It’s only been a week since I seen my GP and was referred to the breast clinic as a precaution, I’ve had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. The consultant told me that it didn’t look good, I know they wont confirm anything until the biopsy results come back, but I am wondering how much they can tell from the imaging. The consultant and specialist nurse asked if I had any questions, my mind went blank. What questions do other people ask at this stage. The wait is so hard, I’m all over the place emotionally.
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Hi @minahmoo
Sorry you are going through this, the waiting and not knowing is the worst. Mind goes blank and all logic goes out the window. My doctor was quite thorough going over the biopsy results and covered all the basics, that I needed to know initially.
If it is cancer, they should tell you the type of cancer (there are many sub categories with breast cancer), size and grade. Most cancers are surgically removed, however there will be different factors that will determine the process. The type of surgery will depend on size, location and spread. Some have chemo first, some have it afterwards, some have radiotherapy. You should be given an indication of time scales to start treatment, contact numbers and most likely information sheets.
These are probably the most relevant points to begin with, so you could use them as prompts.
Don’t worry if you forget or misunderstand any information, they normally provide very good support. It may help to take someone with you or make notes. When you get home, you might have more questions or need more information. This website or macmillan, are good resources. But whatever you read always discuss your concerns with your medical team.
Best wishes x
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Hi @minahmoo I’m so sorry to hear how you’re feeling. Waiting can be extremely difficult.
Have you spoken to one of our specialist breast care nurses before? They’re here for clinical questions or just to chat things through, and would be really happy to talk to you about the questions you might ask.
There can be a lot of information to take in and people often recommend bringing another person and a notepad to help you go back over the conversation.
Please don’t hesitate to give our nurses a ring with any worries. They can be reached on our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm Saturday.
Thinking of you,
Lucy
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I have just had the same as you but i have my results now. I got diagnosed with breast cancer but which type ive no ide. Im waiting for operation appointment.
I agree it is a lot to take in but dont be afraid to ask questions. Hope you find out soon .
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Hi @minahmoo Im in a similar position as you as I’m also waiting for my biopsy results. After my biopsy I was asked if I had any questions but I didn’t feel like I did at that point. I get my results tomorrow and I feel like I won’t know what questions i want to ask until I know what the results are if you see what I mean. Also I think when you are given results they will also tell you what happens next with regards to treatment so I think there will be lost of information. I kind of need to let the info settle in my head before I ask questions. But there is lots of information on here plus the BCN’s and also you’ll have your own BCN from the hospital so if you think of questions afterwards then they can still be answered. Do you have a date for your results? x
Hi @minahmoo. I feel for you, the waiting is the hardest bit, I hope it’s not too much longer. I was told at the end of the mammogram/Ultrasound/biopsy clinic that mine was cancer then had to wait 2-3 weeks to find out what type and likely treatment after the biopsy had been analysed. The questions I asked were about expected timescales for treatment and recovery and what/when I might be able to do after surgery in terms of exercise.
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Hi minahmoo, sorry you are here. I would encourage you to take someone with you if possible. I went alone as during my ultrasound, they said it didnt look like cancer, but did a biopsy to double check. I went for results feeling positive. I went in to a complete daze when told it was cancer.
They will tell you what treatment is required. It is useful to know what restrictions you will have during and after treatment - lifting, driving, work etc. Write down all your questions before you go. If you take someone, they can record the answers for you.
I am due my second follow up and already have a list of questions written down.
Best wishes x
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Thanks, I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow. My appointment is on the 28th Feb.
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The wait is very hard - sometimes it feels like the worst part of all. The truth is they can tell a lot from the imaging - I was told just after my biopsy that it was almost certainly cancer albeit a very small one. I’m a Nurse and from the BCNs attitude and the fact that others were leaving before me I knew there was something amiss anyway . Having said that some people who have been thought to have cancer have turned out to be negative - someone on here once said that you don’t have cancer until a medical professional tells you that you do . I’m sorry I know that’s not helpful but there’s no way to know for sure until they tell you . Just keep busy trying to do something that gets you out of your head every day and gives you a little joy in the moment . Hold onto that until the next day - basically it’s a day at a time .
It’s good to try to prepare yourself for your next appointment - not surprising that you couldn’t think of anything to ask last time. The truth is that without your results the information they could have given you would have been limited .
As someone else has said take a notepad and pen with you to your appointment and if you can someone sensible who will remember things or write them down .If there are things you don’t understand at the time you could always call your BCN afterwards to go through it with you or ask them to out it in writing and then ring the Nurses on the helpline here and get them to go through it with you.
If anyone starts talking in medical speak and you don’t understand or are going too fast just ask if they could repeat or say something like "but what does that mean for me " .
I would write down the following and make sure you get answers to these as far as possible - do I need any more investigations and if so then why and what will they be.
What surgery would I need - sometimes the clinical indicators men that you will be offered only lumpectomy or only mastectomy . There’s almost always someone kind of lymph node surgery as well. Sometimes you may be offered a choice .
What other treatment will I need or be recommended - this will depend on your age / menopausal status / type and grade of cancer .
If there are choices to be made then you should be given some time to make those decisions.
One thing I can advise - I was 56 at diagnosis but had only recently stopped having periods and didn’t know my menopausal status . It might have saved me some stress to have known it to be begin with so if you are in any doubt about this ( you don’t give your age ) I would advise contacting your surgery to get a blood test to find this out.
With love xx
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Dear Minahmoo, On a slightly different note,I was advised by friend,a retired GP, to record all my appointments on my phone.I always ask and have never been refused. Its been so helpful as its surprising what you miss. I also keep a note on my mobile of questions that jump into my head at random times. I can look back over these before my next appointment. I am 4 years on from where you are at the moment. Its so difficult waiting for a full diagnosis and treatment plan. I wish you well going forward.
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