A few months ago I noticed a small indent in my right breast, we were in the middle of moving house so it kind of got forgotten but recently I saw the indent had got bigger and the area was flat (it’s on top of my breast). I’m also getting pain, like a sharp ache in the area of the indent.
I saw a consultant under BUPA last night and he could feel a ‘thickening’ as well as the indent.
I’m 38 so mammogram is no use so he’s referred me for an ultrasound & biopsy which is booked for next week - he said that sometimes these things don’t always show up well on an US to do a biopsy so he will do a ‘clinical’ biopsy if they can’t.
This totally threw me! I was utterly convinced it would be ‘oh that’s nothing to worry about but we’ll scan it to be sure’, at no point was I expecting talk of biopsies and his insistence that one was taken somehow.
He said it was good there were no lumps but didn’t tell me not to worry or that he thought it was nothing nasty. He also seemed very interested that I’ve been on HRT for 10 years since a hysterectomy at 28, of course I’ve since googled it (silly I know) and found a lot of evidence to suggest long term HRT use increases BC risk!!!
How does everyone cope with the waiting? My sleep is terrible & it’s all I can think about - I have Bipolar so the last thing I need is this pushing me into a crisis ?
Most clinics operate on a “one stop shop” basis, so it seems a bit unusual that he has had to refer you for further diagnostic assessment. I can understand why you would be worried, as there seems to be a contradicition on what his assessment has been, i.e. if thre is no lump, what is the biopsy for?
If it were me I would ring his secretary at the hospital and ask for clarification. You might want to be clear about the questions you are asking, i.e. what is the biopsy for? why havent you been referred for an MRI?
Everyone on here will say that the waiting is the worse, and most times there is nothing to worry about, but that is easier said than done, I hope you get your results quickly.
Thanks for your reply
I know why the US couldn’t be done yesterday as the person needed to do it was stuck at another hospital, I’m having these investigations at my local BUPA under private medical insurance.
From what I’ve read some BCs don’t present as lumps but ‘thickenings’ of the breast tissue so my assumption is that is what he wants biopsy of - please someone correct me if I’m wrong here!!
Nothing was mentioned about MRI and I will keep that in mind for when I see consultant next week, thanks x
Presumably he is talking about taking a biopsy of the thickened area of the breast, however, as Patricia says, do ask about an MRI scan as this is more usual for younger women as it’s more accurate.
Usually everything is done in one appointment at the breast clinic in the NHS & from what I’ve seen here, private arrangements can vary.
Dealing with the anxiety whilst waiting is always the pits, but what can help is, as you have said, is to step away from google as it only creates a whole load of unnecessary anxiety. It can also help to carry on as much as normal & to keep yourself distracted.
Also, do come on here if you need to chat & if you want to talk things through, then there is the helpline - number at the top of this page.