I’m having a stereo mammogram with a vacumn assisted biopsy in 10 days. I watched a youtube video and it looks absolutely terrifying! I had core needle biopsies before. Has anyone else had one? Why do i need this instead of a normal biopsy?
I wasn’t scared at all until I saw the video. Nobody seems to be telling me why this is needed 8 months after diagnosis and after 3 surgeries. I tried searching it online but it seems fairly atypical and there were only a few descriptions of the process.
My nurse said it was because the ultrasound didnt show it up but theyve know about it for 8 months. I feel like I’m riddled with cancer now.
Is there no other option? Will it hurt?
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Hello,
I’m sorry that you’re having to go through all this worry.
I had a vacuum assisted stereotactic biopsy last Wednesday, and like you I watched a video on it, and it looked horrendous. However, I found the reality much better than I thought I would.
I had to lay down on my side whilst my breast was put in the mammogram, numbed and then biopsied. The anaesthetic stung a little, I had a mild bit of pain when they took the samples on occasion and when they put pressure on the wound, but it wasn’t anything bad. I tilted my head up so I didn’t have to see what was going on. I had to hold my other breast out of the way but I guess it depends where on your breast they’re doing the biopsy, whether you’ll have to do that. After the biopsy, they put pressure on the area for around 15mins. Mine was done because I have 6cms of suspicious microcalcifications on the upper inner quadrant. I didn’t have to take any pain relief afterwards and I only had a bruise the size of a 10p. I took the last of my dressings off yesterday.
Hope this helps put your mind at ease a bit. X
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Hi @bluesatsuma
I had the vacuum assisted stereotactic biopsy too. I had no idea I was having it so didnt have time to google it. They took 6 biopsies and added a marker. I was put on an adjustable bed lying flat and over on my side with my right boob in the mammogram. I had no pain and everything was explained to me as theu were doing it. The only discomfort I had was when they were pressing it after to stop the bleeding, but honestly I didnt find it too bad.
I had to have it as mine was DCIS and there was no lump.
Will be thinking of you.
Sending love and hugs to you 
xx
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Thank you @leverteenie. That helps a lot. I sincerely hope you get good results super fast. I’m not really sure why I’m having mine. It’s off the back of a mammogram from 8 months ago that they’ve decided needs a further look. The video looked scary, and there is very little online about this. Ive already had 3 surgeries since my earlier mammogram to remove cancer, so I’m now worried there might be more and I’ll be back to square one.
Good luck with your results. The waiting is always stressful. But hopefully not too long. X
Thanks @tracy1. I think I just have got myself in a tizz because I thought all the diagnostic stuff was over. This area was there 8 months ago so should really have been biopsied then. I don’t know what it is or where it is. I don’t know why they’re concerned. They just said the radiologist wanted to biopsy an area that was supposed to have been checked on the December tests. They said it was asymmetrical. Who knows?
But I do feel reassured that I’m not the only one who had this test and that it wasn’t as bad as my idiot brain has decided.
Hope your radiotherapy is going well.
X
Bless you @bluesatsuma I can totally understand why you are feeling like this, you’ve been through enough already and just want to move forward with your treatment plan.
The radiotherapy is going ok, had my third session today. It’s tiring as im still working from home, but apart from that so far so good xx
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I did, however, get my oncology appointment today! 5th August! Progress x
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I’m glad it’s helped you feel a little less anxious about the procedure. I slept so well the night of the biopsy, as I’d got myself all wound up about the procedure and I needn’t of. It must all feel never ending for you.
I have a f2f appointment on Friday afternoon to get the results. X
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I had one a couple of weeks ago. They had already found the IDC and did pump biopsy, (think that’s what it’s called) but the next day they called to say they had looked again at the original
Mammogram and saw some calcifications on both breasts so I needed the stereotactic mammogram on both sides. As the others have said, it was fine - I took a while to stop bleeding on one side but that was because they went in on the site of the original biopsy that hadn’t healed.
Unfortunately the calcifications were DCIS so double mastectomy on Thursday.
Don’t worry about the procedure though, it was fine.
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Thank you @lynnc123, fast results wow! But I’m sorry to hear about your results. Thankfully they caught it before it became invasive. I hope the masectomy goes well and wish you a speedy recovery. Thanks also to you @leverteenie. I hope the f2f is good news. Please let us know. X
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Thank you. Things went pretty quick I think because we had private healthcare. I did have the option of diep reconstruction but that would be a nine week wait, or at least six for implants. I’m a mess as it is so went for the operation first.
Hope all goes well with you xx
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@lynnc123 try not to worry too much about the surgery. I’ve had 3 since xmas and they’ve been positive experiences. I’d have done same about getting the masectomy done first, worry about the reconstruction later. Hope all goes very well xxx
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Thats good news @bluesatsuma … mine moved really fast after I saw the oncologist xx
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@bluesatsuma
Oh my what a horrible time you are truly having
Would talking to a nurse on here or getting in touch with the someone like me service help alleviate your worries?
I know watching videos can help you understand whats coming but they can scare the pants off you too
I haven’t experienced this procedure but wish all of you gorgeous ladies all the very best with ongoing treatments xx
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Hi @Curlywurly1. When i talk to professionals about it all they agree with me about the timescales, but it just makes me feel more like I’m being left behind. I feel like the person in a big group in a restaurant whose meal is forgotten and then brought out when everyone else wants to leave. Sounds silly as this is just another obstacle to overcome. I tried someone like me…there was no-one like me. Now ive got an oncology appointment, maybe there’ll be progress. Hope youre doing well @Curlywurly1. Xxx
Hi @bluesatsuma
Thank you for your post.
It sounds like a stressful time for you and understandable that you feel worried. We do have information on vacuum assisted biopsies which you may find helpful to read. As @leverteenie and @tracy1 say, the procedure will be explained to you so that you are aware of what to expect and any questions you have can be discussed with the radiology team.
We would suggest you speak to your breast care nurse or treatment team about why you are having this instead of another type of breast biopsy. . They can also tell you if there is an alternative option available.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in and may find helpful. Although not always possible our someone like me team will try their best to match you with another individual who has been through a similar experience which could be through a similar diagnosis or treatment.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK - prefix 18001).
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Best wishes
Sonia
Breast Care Nurse
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