Does being recalled for a breast biopsy always mean cancer?

[Fivegates]

My DM went for a routine mammogram and during they found an area of concern. She had an ultrasound and repeat mammogram there and then. She’s recently moved to a new area and they requested her old mammograms from the old hospital. Then called her to say she needed a biopsy.

She went for the biopsy today and seems convinced it must be bad news. She said lots of other women in the waiting room said that being recalled for the biopsy meant they definitely had cancer. Is this right? Surely they don’t know yet? She’s been given an appointment next week to discuss the result.

I had a biopsy that came back inconclusive and then spent the wait convinced I had cancer. It doesn’t help that the breast clinic was full of women undergoing cancer treatment, so I did start to catastrophise.

It was biopsied again and it was a fibroadenoma - not cancer at all.

I hope it works out for your DM.

No it doesn't. That is the point of the biopsy.

It definitely doesn’t always mean cancer, I think most of those recalled are not cancer in the end.

The NHS is extra cautious on this. You’re probably fine, but best to go the the follow up obviously.

I've had two biopsies, and both times I was fine. One was for a lump I found and the other was from my first routine mammogram.

No. My mum had one a month or so ago and the nurse made a point of saying, all results require an in person appointment with the doctor, even negative ones.

Thanks everyone. My DM does tend to have a bit of a filter where she only hears the bad news, so this is all slightly reassuring!