I had a biopsy yesterday. Waiting for results...
Quick recap: there was an abnormal finding during an MRI scan (I get those once a year because I'm high risk for breast cancer) and the original radiologist recommended a biopsy. However, the radiologists at my practice did not think the mass was suspicious (it looked like it's been there for a couple of years). The surgeon (who did my surgery back in 2020) thought that it would be a good idea to do a biopsy anyway, just to be on the safe side.
They were able to use ultrasound to find something that looked like the right size and the right place to match the MRI findings. They can't be 100% sure they biopsied the right thing, though, because that mass "collapsed", suggesting it's a cyst, and cysts don't look like that thing they saw on MRI.
- I am immensely glad that the medicine and technology are so advanced - the whole biopsy procedure took just a few minutes and I was at the office for less than 2 hours. There was minimal discomfort and no pain. I was able to get back to work and back to regular life
- If needed (and if insurance covers it), there is an option of additional MRI.
- There is also an option for MRI-guided biopsy, if needed.
- I am very impressed that I can get all these follow-ups, tests, scans. Yes, they take time - but it is so important to catch cancer early.
- Thinking of all the friends who have cancer: there are new treatments being developed, new ways of minimizing side effects, there is so much research (both in academia and by big pharma) that aims to extend lives and maximize the quality of life.
