TW breast cancer biopsy

[LittleMermaidRose]

Hello, I'm sorry to post about such a sensitive subject but I'm driving myself crazy worrying about something I know very little about.

My mother (early 60's) had a biopsy at the start of this week due to a mass that was seen on her routine mammogram.
She has an appointment at the hospital next week to get her results.

I'm terrified. From what I've read online it doesn't seem like good news to me, especially receiving results in person.

Can someone please tell me their experience of this?
Is it likely to be cancer?
If it is, will treatment be effective?

I know these questions are difficult to answer but I'm worrying myself sick and just need some sort of information. I don't want to ask my mother anything in case it upsets her.

Thank you

I meant to add we're in Scotland, if that makes a difference to anything.

Thank you

I think about a quarter of the time its cancer if biopsies are taken. I was also told at time biopsies were taken it would be cancer so they have a very good idea already. Then if cancer you get biopsy result and either more tests or first stage of treatment plan at appointment.

This isn't going to be reassuring I'm afraid. My experience was that after my mammogram to investigate a lump I was sent directly for a biopsy. The doctor then told me they strongly suspected cancer and that if the biopsy came back negative she would assume it had missed collecting cells from the tumour. It was indeed cancer and I've been through full treatment now.

However even if it is cancer and your mum then has to face treatment for that, there's a very good chance that like many of us she will get through it with a very good prognosis, especially if the tumour has been picked up early, as routine mammograms are designed to do.

My mum has also had breast cancer and is out the other side of it. It's actually surprisingly common.

Thank you for the reply, even replies that aren't reassuring are very much welcome atm as I would rather be prepared.
I'm glad that you're ok.

Is there a strong chance that she will have been already told that it's likely to be cancer?

Also, routine mammograms are only every 3 years here (her last one was all clear). Would this still be early detection?

Thank you

I was told as I asked. If you don't ask it varies if they say or not. Sometimes people are told definitely cancer, sometimes probably cancer, sometimes maybe and sometimes probably not but we want to be certain. When they say definitely cancer they told me they were 99.99% certain.

I was in my 40s so no checking at all and could well have been growing for years. Checking every 3 years more likely to be picked up early. The stats are better for older people than younger ones.

I was in my 60's. even before the biopsy the consultant looked at me and sad " this is not a cyst" I'd had cysts before, but he definitely knew. I waited until the meeting to find out, then I had an MRI and it turned out I had a tumour in the other breast as well, deep inside so it hadn't been picked up.
I had bilaterally lumpectomies as my breasts were big enough for a good margin. Lymph nodes removed, followed by chemo, then radiotherapy. It all took a long time, and was very unpleasant, but, yes it worked and that was 5 years ago. I'm fine now.
Sending hugs to your mum 💐

If its been caught very early it can just be a small operation as a day patient and then a weeks radio which last 5 minutes each time and main side effect is tiredness and then if hormone positive 10 years tablets to take one a day of which are a bit annoying but not that bad. Obviously if caught later it can be bigger surgery chemo radio hormone tablets etc but there is a lot they can do and survival rates are a lot better than they used to me. I had a years treatment and it was tough going esp chemo but it ends then you just have daily tablets and in my case reconstruction to do.

me = be

I would ask your Mum if you are up to that, ask them what they said and how she is feeling. Especially if no husband.

Thank you bunny, I appreciate your help. I'm so scared for my mother.

I had similar - call back from mammogram - it was cancer but v small - treatment including surgery while not fun has been striaghforward and the out comes are really really good - breastcancer now have great infomation

At 50 I found a lump and went to the breast clinic. As PP said, the radiologist said it wasn't a cyst and decided to take a biopsy there and then. He also said "your lymph nodes are clear which is good news". I knew I was going to get a diagnosis so it didn't come as a surprise. 3.5 years on and I'm fine. I wish your mum all the best 💐

I had call back from first mammogram, needle and core biopsies weren't good enough so had to have surgical biopsy. I had to wait two weeks and go back to clinic for results which were all clear. Must admit I thought it was a bit cruel to put you through the waiting room fear just to tell you all well, couldn't understand why they didn't just phone or post results. So just because she has to go back to clinic for the results does not mean it is bad news.

No it doesn't automatically mean bad news. Our breast clinic always does face to face regardless of the outcome

That is good to know, thank you.

My oldest sister went through this 21 years ago when she was 50. Had lumpectomy and then 6 weeks of radiation (the norm back then). She’s fine!

My youngest sister just went through it. Lumpectomy and 5 days of radiation. They expect her to be fine too.

Hearing “cancer” is always scary, but they’ve made huge strides in BC treatment.

Also your mum may not even have it, so I’ll send some negative biopsy vibes out for you!

Thank you Lizzie! Sending love to you and your sisters