I am brand new to this forum. I went to the BCC on Monday after finding a lump. They gave me 2 mammograms (one with a titanium thing injected) and two ultrasounds. The nurse specialist sat me down after the biopsy and said things like"I want to be completely honest, it is very very like it is cancer" its enclosed, loads of treatment options. Get your hormaonal coil removed asap.
Has anyone experienced being told you are likely to have BC before the biopsy results. I dont think they would say that if they weren’t sure.
I get my results on Tuesday 27th, which is very quick.
Hello. Sorry to hear you have had the awful experience.
My radiologist told me after mammogram and ultrasound that it was cancer - the consultant wrote in the letter to my GP that although the biopsy results were not back (they did them that day) I had been told it would come back as cancer.
Although the worst news you want to hear, this is the start of treatment that will remove the cancer and hopefully quickly give you answers xx
My first biopsy results took a week, and a bit longer for HER2 results.
So sorry that you find yourself here. I found a lump in April and like you, was referred to the breast clinic. I had the mammogram and ultrasound and they took some biopsies; I asked the radiographer if that meant it was bad and she told me it didn’t look good, but it was very treatable. I then saw the consultant and he said that although they couldnt be certain without the test results, they were pretty sure we were dealing with cancer. I was completely floored. Like you, I thought surely they wouldnt say that if they werent sure?
In my case, it turned out they were right and I had stage 2 grade 2 IDC. Ive had two surgeries now and Im due to start chemotherapy on 5 September. I know you will feel shellshocked right now but please be assured that there are fantastic treatments available to us and we WILL get through it.
I am sorry you find yourself faced with this news. Mammogram images and images from ultrasound are graded according to how much like cancer they look so the medical team do have a very good idea of what they are looking at. At my appointment I was advised it was likely to be cancer and indeed it was. Of course they don’t have certainty until the biopsy is analysed but giving you advance warning does give you a chance to process the possibility before going for your results. I found it helped - I wasn’t shocked when I went for the results so was able to absorb what they said. It also gave me a chance to investigate the different types of breast cancer and the treatment pathways, which also helped. Wishing you all the best.
@picklesfc I was told it was cancer on my very first clinic visit, straight after they had done the biospies. I asked if there was any chance that it could come back as not cancer and he replied that if it did then they would assume they hadn’t caught the cancer, would redo the biospsies etc, and that looking at the scans, feel of it etc, there was no question about the diagnosis. They were right.
It’s quite usual now to be told this as the imaging resolution is so good. I was called back from a routine mammogram over two years ago and after the second mammo and ultrasound, I was lying on the bed whilst the radiographer was taking the biopsy and said that my mother had had a blocked milk duct in the past, perhaps it was that? No, it’s cancer was the reply, the biopsy will tell us what kind. Whilst this was going on the breast cancer nurse was holding my hands and said “don’t worry, we’re going to fix this”. And they did, now cancer-free. So youre gonna be ok.
Hi @picklesfc
I know it’s scary when told lots of things go through your mind , I think it’s better to be forewarned , you have the forum and the helpline if you need to talk or vent
Take someone with you when you have your next appointment for full results
As you can’t always take every thing in your self good luck xx
Sorry to find you here and to echo what the others have said , at the end of my second screening after a breast exam by the the BCN 2 mammograms an ultrasound scan of my breast and lymph nodes and a biopsy I went back in to see the BCN and she told me that it was almost certainly cancer. Her words which are engraved on my memory were " I apologize in advance if this turns out to be one of the many rare benign breast conditions out there but the appearance of this lump is worrying and I’m sorry but we think this is a tiny cancer " . My lump was tiny - I had a meeting with the Radiologist earlier this year to resolve some lingering questions and I was shown the original films and I really don’t know how they ever saw it in the first place it is really surprising what they can tell and I’m sorry but you are correct they would not have told you unless they are sure .
They have asked you to get your coil removed as there is a possibility that a cancer could be using the hormone it contains to grow as the most common breast cancers feed on the hormones estrogen and progesterone .
I also was given my results within a week , I think that’s common . It’s an awful lot to get your head around and it’s actually easier once you know what you’re dealing with and have a plan. What you need to try tohang onto in the meantime is that in the overwhelming majority of cases the prognosis is extremely good .
Make some notes of questions you want to ask and take them with you to your appointment if you can and make sure you get answers to those questions . You might want to have someone else with you. Let us know how you get on - we are always here .
Thank you all for your kind messages. My friend was with me when they informed me.
I didn’t digest alot of what the nurse was saying, but my friend relayed it to me and basically said they are confident of what it is.
The health team were amazing and I cannot fault them.
I was just so shocked to be told, however it has given me the time to come to terms with what was said.
I was shocked I was given another mammogram after the biopsy and another ultrasound. However that might me normal. This is the first time I have been through this.
Like probably everyone, I want my results day to hurry up to see what I am dealing with.
You are welcome and yes everyone feels the same . I’m glad that your friend was able to keep her wits about her and relay it all to you. The value of a good sensible friend you can spill over to and lean on at times like these is truly priceless .
I had a repeat mammogram after the biopsy as well - I think it’s to check that they have managed to biopsy from the correct place . I didn’t have another ultrasound however my lump appeared smaller on that than it did on the mammogram so they may have thought there wasn’t much point redoing it. Xx
Hi, I think they only say this if they are fairly sure it’s cancer before the biopsy results come back, it was the same with me. In a way it prepares you for the bad news & then you’re ready for whatever treatment you are going to have & it may not be as bad as you’re thinking. All the best.
Hi, I’m sorry you find yourself here , but on the same note this is a wonderful forum and you’ll get lots of support and advice x
I went to the BC on 23rd July and was told straight away it was most likely cancer , there was no visible tumour but my left breast was riddled with micro calcifications.
Results on 8th August confirmed it and I’m back today for results of further biopsies and my treatment plan .
Thank you. I was told I have BC and its grade 2. However they caught it early, which is good news. Due to my age, I think I have to get a genetic test and then explore surgical options. After that they will decide if its chemo or radiotherapy.
It’s a huge blow. Especially as they have told me it has to be two years before I consider starting a family.
Hi there, I was called back to the assessment centre after a general mammogram. There I had an ultrasound and was sat down and told that they were 99 per cent sure it was cancer and told me I would be invited back for a biopsy. I went for the biopsy after another two mammograms and was invited back for a further biopsy due to calcification. I was then asked if I would go for a further biopsy rather than a masectomy which I agreed and at this point was on 11 mammograms. They still couldn’t determine if the calcification was also cancer so I opted for two lumpectomies and a sentinel node biopsy. I have been on letrozole now for almost two months and have my appointment in two days to meet my oncologist and to arrange to start radiotherapy. In short I just think the teams are so experienced they just know. They were spot on with me. Throughout the journey I have felt so supported by the nurses so try not to worry too much all questions can be answered. Keep your chin up and I wish you all the best x
Hi, yes I was told the same thing on my biopsy day, turned out I did have breast cancer and 2 Lyon nodes infected.
I’ve had my lumpectomy with mamoplasty and lymph nodes removed about 8 wks now, was told only radiotherapy but after results looks like I will have to have chemotherapy too
Hope this helps stay stron, you will get through this x
Hello and sorry to see you are on this forumn. However its very supportive and there is a lot lovely people you can speak to.
Im 33 and got diagnosed in June. Im on my 3rd round of chemo next week mine is her2 positive not hormonal.
I noticed you mentioned about starting a family on one of the comments so im guessing your fairly young. I just wanted to reach out to you as it can be quite daunting and i didnt find many young women similar age to me. Any questions feel free to ask. Jemma
the biopsy will tell us what kind. Whilst this was going on the breast cancer nurse was holding my hands and said “don’t worry, we’re going to fix this”. And they did, now cancer-free. So youre gonna be ok.