What was your experience with Core Biopsy like?

Sorry for posting the same message three times - my computer must be on a go-slow and I kept hitting save.

Sorry for posting the same message three times - my computer must be on a go-slow and I kept hitting save.

Hi All ... A big thank you to all of you who have responded to my questios about core biopsy.  Your responses are really valuable.  Cheers. Kym

Hi All ... A big thank you to all of you who have responded to my questios about core biopsy.  Your responses are really valuable.  Cheers. Kym

Hi All ... A big thank you to all of you who have responded to my questios about core biopsy.  Your responses are really valuable.  Cheers. Kym

Hi All ... A big thank you to all of you who have responded to my questios about core biopsy.  Your responses are really valuable.  Cheers. Kym

The Doctor Susan Love research foundation says :

"Before you decide whether to take tamoxifen, you need to learn the estrogen receptor (ER) status of the DCIS. All DCIS is now routinely tested for ER status, and tamoxifen is only considered as a treatment option for women who have DCIS that is ER-positive."

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/EmergingDCIS.html

So in the USA, it is routine for all DCIS to be tested for ER status. I would expect this to be the same in Australia ie it should have been done, and maybe it has, or maybe it hasn't..It is possible they did it but forgot to report it, or that it was written up but in the middle of so much gobbledegook it is hard to find.

A wise first step might be to arrange to meet the breast-care nurse at the hospital where you had your op etc,  and ask her to help translate your path report and find out what your hormone receptor status is. And if she cannot find it, then ask her how to get this done now. Maybe someone in Tassie can recommend where you can get hold of a breast care nurse or similar if you do not know where to find one.

Best wishes

I would

1.      Was your core biopsy a little bit uncomfortable or extremely painful? Apart from the sting of the local anaesthetic which was not bad at all, it was not even really uncomfortable.

2.      Did you experience any after effects, such as swelling, bruising, or discomfort? Some bruising, no swelling, and still waiting for discomfort five hours after the procedure.

3.      Was the core biopsy procedure explained to you beforehand to your satisfaction? Yes

4.      Is there anything you wish you’d been told about your core biopsy before you underwent the procedure?

5.      Knowing the physical impact of a core biopsy, could you consider undergoing a core biopsy for scientific research purposes? Certainly.

6.      Can you briefly describe your experience of core biopsy? I was taken to the ultrasound room, set up, had it all explained to me. Local anaesthetic was injected, then a cut for the needle, and then I was able to watch on the screen as they moved the needle right up against the nodule and then harpooned it.  Fascinating!, After they gave me full instructions on caring for the wound and bruise, and took the time necessary to press firmly down to stop the bleeding, then gave me a neat little icepack to put onto the area to reduce bruising, plus dressing etc. I felt a bit dizzy after, and was given water and all the time I needed to recover. then dress and go out.

Hi Kym,

Given when you first posted your request I'm likely too late but thought I'd post anyway so that other women who are about to go through a core biopsy can read a good experience with it.

I had a core biopsy done yesterday, under ultrasound guidance and was so nervous leading up to it that I was more frightened of the procedure than the results of it. Imagine that. Being more scared of the needles than of possibly having cancer ! I googled the internet inside out and found a range of experiences from no pain at all to the most excruciating pain ever so I, of course, was prepared for the worst.

I took my sister in with me for support and she sat behind me to stroke my face and hair to try to keep me relaxed. I told the nurse, doctor and radiographer that I was very anxious and that I understood that they would try to talk to me and ask me questions in an effort to distract me, and whilst I would appreciate their efforts it would only serve to make me feel very chaotic, out of control and thereby make me feel worse, so I politely requested silence other than letting me know when the local anaesthetic was going in so I could breathe it out.

They were all so wonderful. My sister and the doctor warned me that the local was about to be put in and I did my big breath out and honestly didn't feel anything. Not even an initial sting. Then the doctor cut a small hole in my skin and tried to insert the biopsy probe but despite much pushing he couldn't get it in so had to make the hole a little bigger. I didn't feel anything other than immense pressure. Then he inserted the probe 5 times for 5 biopsies, none of which hurt ... just the pressure. (I was a little surprised at the pressure throughout the procedure but not in pain. It felt like someone was kneeling on my chest.) He warned me each time he fired the spring loaded mechanism, which was quite loud (much like a staple gun. I didn't expect it to be that loud. I thought it would be more like a rubber band flicking.) I jumped at the noise the first time because it startled me but was fine after that.

When he finished they got me to apply pressure over it for a few minutes then the nurse put on a couple of steri strips and a waterproof dressing and I was done.

I took panadol for the rest of the day and the only pain I had was at about 10pm for about 10 minutes. It was a sharp/stabbing/stitch type pain deep in my breast but I just stretched my arms out and moved around a bit and it went away. So far today no pain, and no bruising, but the bruising could take a few days to manifest I imagine. 

I know everyone has different experiences and different pain thresholds ... I just wanted to say that I expected the worst and came out of it pleasantly surprised at how nothing it was for me. I hope many others can experience the same.

Now to answer your questions just in case it's not too late:

1.      Was your core biopsy a little bit uncomfortable or extremely painful?
The only discomfort was the immense pressure. But it wasn't painful in any way. 

2.      Did you experience any after effects, such as swelling, bruising, or discomfort?
A tiny bit of sharp/stabbing/stitch type pain that went away after about 10 minutes when I did a bit of stretching. No swelling. No bruising as yet.

3.      Was the core biopsy procedure explained to you beforehand to your satisfaction?
Yes. But I'd already researched it inside out beforehand anyway.

4.      Is there anything you wish you’d been told about your core biopsy before you underwent the procedure?
No.

5.      Knowing the physical impact of a core biopsy, could you consider undergoing a core biopsy for scientific research purposes?
No, because of the possible side-effects. I can deal with possible bruising and pain but not the possibility of any of the more severe and serious side-effects. (infection, lung collapse)

6.      Can you briefly describe your experience of core biopsy?
See above.

Hi Kym,

Given when you first posted your request I'm likely too late but thought I'd post anyway so that other women who are about to go through a core biopsy can read a good experience with it.

I had a core biopsy done yesterday, under ultrasound guidance and was so nervous leading up to it that I was more frightened of the procedure than the results of it. Imagine that. Being more scared of the needles than of possibly having cancer ! I googled the internet inside out and found a range of experiences from no pain at all to the most excruciating pain ever so I, of course, was prepared for the worst.

I took my sister in with me for support and she sat behind me to stroke my face and hair to try to keep me relaxed. I told the nurse, doctor and radiographer that I was very anxious and that I understood that they would try to talk to me and ask me questions in an effort to distract me, and whilst I would appreciate their efforts it would only serve to make me feel very chaotic, out of control and thereby make me feel worse, so I politely requested silence other than letting me know when the local anaesthetic was going in so I could breathe it out.

They were all so wonderful. My sister and the doctor warned me that the local was about to be put in and I did my big breath out and honestly didn't feel anything. Not even an initial sting. Then the doctor cut a small hole in my skin and tried to insert the biopsy probe but despite much pushing he couldn't get it in so had to make the hole a little bigger. I didn't feel anything other than immense pressure. Then he inserted the probe 5 times for 5 biopsies, none of which hurt ... just the pressure. (I was a little surprised at the pressure throughout the procedure but not in pain. It felt like someone was kneeling on my chest.) He warned me each time he fired the spring loaded mechanism, which was quite loud (much like a staple gun. I didn't expect it to be that loud. I thought it would be more like a rubber band flicking.) I jumped at the noise the first time because it startled me but was fine after that.

When he finished they got me to apply pressure over it for a few minutes then the nurse put on a couple of steri strips and a waterproof dressing and I was done.

I took panadol for the rest of the day and the only pain I had was at about 10pm for about 10 minutes. It was a sharp/stabbing/stitch type pain deep in my breast but I just stretched my arms out and moved around a bit and it went away. So far today no pain, and no bruising, but the bruising could take a few days to manifest I imagine. 

I know everyone has different experiences and different pain thresholds ... I just wanted to say that I expected the worst and came out of it pleasantly surprised at how nothing it was for me. I hope many others can experience the same.

Now to answer your questions just in case it's not too late:

1.      Was your core biopsy a little bit uncomfortable or extremely painful?
The only discomfort was the immense pressure. But it wasn't painful in any way. 

2.      Did you experience any after effects, such as swelling, bruising, or discomfort?
A tiny bit of sharp/stabbing/stitch type pain that went away after about 10 minutes when I did a bit of stretching. No swelling. No bruising as yet.

3.      Was the core biopsy procedure explained to you beforehand to your satisfaction?
Yes. But I'd already researched it inside out beforehand anyway.

4.      Is there anything you wish you’d been told about your core biopsy before you underwent the procedure?
No.

5.      Knowing the physical impact of a core biopsy, could you consider undergoing a core biopsy for scientific research purposes?
No, because of the possible side-effects. I can deal with possible bruising and pain but not the possibility of any of the more severe and serious side-effects. (infection, lung collapse)

6.      Can you briefly describe your experience of core biopsy?
See above.