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Worried sick after breast biopsy

hesta
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I got recalled after routine mammogram, went to the appointment today and was told I had microcalcifications. From what I've read many of these are dismissed as benign after a second mammogram, but after the doctor looked at my mammogram, he said I needed a biopsy. He didn't tell me much, and the breast care nurse was away so I had nobody to ask questions. I ended up having a mammogram, then a second one, then an ultrasound, then a biopsy, then another mammogram, and felt like I was being pushed from pillar to post with no real explanation of what was going on.

I had been in two minds whether to have the routine mammogram at all: it seems like a lot of women end up having invasive treatment for conditions (DCIS) that may never have been an issue in their lifetimes, but now I'm on the treadmill it seems there's no getting off. I eventually went for it thinking I'd get the all clear and it would give me peace of mind: instead, I'm now having to wait two weeks to hear whether it's something or not, and I'm stressed out of my head. I'm so worried that they'll say it's DCIS and I'll have to have possibly totally unnecessary treatment. But how can you know? Lots of my friends don't go for routine mammograms for precisely the reason of over diagnosis, and now I'm really wishing I hadn't gone either. I asked the doctor whether it was likely to be something pre-cancerous, but he was very evasive which made me feel even worse. Any tips for dealing with two weeks of stress? (as an aside: I'm a hospice nurse so spend my working life looking after people with late stage cancer, which is not helping my stress levels).

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    Hi Hesta,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    It is always a worry when we are recalled after a routine mammogram. Recall is more common after a first mammogram than subsequent ones, as there are no previous mammograms to compare to. If any changes are noticed in the breast tissue, it is normal to do a mammogram, an ultrasound and then a biopsy. This is because these tests are the definitive way of diagnosing whether or not there is any cancerous tissue present.

    There are 3 different levels of DCIS. In the early stages it can be non-invasive but, if not treated, it can develop the ability to become invasive breast cancer. Treatment for breast cancer aims to remove the cancer before it develops the ability to spread. Having had two bouts of breast cancer develop from DCIS, I would prefer to remove cells to avoid this if at all possible.

    With breast cancer affecting 1 person in 2, it seems prudent to have routine mammograms when offered them free of charge in the UK., rather than sticking our heads in the sand. Your doctor would have been unable to answer your question until the results of your biopsy are known, as this is the definative way of diagnosing whether or not cancer is present.

    I can understand that your job doesn't make it any easier to deal with this anxious wait. Try to find a pastime to keep you busy for the next couple of weeks. This is the best way to help the time to pass. We always advise people to stay away from 'Dr Google' at this stage, as much of the information is inaccurate, out of date and aimed at the spectacular. This will only serve to stress you further and be of no benefit to you in the long run.

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

    Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

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    Hi Hesta

    Sorry, you find yourself here. I was diagnosed with DCIS over 3 years ago so your post resonates with me, 

    For me the worst part of "the treadmill" was the 'not knowing', This knowledge gap allows minds to go into overdrive. 

    It helped to ease my anxiety by focusing on what I did know; I knew I had microcalcifications, I knew the clinicians thought they looked normal. I knew the biopsy was required in order to get an evidence based diagnosis.

    I kept telling myself it's not cancer until they say it's cancer and I kept myself busy until the results were in.

    The difference between our experiences is that I was shown my mammograms and could see the califications, so I knew the extent of them and I asked what they meant and was told possible DCIS. 

    When I went back for my biopsy results I knew that, from the mammograms, worst-case scenario was DCIS. When told it was DCIS I then left one treadmill only to join another- but that's another story.

    I would like to thank you for the work that you do in palliative care and hope that you get your results soon and that it will be good news.

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