Incidental discovery and fear of mammo guided core biopsy

[littlemy1]

Hi (smiley face force of habit really not relevant today) I had an appointment at the breast clinic today after my one nipple had become inverted. After surviving the mammograms - and ultra sound, it turned out that the nipple inversion was duct ecstasia but that they’d made an incidental discovery of microcalcification that was a concern and I needed a biopsy. While they would normally have done this in one day, because they needed to do the biopsy with the mammogram Machine and due to being in use I was made an appointment for a week from today. I was gutted for loads of reasons obviously and a bit freaked, but also I have to get 2 buses for an hour and a half - loads of stressing and melting down time (even today I accidentally took 3 paravetemol because I was so stressed!) I had actually been more concerned about the mammogram than anything else before my appointment, now I know what’s involved with this type of biopsy I’m Terrified. It sounds like torture - I’m worried I’ll faint or vomit or both but of course it’s worrying what the results will be. It sounds stupid but I already felt the consultant was looking g at me like she already felt sorry for me and like something horrible was coming. I don’t know how I’m going to mentally last the week till the biopsy then the week till the results. Even typing about it my heart’s racing. I don’t even know what I expect posting on here really. Maybe it’s because I don’t tend to talk more than I have to about it to family and friends and I definitely don’t show I’m struggling if I can help it but I am - already. I just feel like I’m a state of head fog. I’ve heard some of these mammogram biopsies are done with you lying face down. I don’t think I could handle that. I’m

Just terrified I’ll get to the clinic next week and run back out again. Sorry for the waffle.

[Seagulls]

I am not surprised you feel bad. The whole experience of going to a breast clinic is charged with emotion. So pat yourself on the back for surviving it and the embarassment of it all. It really is an excrutiatingly painful experience. I hope this post won’t make you feel worse but I have survived for over 20 years since my first diagnosis in 2003, and there is no sign of me departing yet. Breast cancer is a very very variable disease so try and keep an open mind. Also get whatever support you can get from your friends, your boss or any help lines you can. MacMillan cancer, Breast Cancer Now or any people you know at work etc.

Having had breast cancer twice once in my late 40s and then again at 67, I can now drop my top in about five seconds flat! One hospital I went to made me stand naked from the waist up and have photos taken of my bosoms. I am not sure why or what has become of them but I am pretty sure the photographers were men. That was at Barts Hospital London in 2003 so I hope they don’t do that now!

I survived and I hope you will too. Good luck! You are not alone - Seagulls

[Seagulls]

By the way welcome to the forums and I hope you find support and kindness here.

Seagulls

[mrsjelly]

Like you I had to return for the mammogram guided biopsies.

The staff were extremely kind and explained everything that they were doing. Took their time preparing me and getting me into the correct position. The initial injection of local anaesthetic smarted for a second as you would expect with any injection and then it was a breeze. Surreal experience but it was okay.

I made the decision to keep it between myself and my husband as I didn’t want to have to be dealing with questions from family and friends. It was enough to be dealing with my own wandering thoughts…

It’s frightening but you can do it and get through it. We are stronger than we ever thought we could be. X

[littlemy1]

Thank you and I’m sorry you’ve been through so much. Thank you for being so kind, I always feel like, am I being a drama queen? Being a female dealing with other health stuff on the nhs I’ve felt invalidated so many times as I know so many others have I’m sure. I think that’s another reason for the head blur. I just expect that at every turn! And because I’d drummed “probable drama queen” into my head I hadn’t expected it to go as it did. I even felt dramatic and silly coming to a forum so thank you for making me feel like I’m not x

[littlemy1]

Thank you I’m worried about the anxiety getting me before anything else does! Thanks for sharing the experience because I’ve stupidly googled and been on Reddit and of course lots of horror stories. Do you mind me asking how long it took? I read somewhere 90 minutes and that horrified me! I’m rubbish at this stuff as it is, to this day I go woozy at blood tests even though I’ve had a million! I’m off work this week so loads of not necessarily great thinking time - any time I take annual leave it’s cursed I may not bother in future it really feels nice to talk this stuff out. I’m no good at it usually!x

[countrygirl10]

Hi

I had my Biopsy the same day of my call back appointment but as they did not have the equipment available at the time I had to come back a few hours later, or make it another day so I went to a local cafe to wait and have it done same day.

I did not feel any pain from them taking the biopsy as the anaesthetic they gave me was very affective, but being held in place by mammogram equipment was uncomfortable but bearable and they said it would only take about 20 minutes I think more 30 minutes.

I hope it goes well for you and you have a good outcome.

xx

[sam1204]

Welcome to the forum @littlemy1. I had exactly the same mammo guided biopsy as you’re describing back in September (then followed by a single mastectomy and now on chemo but prognosis is excellent and I’m 56 with HER2+ BC). I won’t lie it wasn’t great but it was bearable and the nurses were great. They will help you and the local anaesthetic does help. Mine took about 15 mins and once I was in position (on my side clamped in the plates) I just had to lie still. If you can practice some deep breathing I think it will help when you get there. Make sure when they’re finished they properly dress the injection point as mine bled later and I had to go to a walk in unit to have it redressed. But overall it wasn’t as bad as you’re probably imagining. Stay strong - you’re already doing amazing just by going for the damned tests!

[Jaygo]

Hi @littlemy1 Sorry you’re going through this, and also just take a moment to recognise you are doing the right thing despite the emotional impact it is having on you. You are not alone, it is a stressful thing to think about.

First of all, you are NOT a drama queen, so please don’t ever think that about yourself. You are vigilant and willing to face something head on. That’s not dramatising, it is courage. So many people would bury their heads in the sand.

As for the procedure, it is not particularly comfortable depending on where it is, but there is minimal pain. I’ve had two of these having had cancer twice. They will numb you first, so the injection will sting for a few seconds. Then you won’t feel any pain, just a bit of pressure potentially as they perform the procedure. They will explain everything they are doing to you so that you can anticipate what is coming, and they will allow you to stop if you need a breather. They are so kind, caring and supportive and their kindness really helps the process to feel a lot easier.

They will offer you paracetamol afterwards. Once done, plan a nice relaxing evening, and if you are one to enjoy a glass of something, then they do not consider this to be out of bounds (I asked!). You might feel a tiny bit bruised for a day or so after, but again paracetamol does the trick.

Total time might be nearer 60-90 minutes BUT this is because you will probably have a chat with a breast nurse first, then the procedure is around 20 mins, then you sit in the lounge for a little while after just to make sure you feel ok, and a breast nurse will chat to you again about stuff.

Nothing will take away the anxiety of the wait post-procedure but keeping as busy as possible to divert the brain will help minimise it, as does talking to us on here if you want to. I spent hours doing Scrabble on my phone.

You will get through it and you will deserve whatever treat you choose to give yourself as a reward. Keep focused on that. XXX

[Seagulls]

I was surprised there was no pain with my core biopsies in 2022, as fine needle aspiration was much more painful (which I had for my first misdiagnosis). They give more tissue so are far more accurate too. Well that’s my theory.

seagulls

[littlemy1]

Thank you everyone’s been so kind on here it’s actually made me feel a bit emotional! I think you’re right, keeping busy is what I need to do. I’m on annual leave from work so don’t have that distraction so I’m going to buy myself something fancy from Lush, it has to beat obsessing because that’s all I’m doing and every now and then I get like a flush of feeling head to toe anxiety and I have to steady myself for a moment. I had such a crappy 2025 and I think I jinxed it when I yayed at it being over. 2026 is worse already and we’re not even in March. I was being ridiculously ill with norovirus when it struck 12. I knew it was an omen! Sorry I’m waffling. I keep doing that. Thank you again for the insight. I can’t believe how much it’s helping being able to speak to people who understand and not family and friends who, while supportive, just don’t x

[Jaygo]

@littlemy1 just keep talking here. We get it. No-one gets it like we do. Your year may be starting shit, but we will all work together towards a goal of ending it well. xxx

[littlemy1]

It really helps so much. I caught up with my best mate today and it was great to talk about some other stuff and I almost forgot for a little while (she’s also booking the day off to come with me when I have to go for my results ). And why is it everything I read or watch has some story with C in it I guess that’s why re-watching Girl on the train was strangely comforting!, the storyline may be dark but it’s C free!

[Seagulls]

A little light retail therapy should do the trick

[littlemy1]

I was wondering is anyone’s had a sedative before having a biopsy done? I’m really worried the anxiety is going to get the better of me and I don’t want to be sick or faint or make the whole experience any longer than it has to be. I’m guessing the breast clinics themselves couldn’t give you anything like that it would be a gp? I hate the thought but I’ve read it in a few places. I’m only small though and I’m worried any dose would knock me out!

[littlemy1]

It did altho mostly sensible stuff like comfy joggers for the day and soft bras. I really know how to party! I’m scare to go out again though before my appointment as my new thing is leaving things everywhere. My phone being the worst and I’m usually so careful!

[Seagulls]

dear little me,

why don’t you talk to your GP and see if they can give you some kind of sedative? I was scared of dentists for years and finally got a few tablets of some kind of tranquilliser that helped me get through it. I am no longer scared of dentists so it worked! Or could someone come with you to give you moral support.

Seagulls

[littlemy1]

I think I might do that. I just don’t want to be a state on the bus home it’s a long ride, I don’t want people looking at me like I’ve been in the pub all day or something! It’s getting past the Spanish Inquisition otherwise known as the receptionists or “care navigators” as they call themselves!

[littlemy1]

Biopsy day Didn’t sleep all that well but maybe being tired will be better! The knots in my stomach weren’t there when I woke up so much but they are now. Trying to think how this time tomorrow I’ll be sore but it will be over. Then it’s just the waiting.

[Jaygo]

Thinking of you @littlemy1. The team are so very kind and supportive that they will help to make this as easy as possible. Focus on doing deep breathing to keep yourself as calm. as you can. I try and close my eyes, breathe and imagine something really soothing like gentle waves on a beach to help me relax.

Let us know how you get on. We’re all there with you in spirit. xxx