My Experience

A lump was found on my left breast during my first mammogram at age 40. A sonogram confirmed the lump, and the doctor told me she wanted to do a biopsy, which I agreed to. They had me read paperwork that stated possible complications with a biopsy. The doctor walked me through it and said that the risks for infection, etc, were very low, but that I needed to follow the instructions they gave me, which included not taking Ibuprofen for 48 hours and no baths (showers are okay). Also, there might be some bruising in the area. At some point, the technician who was helping her told me what the biopsy would cost: something like $800. We discussed the ridiculousness involved in having to make health care decisions based on cost. She told me I would feel a pinch when the Lidocaine was injected to numb the area, and a loud click each time a sample was taken. The doc said she wanted to take several samples, “So the pathology lab doesn’t come back to me and ask me to take more.”

The doctor used the sonogram to visualize the mass, and told me I would feel some pressure, then counted to 3 and I heard the loud snap. She handed the device used to take the sample to the technician, who then removed the sample and showed it to her each time. I think they took about 6 samples. Aside from the pressure she applied, there was really zero discomfort. She said she would put some antibacterial ointment on the site, and a Band Aid. When I was done, there was just a little red dot. I had no bruising, and once the Lidocaine wore off, there was very little pain.

The doc told me that she was certain that what I had was not malignant, and explained that the lab results would be back to her by the next afternoon. I asked her what would happen if the results came back positive for cancer, and she walked me through the next steps, but said she thought there was no reason to even contemplate those steps at that point. She made sure she had all my contact details, and said, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. I know you’re going to worry, but try not to.” A tall order! I defy anyone who’s had a biopsy not to worry until they have the results. As it turns out, even though I did spend a pretty sleepless night and unhappy day after that, she called when she said she would and told me that she had been right about the mass, and that she wanted me to come back in 6 months for another sonogram to ensure it wasn’t growing, in which case she thought I should have it removed. I asked about what causes these nonmalignant tumors to grow, and whether estrogen was involved, and she said that they do have estrogen receptors, but that it’s not clear what makes them grow. I also asked why it wasn’t caught by me, my gynecologist (who’s really vigilant about breast exams), or the mammogram doc, and she said it’s a disc shape and oriented with the breast, not standing up in a way that would be easy to feel.