An Honest Answer Please!

I have had several lumps over the past few years. I had a lumpectamy in Dec 2010 on one that was classed as B3 (whatever that means!) but all was well. I have moved areas so the system here is v different from where I lived before. I have been told that my mammo is clear, despite being called back to the hospital yesterday as they had found something suspicious elsewhere in the breast - but after ultrasound on that area they seem happy.
I am now waiting on the results of a core biopsy. My question is if the mammo has shown clear how common is it for a core biopsy to come back as bad news? I really need an honest answer here as am going slightly mad waiting for the results and am fed up with my husband saying it well be fine, because the mammo is OK - if that is the case then why do they do biopsies in the first place. Surely I just cant assume that it is all OK - it might not be!!!

Please could someone reply. There was no news in the post this morning so I have to wait until Tuesday now and am going slightly mad!!
If my mammo has come back clear, it is fair to assume that it is likely that the core biopsy results will come back clear too? I would really appreciate any reply. I wont mind if it doesn’t put my mind at rest, I just need to know! Thank you. A

Hi Annie
Sorry that you are feeling so anxious, it’s so difficult when waiting for results.
Whilst you’re waiting for others to reply, perhaps the Helpline might be able to help and support you? They’re open today until 2pm, then back open as normal on Tuesday 9-5. They’re great listeners and can also point you to other sources of help and information.
They’re on 0808 800 6000.
Kind regards.
Louise - Facilitator

Hi Annie
Sorry that you are feeling so anxious, it’s so difficult when waiting for results.
Whilst you’re waiting for others to reply, perhaps the Helpline might be able to help and support you? They’re open today until 2pm, then back open as normal on Tuesday 9-5. They’re great listeners and can also point you to other sources of help and information.
They’re on 0808 800 6000.
Kind regards.
Louise - Facilitator

As requested I will answer you honestly…
There are some types of cancer that do not show up well on mammograms and also some false negatives and some false positives from mammograms…so if they are unsure they have to order more tests. Ultrasound is good for some things but equally cannot pick up everything. A core biopsy (especially if is was ultra sound guuided) will show what kind of tissue it is…IF they get the right spot, there is a chance that too may be inconclusive!
You would not get results in the post, they always wait for an appointment to discuss results with you and waiting is HELL, your mind plays all kinds of tricks…I am currently waiting for the pathology results from my mastectomy 3 days ago…and this is the pathology info that really matters. So i am with you in worrying…
B3 I think would refer to the BIRADS score, which i think means most likely benign (google BIRADS for more info)
I passed a mammo 7 weeks ago and ultra sound showed as probably ok, but an MRI showed cancer and a core biopsy showed Stage 3 grade 3 cancer…becvause I have lobular cancer which hides and is hard to detect. BUT there are other conditions that are also hard to spot that are BENIGN so the chances are there IS something but it does not have to be cancer.
People are still trying to find their way around the new forum so that is why you have not had replies, its very frustrating!
Hope this helps

Helo Annielen, I am sorry you have not had many replies but the site is having problems as they have gone on to a new system.
My tumour never showed up on my mammograms either. But it did show up on an ultrasound scan.
The reason I was given is that younger women have denser breasts and that is why sometimes things are not spotted on the mammogram. So if you are a young woman that could be the reason why.
How are you feeling now? I will look out for your posts. But you are in good hands and they sound as if they are doing the right things for you. The not knowing and waiting for results is really hard. I hope all is well for you but if not we will he there to support you.
Once the forums are up and running I am sure you wil get more replies to your questions. Val

Thank you SO much for your replies. It is such a relief to talk about it all - I am trying to carry on as normal but it is quite hard, as of course you all know. I will await the postie - bless him, he thinks I’m a mad woman as I rip the post off him every morning.
I am 41, so don’t count as a young woman anymore - boo - I certainly don’t feel like one at the moment!!
Thank you again

Hi i have just read your reply to annieler,i am waiting for tests i had a core biopsy with ultra sound guided,the size is 1mm,i had cancer on the other side 6 yrs ago,and was told after the biopsy and with haveing breast cancer befor that it is more than likely to be cancer again.i will know on the 9 may, i just want to say that you seem to be going through alot your self and the things you said gives hope to some of us.take care,

At 41 you are considered a young woman (until 45). I was diagnosed at 44 when I consulted because of a pea size lump.
I was told it was a cyst as mammo, echo and biopsy, all came back clear. I agreed to have the cyst removed, this is when they found a 10 cm tumour. It is quite difficult to diagnosed lobular cancer for younger woman.

Sharon, good luck for Wednesday.

There you go - always a positive - I am still a ‘young woman’!!! Can’t sleep though!!!

Sorry, me again, with another stupid question-
Does a core biopsy change the shape of the lump. I had imagined that they only take a small slither of tissue, but my lump has changed significantly since the biopsy, nearly 2 weeks ago now - to the point that I can actually see it through the skin now whereas I couldn’t before - I don’t think I am imagining that, despite the lack of sleep - any answers greatly received.

No questions is too stupid, this is the most stressful and scary time in any woman´s life in my opinion, truly horrendous…
All of one side of my breast continuously changed shape including on the skin - I got back from the hospital today and although pathology is not back they did test the changed skin area during surgery last week and it was negative for cancer, I know from my biopsies and MRI that I have extensive areas of tissue changes that are NOT cancer and mine also changed a lot after the biopsies (I had 12 of them on the one breast) so try not to worry. I had visible changes on the outside of the breast for many weeks before (at least 10 weeks) that grew and grew, you could see and feel the tumoration (combination of cancer and benign) very easily so much so I was sure it even showed through bras and t shirts…
Remember also that you need to heal from the core biopsies so that will create changes - I was mutli coloured afterwards!
I am older than most of you (55) but always had very dense breasts and interestingly peak time for lobular cancer seems to be 45 to 55…

Aaaarh, this is horrendous - still no core biopsy results and it will be 2 weeks tomorrow since I had it done. My husband seems to think that because they haven’t rushed to get the results to me that means it is good news. Surely it doesn’t work like that does it? I feel like a walking zombie, it is ridiculous.

Why is it ridiculous? Its your life and breast we are talking about…
I was told core biopsy results would take about 2 weeks, in fact mine took less, but there are all kinds of variables nothing to do with you that could be affecting this - so frustrating though it is, you cannot read anything in to the time it is taking, positive or negative I´m afraid…Even when they are back they will probably phone you to tell you they are back and make an appointment with you to tell you what they are as they will not tell you over the phone - I had to wait 3 more days even though I knew they knew!!
Its a nightmarish time

Thanks Sasha,
Why is the fact that my dear dear husband keeps saying ‘there is nothing to worry about’, ‘it will all be fine’ is really irritating me - IT MIGHT NOT BE!
I can’t work out whether he genuinely believes that - we have played this ‘waiting for results’ game a number of times now (though I don’t think I have been this worried before) or he is really worried and doesn’t want to let me know - MEN!!
Presumably they don’t call you in if the results are clear…unless they need to boost the car park revenue, I guess!!

Normally they call you in for the results, whatever they are…your husband is doing his best to keep himself calm I think, just tell him to listen to you and be with you in the truly not knowing as that is the best description of where you are right now…sorry to say, it can drive you mad.

its back,very upset.want to write so much just to upset.

I am here whenever you are ready and I am sure loads of others will be as well but take your time…this is a hell of a process and horribly gut wrenchingly distressing, of course you are upset…I will check back online later tonight in case you have been back - or you can use the private message facility to contact me as that seems to be working now?
I never thought I would do anything normal again but I went out for the first time today and even had some lunch out and I am just one week post op!! It was tough at times but I managed it…

Dear Mini 20, I am sorry that the news wasn’t good today. We are here for you to help you through this so post anytime you want to chat or just to say how you are feeling. We are there to hold your hand and help you through all this. It is not an easy time. We know just how you feel. HUgs, Val

hi annielen sorry to hear your having a hard time at moment the waiting truely is the worst thing for most of us hope you get your results soon my lump appeared lots bigger after the core biopsy i then went on to have another type of biopsy as the results were inconclusive not sleeping doesnt help either as i know i hope you get your results soon and will keep everything crossed for you sending you big hugs i have six procedures from beggining to end and sasha is right i have never been given results over phone.
mini 20 sorry to hear yours was’nt good news but the ladies on here are brilliant at giving advise and helping you through it i know its been a considerable help to me in the last three months hugs to you to
xx karen