Breast Cancer Information

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can help me -- I am a 48 year-old female who gets mammograms every year since I was 35.  When I had one in May, they called me back and said they needed me to come in again because they needed better pictures and an ultrasound on both breasts.  So, I went and they told me there was a spot on the right breast that wasn't on last years mammo and that I would need a biopsy.  (They told me the same thing six years ago and I went to a breast surgeon for a second opinion and she said it was just nodules, that I didn't need a biopsy)  So I went to the same breast surgeon and she said it looks like just a cyst, but I have to have an aspiration done just to rule it out.  Can anyone give me any advice about any of this -- I need to call for an appointment for an aspiration; What is an aspiration like, as I am very anxious about the procedure? 

Thanks,

Anxiously waiting

I had a stereotactic biopsy as well as a surgical biopsy.  the stereotactic biopsy wasn't that bad and you definitely should have some form of biopsy performed.  I only had a 2cmm mass in my right breast that did not show up on ultrasound and opted for a second biopsy with surgery and radiation.  ]

 Good luck to you and do not hesitate to follow through with whatever tests are necessary.

Hello, 

Thanks so much for getting back to me.  What is the difference between the two biopsies you had?  I never heard of those and was just curious. 

My prayers and thoughts are with you,

Barbara Cathcart  

Hi Barbara,

The first biopsy I had was called a stereotactic biopsy.  It's done while your' awake with a local on a table with one breast set in an opening.  A needle is inserted and asperated for detection of cancer cells.  My biopsy came back inconclusive so my surgeon performed a biopsy in the hospital, under general anesthesia, as an out-patient.  This biopsy came back positive, then I had a lumpectomy and radiation.  My cancer was caught early enough and treatable.

 So don't be afraid to have any necessary biopsies.  

 Good luck to you.

 Maryann