BIRADS 5 - biopsy coming up. Do I tell my parents?

I didn't read you saying that your internal debate about whether to tell your parents involved your needing their support during this waiting period. You only expressed concern about their feelings. I agree with SondraF that it is preferable to bring family onboard after the biopsy and when you know what you are dealing with and have at least a tentative treatment plan. Otherwise all they will have are questions you will not be able to answer. If you need assistance getting to/from the biopsy than ask them, perhaps your sister? but I wouldn't share your birads result unless asked. If you feel you need support for the visit at which the results of the biopsy and treatment plan are discussed, ask for someone to attend with you. This time is about you and what you need. I am hoping for the best outcome for you!!

I'm a birads 4c and ended up telling my parents and husbands parents. We weren't planning on telling them but we are camping with our kids near my in laws (2hrs away) when they scheduled my results/follow upon the middle of our trip. We wanted my MIL to watch the kids at our campsite so we could both attend my appointment. I also didn't want to rebook my appointment and I was told the mass was coming out so surgery was going to happen anyways. I didn't want to tell my mother in law without telling my parents, so we gave all four parents a heads up. My parents are both cancer survivors so this is a little ptsd for them, especially my dad who had a stem cell transplant.

For me telling them obviously is making them worried, but also providing me and my family support for the next couple of weeks with all the test coming up. I told the kids the doctor found a lump and is going to take it out sometime this summer since my youngest is 4 and I needed her to be gentle after my biopsy. They were happy with that and don't seem to worried.

I really hope this is a radial scar and if it is, I don't think anyone will be mad I told them all the info earlier.

Chiming in just in case my slightly different situation helps someone else who comes along. My husband and I waited until we had results and a plan in place before telling family. In our case, the decision was more how and when to tell adult children. We decided it would be so much less frightening if we knew what it was and the plan. We did tell them before getting results of a liver ultrasound (MRI lit up and needed to determine if there was spread). At that point, we needed some positive support and prayers as we dealt with that possibility. As Jelson says, please take care of your own need for support during this time.

We did not tell my mother, who had health issues and a tendency for anxiety, combined with some dementia, until after my surgery was over and all was well. I could not bear to keep her completely in the dark, but also could not deal with her anxiety on top of my own during the weeks I waited for surgery. I also knew she would be so worried and so confused about what was going on. My brother told her the news that day when my surgery was over, then I explained everything again (a few times) once I got out of the hospital. It did not surprise me one bit that she knew something was wrong during those weeks, but just couldn't figure out what it was. It is hard to hide things from your mother, even as an adult!

We had Thanksgiving dinner with her and the rest of the family between diagnosis and surgery. Everyone knew except her. I promised/threatened to repeatedly give my mother the cell phone number of anyone who let the news slip.

I’m sorry your going through this as well. Lots of love and light to you kimbahtx.

I'm so sorry. We are here for you.