over 50% chance of malignancy

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Lea7777
Lea7777 Member Posts: 274
edited December 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

Had a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound today. They saw a 2 cm mass requiring a biopsy. Unfortunately I have to wait 3 weeks for the biopsy. When I asked the odds of it being cancer, I was told by the radiologist that in my case he'd give it over 50%. I knew the standard biopsy odds are 80% benign and 20% malignant, not 50%. So this concerns me.


Thank you

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2017

    Hi Lea-

    We're so sorry you're dealing with the waiting, we know how hard it can be. We hope the next few weeks go by quickly, and that your results are benign. Please keep us posted!

    The Mods

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  • Lea7777
    Lea7777 Member Posts: 274
    edited December 2017

    Thank you. I don't like those odds though.

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2017

    Hi Lea,

    I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this. And that the odds that the radiologist gave you are concerning. For each of us, we either have cancer or we don't. And if you don't, it would be a shame if you spent even a minute worrying about a disease you don't have.

    If there are things you should be doing now, which you haven't yet done, then yes, worry and concern can be helpful (to prod you to do them). But there's very little that you can (or should) do at this point. I can think of only a couple:

    1. If you don't have a copy of the imaging reports yet, I'd ask for a copy. You want the report that he's sending to your doctor, not the so-called "patient letter." It would be helpful for you to know the BIRADs score he's assigned. (If you have questions about the report, come back here and we'll try to help.)

    2. Are you happy with the medical team that you have? With the facility or person who will be doing your biopsy?

    Once you have the report, and a medical team you're happy with, there really isn't anything else for you to do at this point, other than show up for your biopsy. So let me add a third thing:

    3. Do things that keep your mind occupied with things you enjoy. Read a book, binge watch something, go for a hike, go out dancing. Whatever gives you joy!

    HTH (and hoping for B9 results for you!)

    LisaAlissa

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  • Lea7777
    Lea7777 Member Posts: 274
    edited December 2017

    Thank you. That was helpful LisaAlissa.

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  • Lea7777
    Lea7777 Member Posts: 274
    edited December 2017

    I'll followup in case some one googles one of these phrases

    must wait 3 weeks for breast biopsy

    how long is too long to wait for breast biopsy

    how long is too long for breast biopsy

    I was told at my mammogram/ultrasound on a Friday that my biopsy appointment was in 3 weeks. I vehemently objected and repeatedly asked for something sooner. "There are no other appointments," I was told.

    On Monday I called back and said, "If I don't have cancer now, I will in 3 weeks. This length of a wait is cruel. I need to be prescribed a truckload of tranquilizers." The more compelling argument was that I wanted to get all my records and CD of my mammogram because I was going to make an appointment elsewhere for a biopsy, where I could get in sooner. (I am fortunate to live in an area where there are 2 other quality healthcare providers as options, besides my own.) They called me back in 5 minutes with a biopsy appointment for one week after the mammogram/ultrasound.

    One week between mammo/ultrasound and biopsy is reasonable and what the normal wait time is. They even told me, "Usually we get you in for the biopsy within a week, but everyone is on vacation now." So I knew 3 weeks was too long.

    Sometimes we have to fight fight fight. And I am not even referring to cancer, I mean the medical establishment.

    Fortunately my biopsy was benign.



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