Topic: Help! Core Needle Biopsy!

Of course you are scared. Anyone in your shoes would be scared.


Hormones can DEFINITELY change the size of some lumps, at least premenopausally.


I've had 2 mammo- guided core biopsies, and 1 ultrasound guided core biopsies. I actually found the ultrasound guided ones were easier-it was faster and you could move around more. But they numbed me up well for both. The biggest problem I had with the mammo-guided ones-they put you face down on a table with your breasts hanging down and your head to your side - was hearing the directions of the radiologist to 'breathe' or 'don't breathe' because sometimes the machines made noises or slightly jerked, so it was hard for me to hear. If you have pain-complain. They should stop and give you more anesthetic.


Get a sports bra-I found the front zip type very helpful, and wore them almost 24/7 for several days after biopsy (except showering). Tiny ice packs were also helpful for me.


I know this is a very frightening time. I think everyone is frightened. But many women here think 'the best lump is the lump in the jar' - that means getting biopsied- because that's the sure fire way of telling what is going on.


Good for you for getting it checked out! Sending you cyber-hugs as you go through this.

Hi Shells:)
I just had a Fine Needle Aspiration and they were getting ready to do a core biospy. They will numb your breast, and you won't see anything....and they will take a sample and send it to the lab for results...I was so scared when they did mine this past week...BUT, it was very simple ( 10 minutes max) and the soreness came hours afterward.  There will probably be other women in the waiting area going for the same procedure and I found there is lots of female bonding and talking (total understanding and compassion).....

The idea of it is much scarier than the real procedure! I wish you luck:)

shells--after my stereotactic core biopsy. I not only drove myself home, I drove myself to a family funeral 3 hours away the next day with the ice pack tucked under my armpit.  It was a little sore, but you should be able to teach a class by Thursday without a problem.

I'm so sorry to hear about the miscarriage.  I'm surprised they didn't suggest you wait and go thru another cycle before biopsy. Seems like hormones would still be in a state of flux for a while . I think I would call and question the doctor about that. 

Shells - try to relax - have that glass of wine! I was a nervous wreck too, but like RedWeasel said, it really was MUCH easier than going to the dentist! I had a sonogram-assisted, vaccum-needle aspiration done back in February. I drove myself there, and drove myself home (with the ice-pack inside my bra. The ice-pack really helps to keep the swelling and bruising down.) I was able to go to work the next day too - so it's not bad at all. Waiting can be unbearable, but once you get it over with (AND you get your results) you'll feel better! Hang in there!

Hi shells! Does your breast surgeon know you're planning IVF? Most of us who stick around here have breast cancer, or are at increased risk for breast cancer, so we're not the most unbiased group.


It can take forever to get through the diagnosis stage. Pregnancy and lactation can make it more difficult to follow what is going on with breast lumps - to tell normal things that are going on with the breast during pregancy and lactation versus something else going on. Most lumps, not all lumps, but most bc lumps have been in the breast some 6-10 years before they can be detected by any means.


Most of us are not physicians, so we can't give medical advice. If you are concerned, which it sounds like you are (I would be too because I'm a Nervous Nelly) , then I'd push for a biopsy before IVF. As far as I know, there are only a certain number of times you can do IVF.