Having a cold for biopsy

Hi- I have been waiting for my biopsies for a month and they are coming up on Wednesday. If I reschedule, it will be weeks or months before I can get it done. My kids had a cold and I might be getting one too. Can I do my biopsies with a cold? I really don’t want to wait for many reasons- including that my mom had an awful breast cancer that was aggressive. Waiting seems dangerous to me.

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Dear Flowermama,

Happy Sunday, I think if this were me I would go along for the biopsy next Wednesday, you still have a few days to go, hopefully it will get better, you could wear a mask?

Let hope all goes well, wish you health and happiness going forward.

With lots of love Tili :pray::rainbow::pray::rainbow:

Hi flowermama

I understand your dilemma…you’ve waited which for most is the worse part of all this, and you want and need to know the next part.

My only comment in addition to @Tili is please be considerate to others, especially if you are visiting a cancer clinic, there may be some more vulnerable than others. Perhaps reassess on the day, or give them a ring before attending.

Best wishes x

oh thank you. yes- will mask up no matter what (even if feeling better) since our little family shared this one with each other.

yes- definitely don’t want to put someone at risk. will call if i do get sick to ensure a mask is sufficient

Hi flower mama
Whilst I understand you’re anxious not to pass on germs I wanted to let you know that I had biopsies done by a radiographer who had a dreadful cold
Someone I know had Covid and still had radiotherapy so if I were you I wouldn’t think twice. Just go and get it done.

Take care
Lynn

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Hello @flowermama

I understand your need to get this done but just to make the following points . Firstly if you get cancelled on Wednesday it doesn’t mean that you will then have a long wait as they would probably try to get you in sooner. At present you are not feeling too bad so maybe you won’t develop a cold or only a mild one which would probably be ok - many people have them at this time of year anyway. @Tili’s idea of wearing a mask is a good one .

If it does turn into a cold it might be a good idea to do a COVID test as if you either ring up or turn up for your appointment visibly unwell they may ask if you’ve done one and if you have and you’re negative they may be happier than if you don’t know.

If you get a heavy cold they might want to cancel you because as well as the infection risk you need to be able to keep very still during the procedure and if you’re coughing and or sneezing you might not be able to do that. If you were to move at the wrong time it could make it harder for them to get accurate biopsies or might result in them trying multiple times - not comfortable for you and a risk of a haematoma forming and possibly having to go back for more biopsies.

Have you checked your letter for any instructions ? COVID tests are not asked for now but it may say something about being unwell - they may have a policy to follow .

I pressed the reply button by accident - just to say that I hope that you get your procedure done and that all goes well. They’re a lot less strict now about cold symptoms so my hunch is that you’ll be ok whatever but bad colds are miserable so I hope you don’t get one xx

Thank you. I asked a friend who did a biopsy at the same clinic and she said so long as you don’t have a fever or throwing up, they ask you to mask up, but I’ll call tomorrow

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thank you - I did the test as soon as you said this and its negative. really good idea. I’ll call tomorrow to be sure I’m good.

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I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you xx

Hello flowermama

Thank you for your post. Hopefully your symptoms will not develop into anything more serious and your appointment will go ahead on Wednesday.

As you said in your last post, give the clinic a call and see what they say. As @JoanneN and your friend have said if it turns out to be a heavy cold with a raised temperature, they may wish to cancel you but will hopefully get you rebooked very quickly.

The NHS website recommends that if you have a common cold and develop a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better, but the clinic will be able to advise you further.

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Best wishes

Rosey

Breast Care Nurse

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