the back of my mind.

    Keep pushing them for the care you are entitled to x

  • Hi there, 

    Thank you so much for responding.  I hadn't thought about MP. I'll ring hospital again in the morning, no-one rang me back.  I was struggling enough with wait consultant told me, but I took him at his word as he said he was trying to manage my expectations. 

    I'm sorry to hear about your DCIS diagnosis and delays in treatment.  How are you now? Was that long ago? What were your symptoms? Don't worry, I'm not trying to self-diagnose, given up on that idea - I'm just aware it will be all or nothing with both microcalcifications and a lump xx 

    Any tips for pushing it to the back of my mind/coping?  - I am so exhausted my usual exercise routine has fallen away completely.  The place they've put the marker makes it uncomfortable to wear a bra and heaven knows how long that will stay on the lump now. 
     

    Sorry for all the questions, don't respond to any you don't want to, I understand, just curious by nature. 

    Thank you so much for your support. Xx

  •  

    Hi MickeyM,

    I am so sorry to hear about this latest setback. When you phone the hospital tomorrow, they should be able to search the computer to see who your consultant was. It should also be on the referral for your biopsy, so it should be easy enough for them to find. Failing this, your GP may have heard something from him and know who he is. 

    Once you find out who he is, you can always phone his secretary, who should be able to tell you whether or not there's been a mistake made with your appointment. You may have noticed that Karen has just got the all clear after her stereotactic biopsy, so it does happen!

    This is always a worrying time and it is difficult to put matters to the back of your mind. Do you have any hobbies or pasttimes that you can become embroiled in? You will find it helpful to keep yourself busy with something like this. Failing all else, doing a jigsaw is quite a good way to lose yourself for a while.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine, thank you for the reply.  I chased several times today and was told someone would call me back.  This afternoon I rang again and said I was sorry for being a pain, but I didn't know if anything was going on in the background or not. I was then told that it was, but they had to consult with consultant and lots of people were involved and I would get a call back.  I thanked her and I did get a call back later and they've managed to bring my apt forward to 12th October. May not be the 'within two weeks that I was told by consultant, but it's five weeks before the original one they offered. I feel strong enough with all your support to wait another fortnight for this next stage. Thank you. 
     

    I like to run and exercise, but I'm still a bit battered and bruised from first biopsy.  Also the marker and lump is just above my bra line and so wearing any support right now is painful. 
     

    I do work full time (and some) but it's an emotionally demanding role and so it doesn't help me take my mind of it all - but I'm feeling more positive today now - just very tired xx 

     

    Thank you again for your support xx 

  • Hi MickeyM,

    I am delighted to hear that you finally got somewhere today. I agree that getting your appointment brought forward to 12th October is a big improvement. - two weeks is quite long enough to wait. Keeping busy doesn't always have to be work related. Do something that you enjoy doing, so long as it helps to pass the time.

    I am glad to hear that you are feeeling more positive today and remember, that you always have our support in the meanwhile.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine, 

    Thank you so much for your support. I will try to occupy myself constructively. 
     

    xx

  • Hello everyone who has replied to me, really appreciated. So I've just had another shock - letter arrived with an appointment at the breast surgery clinic next Thursday. I'm very confused - rang breast unit and confirmed I still have my stereotactic biopsies booked in for next Tuesday and will wait up to two weeks for those results, but told they'd had a meeting and a clear decision has been made and I will be seeing the consultant next Thursday.  As you know, I was originally told consultant won't see me until they had all my results and now it seems they've made a clear decision on the lump and I have face to face with consultant booked in. 
     

    cant stop shaking - is this code for it's definitely cancer? Xx