Hi,new on hear. Don’t know if anyone has had same experience as me. I had mammogram and ultrasound Tuesday. The dr
took core needle biopsy of my right breast lump that i had and underarm lymph nodes (which really hurt). i was told the same day that I would have appointment next Friday for results and to discuss a “treatment plan”. But I was told this before the biopsy result? Does that mean I definately have breast cancer then? Has any one been told this as I have.
Really worried and fearing the worst. I am also worried about breast cancer spreading…i have felt uncomfortable feeling under my right breast on my ribs… Can anyone tell me if they had any symptoms with regards to secondary liver cancer. I had to wait 7 weeks to get appointment at breast clinic and now another 10 days for result of biopsy. The waiting is awful. I feel in a state of shock.
HiScarlet67
I’m sorry to read that you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk to a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Scarlet67…i believe that experienced doctors doing ultrasound and biopsies can be fairly confident about some potential results. From memory (18 months ago) they tick a box following procedures indicating likelihood of bc or not. However, only the path results and then, if it is bc, results from any surgery and other tests are pretty conclusive.
The waiting is indeed horrible, and once you have a treatment plan (if you need one) in place you will feel more in control. It’s that not knowing, mind in overdrive that’s hard. I won’t tell you not to worry because you will! Don’t google, just stick to trusted sites like this one, MacMillan and Cancer Research where you will find resources that will answer all your questions (and many you’d never thought of!).
Whatever your results you will get personalised treatment (if you need it) which you will get through, and emerge the other side. Take care and good wishes for results day…remember to take someone with you who can take notes/prompt questions as it will probably be a bit of a blur! X
Hi,
i was told before my results that the lump was highly suspicious, so when I went for results of biopsy I wasn’t surprised to be told that it was cancer. You won’t get the pathology until the lump is removed, it was only then that I found out the size and er status and to confirm it wasn’t in my nodes. I then got an appointment for oncology. I do believe some people are different.
good luck x
good advice to take someone with you… two ears are better than one (ok, 4 are better than 2)
I kind of knew from the reactions before the official diagnosis… Being in “the waiting room” is the worst part of this journey… horrid… once you know what you are dealing with (if anything) you can begin to get your head round it. Use your breast care nurses - ours were fantastic for being able to say how you feel, or giving information, or finding out things…
The hardest thing, but useful thing, is to try to stay in today. To focus on what is in front of you, and drag your thoughts back from “what if…” to the here and now… I know it’s hard, but in the end, it does help…
Many of us are still lurking around the site from “the other side of the journey” to encourage you that it is do-able… whatever faces you… COming on here and sharing the ups and the downs, the fears and the laughs is always helpful too…
Jane
HI Scarlet67, the same happened to me i went for mammogram 16th may and biop 17th was told at biopsy well told my oh really that it was bc and id have grade results on 24th. I phoned bcc to ask how they could diagnose without biop results and she said due to experience and they like to prepare you so not as big a shock when you go back. Was all comnfirmed on 24th may when consultant said im sorry its bc i felt like screaming “i already Know that, been goiung crazy for a week”, but i didnt! The waiting is awful and i know you imagine it spreading everywhere i do all of the time, especially as i know i have lymph node involvement, but i have been assured by bcc and surgeon that it dosent happen like that, i did panick because after biop lump got bigger but was told that was normal. Had lumpectomy and all lymph removed 17th june and home with drain now. Results of spread 1st july , chemo and rad next already told this. All treatment is personal and all your results taken into account.
I made the mistake of googling and then had masive melt down . Dont google and i know now that stuff on there was sometimes incorrect. All i can say is try an keep busy the days do pass but its difficult.
I think the referral time is awful for us all, i opted for op out of area and on general surgical ward where no nurse knew what i could or couldnt do after surgery or i would still be waiting for op on breast care ward. Hang on in there things might be ok for you and there is so much support on here. Try and take your mind of it now and then. Wines good!!! Thinking of you x
I was the same as you. In December 2012 I had the mammogram, ultrasound and core biopsy one after the other. The lady that did the ultrasound was a Consultant Radiologist. She told me straight that my lump was “suspicious” and definitely not benign. She also told me it was small. The breast care nurse then made me an appointment for the following week to get the biopsy results and an initial treatment plan. So I knew I had cancer there and then, but had to wait a week for more details about the grade and other details of the tumour.
I know how you are feeling, we all do, and it is awful. However, this will pass, I promise you. I wish you luck at your next appointment, and totally agree you must take someone with you. Whatever is said to you will go in one ear and out the other. You must write down any questions that come to mind, and make sure you get answers. xxx
I know and have been told by others that sometimes its better to think the worse so you wont be as shocked when you get bad news. However, sometimes it isnt bad news. I had breast cancer diagnosed in my left breast last year and following an MRI (due to having Lobular) I was told that I had three suspicious areas in the right breast. I had a further diagnostic mammogram, an ultrasound, which had the consultant telling me that the areas looked very suspicious which meant taking the decision to do core biopsy on all three.
I had to wait 2 weeks to find out the results and as they gave me a CT scan during the waiting period I had convinced myself that I had cancer in both breasts. I was gobsmacked when the consultant told me that I didnt and that all three areas were benign.
So there is always hope so try and put things to the back of your mind (I know its hard) and go out and enjoy yourself until D-Day. xxxx
I had to wait 13 weeks to get seen at hospital & that was a cancellation not even my own ‘urgent’ appointment. I went alone and before the radiologist took the biopsy, she advised me to phone someone to come up … so I knew before I got the pathology results.
I had a lot of problems with my chest, so having waited soooo long to get to hospital, I was convinced it had spread, however my chest X-ray was clear.
All the best, I hope you get good news.
Dyane
Hi There. I think everything I would have said has been covered above but didn’t just want to read and run. Sending you big hugs to get you through the next 10 days. Take care and let us know how you get on xxx
Many thanks for everyones replies. I can’t believe you waited 13 weeks Dyane. I thought 7 was bad enough. When I went to doctors surgery I was told that it wasn’t a lump at all just “lumpy” breast tissue. So my referral was not urgent. I had quite the shock at breast clinic. The lump was felt straight away. i was shaking when they wanted biopsy of lump but even more so when they wanted biopsy of underarm. Would there be any other reason lymph nodes would show up on ultrasound or is it a given certainty that BC has spread to them if they do show up. I asked doctor what she thought and she held my hand and said “you have an area of great concern” then went on about treatment plans. i was in a state of shock and said “but i have a holiday booked at end of august” . To which she said many people take a break through treatment. at that point my heart sank and i thought to myself Christ i have BC then. Is she right that people take a break throu treatment or would i be putting my health at risk. Needless to say my legs could hardly carry me from the clinic. . Since then - yes unfortunately I have been googling. I have convinced myself it has spread to my liver and bones as I have burning sensation under right breast on My ribs and aching shins and hip bone. What can I expect from next apt. will they be able to tell extent of BC. I sometimes think well I definately have BC then and then sometimes I think oh well you never know they could be wrong. . I am driving myself nuts. Since biopsy my underarm has swollen too…is that normal. Also the lump that I poked about with 50 times a day for 7 weeks feels quite different now? sorry for the long post any advice is greatly appreciated
Kimy I know it’s hard but try and keep calm! It’s so natural to worry and believe me you are not the first and won’t be the last woman on here, to think there’s a spread. After you go back for your results you will probably have to have further scans and tests to determine a treatment plan for you. Take each day as it comes because you have to learn to be very patient. Something I definitely wasn’t before this journey! Sometimes its not known until after an op what further treatment you’ll need so don’t cancel that holiday just yet. Keep busy, go to work, look after the kids, whatever is your normal routine and DON’T GOOGLE!!
You can take ibrupfen to help the bruising and discomfort in your boob and be gentle on yourself xxx
Hugs Emma x
Hi - just to confuse everyone - I tried to register using my phone and used the username KIMY - only I thought it did not work so went to my PC and registered again as scarlet67 - so the reply above from KIMY is actually from me - SCARLET67 - my apologies for confusing anyone.
Again many thanks for everyones support. I will post back when I have my results on Friday - it seems like ages away though. I work at a computer all day and the temptation to google all sorts is just there at my fingers.
Thanks for your advice Emma on bruising - my boob coped quite well with biopsy though - but my underarm - oh so sore and swollen but I will try what you said - and Lols - I will probably try a little wine too! 
Kimy after 8 weeks of waiting I contacted my GP to see if she could push me up the list. She said that that was the waiting list and I would just have to wait my turn, and if I had a problem speak to my MP - honestly. Who would believe it!! Needless to say I will never see her again, nor will any of my family.
My lump was very prominent on my chest wall, you could see it if I stood in front of you with my bra still on. I also had a lot of chest problems at the same time as I was waiting to get seen, so was certain it had spread to my chest but after diagnosis I had a chest x-ray which was clear … and strangely my chest problems went away. You will find that your mind is playing tricks on you because you are so worried (understandably so). Also once you get seen at your clinic IF, and I mean IF, you need treatment you will find that it all happens very quickly. Since diagnosis I have had a great service, shame my GP wasn’t as interested.
BTW despite waiting so long to get seen and being diagnosed with a grade 3 tumour, it hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes. I was very, very lucky.
I hope things go well for you, keep me posted xx
My heart goes out to you the waiting is the worst. Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I had a long wait for a breast clinic appointment when I was referred. After mamogram and ultrsound done at that first appointment the consultant was able to tell me he was fairly certain it was cancer. The biopsies confirmed this a week later. What nobody saw coming was the secondary diagnosis which was only confirmed by scans which showed mets in liver and bones. I had no symptoms at all from the mets so I really don’t think you can tell anything about spread until all the tests are done. Your mind will continute to work overtime and every little lump or bump will be a new worry, that is just human nature. I’m sure you will feel better once you have more answers and have a treatment plan in place if that’s what is needed. I will be thinking about you on Tuesday. Do take someone with you as it is impossible to take everything in when you are so wound up.
Hi Dyane, you must have been pulling you hair out with regards to your GP. my GP too, didn’t really want to refer me to breast clinic. I just sat in front of her until she changed her mind. Mind you she did say to me that, even being referred I may still not get apt. As she put down I had lumpy breast tissue and it would be up to clinic. I am glad now though I insisted as I was right after all. I did write email to welsh assembly because of the referral times and the answer I got was that they try to start treatment (in Wales) 62 days after referral. By time I go Friday for results of biopsy it will be 58 days!!!
The waiting is awful. . Glad to hear your chest is fine and no spread to lymph nodes.
Hi weepixie… Thanks for your reply. I hope you are coping well. It must have been a shock. not sure how i would take news like that. Everyone one this site is so supportive I wonder where you all get the strength. Hope things go well. I have scared myself silly looking online about this and that…as mentioned above…i must stop!
Hi Scarlett/kimy,
I wa sthe same as you- stunned to be given an instant diagnosis. My OH had actually offered to go with me on the day and I said don’t be silly even if I have a biopsy they won’t have the results for a week. I knew the minute the nurse asked if I had anyone with me that it was bad news. Like you I also had holidays booked and when I went back for results of an MRI scan all I wanted to know is if I could go on them. As it is I can’t have my first one as i need another op but am hoping to get the sceond one as it’s my friends wedding in Portugal. Fingers, toes and bra crossed for that. Good luck and remember we are all here to support each other on this rollercoaster of a ride!!
Sam x
Hi Sam - i did not take anyone with me either - what a shock though - like you say - you watch their faces and you know somethings not right. I have to wait until Friday 28th June for results of biopsy. I think what concerns me most is that they took biopsy of my lymph nodes under my arm - the first thing I thought, and have been dwelling on since, is that it has spread. I have been googling away at other reasons why lymph nodes would be swollen - and not making myself feel any better 
. My holiday - it’s a big family holiday thats been in the planning for ages, everyone (son, brothers, nephews etc) all excited. I feel as though I am going to spoil things for them. I just want Friday to come and any surgery to be done in time for me to go. Stupid I know! I think it will be bad news on Friday - but how bad!
Hello I have just been reading these posts as I had a biopsy yesterday. I am just wondering how you got on Scarlett67 I appreciate this post is from 2013 and you may no longer want it access this site