Waiting ! Help what do you think - breast micro calcifications

Have I got breast cancer? Appointments and waiting for test results
1

After a routine mammogram which was 1 year after my last I was asked back for possible further tests.

When I return I was told and shown two áreas of microcalifications. One was a cluster almost centre of left breast and the second was slightly higher almost under armpit In left breast, which looked more like a tree with branches.

It was explained that they were suspicious as they seem to have grown fast and was not there this time last year. They wanted to do biopsy there and then which i couldnt as I had a body building competition that weekend. Therefore Last week Thursday I had two biopsies. The first under the armpit ultrasound assisted biopsy, went fairly smoothly i felt nothing after local anaesthetic.

I then went for the 2nd biopsy which was a vacuum biopsy…… all I can say it was the most painful experience I’ve ever had in my life, the local anaesthetic which I had to have two of didn’t work … I had a seizure which wasn’t surprising (I do have a condition where I do pass out)

 

First question has anyone experienced anaesthetic not working ?

 

After I recovered I was told they had hoped for more samples from the vacuum biopsy but the felt confident they had enough from the ultrasound biopsy. They said they would have a MDT they next day and would call me with a plan of action (what that meant I don’t know)

Anyway the next day I did receive a call and was told they wanted biopsy results which they have asked for urgently before they discuss a plan. They tried to reassure me that didn’t believe I had cancer but of course I’ve done my research.

They said the radiologist has asked for face to face appointment to discuss results and plan I have an appointment 5th December.

 

I believe it’s DCIS due to images I saw and how they were described, ie grown very fast, cluster , it branches, no sign of them last year.

Second question do you think I’m right to expect diagnosis of DCIS ?

 

Finally I’m 53 years young, no history of breast cancer in family and I’m personal trainer who lives a very healthy lifestyle

 

I look forward to your thoughts and advice

 

Thank you

2

Hi,

So sorry you find yourself in this situation and have had such a horrible experience with your biopsy. It is difficult to give you the answers you want as every case is so different. I was recalled after a routine mammogram in July because of calcifications which weren’t on my previous mammogram, although that was three years earlier. The ones in my right breast were DCIS, with a tiny amount of IDC which it was discovered after surgery was actually removed during the first vacuum biopsy I had. That biopsy was done by mammogram and although uncomfortable it was ok. I had to have a MRI guided vacuum biopsy on my left breast and that was awful, the local anaesthetic did eventually work but it took several injections. Although the surgeon and radiographers were convinced DCIS would be discovered in that breast too it turned out to just be a benign lesion.  This shows it is impossible to guess what the outcome of a biopsy will be until you get the results.

I know 5th December will seem like an age away, waiting for results and impossibly trying to predict what they will be is so stressful. Do whatever you can to take your mind off it and try to live as normally as you can. Although I am not as fit as you must be as a personal trainer, I am a keen cyclist and I did find going to the gym and cycling helped when I waiting for my appointments and results. It helped to make me tired enough to sleep at night so I wasn’t lying awake overthinking everything. I just tried to keep as busy as I could to help the days to pass.

 I hope you get good news on the 5th, let us know how you get on xx