Waiting for biopsy results - nervous wreck

[str40]

Hi everyone- I am new to this forum but have found reading others posts really helpful.

I have just turned 40, found a lump a couple of months ago, kept an eye and then went to doctors to get it checked as I could feel it had gotten bigger. Doctor wasn’t concerned but said she’d refer me due to medical history (benign lump removed in 2013 and mum diagnosed with breast cancer age 45 and died age 51).

I knew the drill with going to the breast clinic and insisted my husband didn’t need to come - big mistake!

I had a mammogram, then ultrasound and was in ultrasound room for nearly an hour. Metal tag put on the lump, three biopsies in left breast and three biopsies in left armpit due to enlarged lymph nodes. Bled an awful lot and they had to stop. I then had another mammogram before seeing senior nurse. A week on and I’m still so sore!

All very emotional, my mind was racing as I knew by comparing to 2013 that this was different- I also felt so stupid for not letting husband come!

Senior nurse was lovely, went through everything and told me they are very concerned and basically said to prepare myself and make sure I bring husband to my results appointment. She also gave me contact numbers for the breast nurses which I wasn’t given before.

Family have tried to reassure me but they don’t understand (because they weren’t there) the tone in which the senior nurse said they were very concerned. I can’t get across to them how different this time round was to my 2013 experience, it all just felt so different.

It feels like the medical staff I saw that day all know I have cancer but they can’t/aren’t allowed to tell me that and they need biopsy results to confirm and consultant is the only one who can tell me results.

My appointment is this Thursday and I’ve spent every night on here or watching TikTok videos in preparation.

I’ve been on my NHS app to see if results come on there because I just want to know, but all I’ve seen is a letter following my appointment. In that letter it states that left breast is suspicious for carcinoma. There is an ill defined hypochoic lesion measuring 6mm, there is underlying increased density and that there is calcification in right breast which MDT will need to discuss and might need further investigation. There are also multiple lymph nodes with thickened cortex. I’m glad I’ve see that letter because the senior nurse mentioned calcification but I think where I was in shock I didn’t realise this was in my right breast.

Weirdly, I think that being told it is and knowing there is a plan for it will get me back on track. It’s just the waiting that’s messing with my head.

Anyway, Thank you for reading, I guess I just needed to get this all off my chest and share it with people who have been through it and understand.

[Tigress]

Hi @str40 I too went to my callback biopsy appointment on my own and was told there and then that I had breast cancer, but the biopsy would confirm what type. So, I had some certainty prior to the results appointment which, reading the torture so many go through waiting for results, meant I could (relatively) calmly prepare myself for what was to come. There’s always a teeny, tiny part of you that thinks and hopes there’s been a mistake and my family tried to big that up even though I knew. Once I knew the treatment plan it was head down and get this done. I was diagnosed in July 2022 when the NHS was still trying to recover after Covid and I ended up having various parts of treatment in six different hospitals over two health authorities - the clinical care was excellent, the admin diabolical. Three and a half years later, I’m back to my old self with no evidence of disease. It’s all doable, you just need to get started. Do keep us updated and know we’re here if you need a bit of support.

[Nurse_BCN]

Hi str40,

Thanks for posting. It’s understandable you are feeling nervous waiting for your biopsy results particularly when the senior nurse has said they are concerned. As @tigress has responded, sometimes even before biopsy results are available an area can look suspicious for breast cancer on imaging, such as a mammogram and ultrasound.

You say that you are still sore following your biopsies. This is to be expected as well as bruising to the area. You may find wearing a supportive bra and taking pain relief helpful. The soreness should settle down over the next couple of weeks.

It can be difficult when family are trying to reassure you, but you have been through the process of having investigations and been told the area is of concern. Hopefully once you have all of your results, they will be there to support you.

From your correspondence on the NHS app it sounds as though the area in your left breast is suspicious for breast cancer, and the area of calcification in your right breast may need further investigation. Further information and a treatment plan should be communicated to you at your appointment on Thursday. You mention that you have been given contact details for the breast care nurses. Breast care nurses are there to support you, and help you understand your results.

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 additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.

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Best wishes,

Carolyn

Breast Care Nurse

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