Waiting time for a biopsy

[kimbathewhitelion]

Hi there! I'm writing from Australia.
I just wanted some thoughts/advice about my situation please.  I had my first mammogram & ultrasound a couple of weeks ago after discovering a lump in my breast at age 42.  It showed a number of small cysts in both breasts, but one palpable lesion with a well defined hypoechoic lesion and has mobile internal echoes.  Report says it is likely to represent a "complex cyst" but needs to be proven by means of aspiration or focal biopsy if shown to be solid.

My concern is that I have a strong history of cancer in my family (just helped my Mum through Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer), an Aunty who had breast cancer & was treated successfully, another Aunty with Cervical Cancer & treated also, an Uncle who died of late stage bowel/liver/stomach cancer & a Grandmother who died of a melanoma!  I have also previously had atypical cercival cells removed years ago.

I have booked in for the biopsy but can't get in until February 4th!  Apparently they book the next 4 wks in on a priority basis of which it appears I am not, and then close over Xmas & all January for annual break and that is the first appointment time after that.  I am finding it a little hard to get my head around waiting that long.  I'm not sure if I should try elsewhere in another town as there is only one other surgeon in town who does this & he's booked too. Or whether I should take it to mean that it isn't anything to stress over and just try to put it to the back of my mind until then and view it as a positive sign that they didn't want me straight in!.
Please share your thoughts about this as I'm going a little nuts!
Thanks so much,
Kimee

[healthcareguerilla]

I'm sorry I cannot recall the source, (it may have been incredibly unreliable), but the statement was that the "value" of family history was only 1%. While genetics play a role, there are many other contributing factors, in my opinion. However, if you can travel to a breast specialty clinic, then why not take your filims or mammogram CD and get another opinion, but telling them that, with your family history, you are particularly concerned.  The bottom line is that we must do what feels right to us.

In the intervening time, you can read Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, which should be available in Australia, and if available, Susun Weed's Breast Cancer? Breast Health!, etc.

[kimbathewhitelion]

Thanks so much for your comments.  I am seeing the Dr next week and I will discuss with her about the stress and check about other referral options.  I already asked about a cancellation list and they told me that those spots would also be reserved for priority cases.  I tried to phone another specialist in a nearby town yesterday to check their waiting list and they are closed for another week too.  Seems my attempts are to no avail - maybe that's a sign I should just wait.  I just didn't fancy spending Christmas with this hanging over my head.   I feel a bit more at ease as the days pass but it is hard to put out of your mind.
Thanks so much for your comments - I appreciate them.
Kimba :o)

[iam1butterfly]

Personally, I can't see waiting 2 months... you may have to make some noise about this lengthy wait and push for an earlier date; or, at least have your name placed on a waiting list if there's a cancelation of an earlier appointment. I would be a nag and a pest, but that's just me!

tc... and good luck, "i"