First biopsy- age 34 and scared

Yenna21

Hi everyone,

Like many posters here, I'm coming in with my emotional rollercoaster. I'm 34 and felt my first lump ever a few weeks ago. Considering this is simply something I've never had to worry about before, this obviously concerned me and I booked the mammogram right away.

I've never had a mammogram or ultrasound before so the whole process was definitely new and uncomfortable, but I was hoping that would be the end of it.

It turns out that the lump is a birad 4a and I made the decision to have a core needle biopsy (the radiologist said I could wait for 18 months to see what happens, which I thought would be extremely regrettable should I have cancer).

I know I need to distract myself, but I can't help feeling scared- about the biopsy itself (I hate needles), about my very first cancer scare, and about losing my quality of life. I know statistically it's very unlikely, but last year I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes- which was also statistically unlikely for me with my age and average body size.

I guess I'm just looking for some words of comfort from anyone who has been through this before. Am I crazy for being this worried for my first cancer scare? Is this a big deal for others, emotionally?

Ladyc2020

hi Yenna21

I’m sorry you are here, but you are definitely doing the right thing by getting a biopsy. Most biopsies are benign, so keep that in mind. My worst days were right around the biopsy time and it was very intense and scary indeed for me. I was definitely terrified and had all kinds of things going through my mind. Hang in there, hoping you get good results.

Rah2464

Yenna, I went through the same thing when I was 30 although I wound up having an excisional biopsy (basically a lumpectomy) instead of a needle biopsy. It is an unsettling and yes scary process no matter what age you are or how many times you have experienced it. Its great that you chose the option that felt right for you. Being your own health advocate is very important. I am sorry you are having to go through this but know the odds are with you that you will have a benign result. Wishing you all the very best.

Beesie

Yenna, sorry that you are going through this. The first health scare is always scary. I was lucky - in a very weird way - in that I had my first breast biopsy at 16, and at that age I was too unaware to really worry about it. I've had lots more biopsies since then. Although I have been diagnosed with breast cancer (that was my 5th biopsy), I can vouch that most biopsies are benign.

So here's the good news, relatively speaking, of course. BIRADs 4A means that the Radiologist assesses a 10% or less risk of cancer. Since you were offered the opportunity to do 'watchful waiting', I'd guess that the Radiologist actually thinks the risk is lower than that - usually 'watchful waiting' is the next step when the rating is a BIRADs 3, which is a 2% or less risk of cancer.

Then there is the type of biopsy. Other than a fine needle aspiration, ultrasound-guide core needle biopsies are the easiest. All the types of biopsies (except the FNA) use the same needle, but with an ultrasound-guided biopsy, you get to lie comfortably on your back (or angled onto your side). Just be prepared for the noise - the needle sounds like a loud staple gun.

Do you have a copy of mammogram and ultrasound reports? At your age, and since you can feel a lump, my guess is that you have either a complicated cyst (a fluid filled cyst with some solid particles) or a fibroadenoma. At your age, those are a much more common cause for breast lumps than breast cancer. Both are harmless and benign - well, there is a very small risk with the complicated cyst, but less than the 2% since they are usually rated as BIRADs 3 (I've had some of those that have been watched and never turned out to be anything to worry about).

Good luck with the biopsy. And let us know how it goes.

Yenna21

Wow, thank you all SO much for sharing your experiences and making me feel less alone about going through this. You all sound incredibly brave and resilient, which is a huge comfort- I will honestly be reading these messages everytime the fear hits me while I'm waiting.

Knowing more about the actual procedure really helps too- I hate not knowing what to expect (which is sort of how I felt yesterday with the mammogram). I don't have a copy of the results (though I will be asking for them), but I do know the following:

The lump is on the upper outer left breast (I felt it during a self exam, which is how I ended up here), and it's 2.7 cm long. It's a well-circumscribed oval nodule which is solid.

I'll also definitely share my results here once they come in (my biopsy is Oct 8th). Again, thank you so much. I hope I can support other women like this who are scared once my experience is over (whatever the outcome may be).

Ladyc2020

I am definitely not brave, and had many tears for. Few days! I think though, you just face what you need to do and adapt. Information is very helpful, the unknown is scary.

When I had my ultrasound and mammogram, everyone was very serious and their faces told me everything and the radiologist said something about even if it is cancer, it’s small. I was also birads 4a. A small % do turn out to be cancer... but the very fact it’s 4a usually means early stage as the tissue is not very different to normal tissue.

I was anxious for the biopsy and it was weird and unpleasant but not painful. It’s just strange to have medical stuff done. The assistant held my hand and the radiologist explained everything well before hand and during what he was doing. The whole biopsy took maybe 15 mins... and the appointment was about an hour... with getting changed, waiting ect. I was sent home with a little ice pack whcih I popped in the freezer when it was warm and used it the rest of the day.

Good with everything!

Yenna21

I had my biopsy today and it was **exactly** as Ladyc2020 described! The anticipation of it was way worse than the actual procedure- but I guess all that worry and low expectations helped me realize how easy and painless it was. It also helped to have incredibly nice and compassionate doctors. The ultrasound technician held my hand for the first few minutes, and the radiologist kept trying to make me laugh with silly jokes as he did the biopsy. It's about 6 hours later and I feel no pain. Having gone through the process once makes me feel a thousand times more confident about going through it again, should I ever have to.

Now...the real wait! I find out my results next Thursday (a week from now). I've been trying to distract myself with exercise and funny TV shows, which definitely helps. I hope that I'll be celebrating a benign mass, but either way I am ready to handle the next step of whatever the outcome is. 💪

Thank you again, for sharing your stories and support. ❤️❤️ I'll post again once I know my results.

Beesie

Glad the biopsy went well. Hoping for the same with the results!

Yenna21

Hi everyone- I wanted to share the great news that my biopsy came back negative for cancer!

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and helping me mentally prepare for the biopsy and results. Believe it or not, I'm glad I went through it because it shows me how brave I can be when I really need to be. It also really opened my eyes to what the cancer journey that some of you have gone through. You all are strong, brave, and resilient. As a thank you I'll be making a donation to this org. ❤️❤️

Beesie

Great news! Congrats!

Ladyc2020

Whatawesome news! Hope you get to celebrate:)