Breast Cancer

I am not dealing with the best of times as I'm in the US as my father is dying of brain cancer.  To add to the "fun", I had a mammogram, followed by a sonogram and they feel I need a biopsy.  The kind they are recommending here is a stereotatic core biopsy.  Does anyone know if they do those in the UK? 

I may do it here as I don't want to leave being that my Dad has a matter of weeks, but have no insurance.

Oh joy.....

thanks everyone!

I don't know the answer to your question, but just wanted to say sorry that you are dealing with all of this.

Yes a stereotactic core biopsy is available on the NHS.
It is relatively fast, but they keep you in for like an hour, they give you a local anesthetic and then remove some breast tissue with a special needle.
My sister had some bleeding in her breast and it was a bit sore, but I think that was unusual, it wasn't too bad she was back at work the next day.

Just to say, she had one because they saw something on her mamogram, her doctor couldn't feel it properly so they did the biopsy, it doesn't necessarily mean cancer It must be horrible and scary for you with everything going on with you (bless your heart) but don't think the worst just yet.

Hope everything goes well for you, I haven't had it myself but held my sister's hand during hers, so if you have any questions or want to vent, then just let me know x

Thanks for your posts.  MaryKate, first of all, I hope your sister is ok.  She was lucky to have you with her.  Where did your sister have hers done?

I'm going to call my GP and tell them the situation with my Dad and see if there is any way I can stay here to get it done.  I have a two year old with me and would hate to fly us to the UK and then back again.  It's already tough enough on all of us.  Also, it is going to be costly to come back and then out again, so it might just make sense all around to do it in the US at this time.

Sorry to go on and on!  I think I'm just thinking as I'm typing!

Thank God for uk-yankee!!!

Thanks for your posts.  MaryKate, first of all, I hope your sister is ok.  She was lucky to have you with her.  Where did your sister have hers done?

I'm going to call my GP and tell them the situation with my Dad and see if there is any way I can stay here to get it done.  I have a two year old with me and would hate to fly us to the UK and then back again.  It's already tough enough on all of us.  Also, it is going to be costly to come back and then out again, so it might just make sense all around to do it in the US at this time.

Sorry to go on and on!  I think I'm just thinking as I'm typing!

Thank God for uk-yankee!!!

No worries, it's a really worrying time! Must be hugely stressful what with everything going on.

My sister had hers done about 2-3 years ago I think, she's absolutely fine now, it was a scary time (especially as my nieces were 3 and 5 at the time) but she got through everything and is fine now. She had a lumpectomy and is now very vigilant about breast health but *crossed fingers* she's been good.

I hope you sort everything out and it turns out to be nothing x

Don't have any advice, but ((((((hugs))))))

so sorry you have to deal with all of this. wish i had something informative to say, but i just have good wishes for you.

I had one done privately here.  It felt the way it feels when someone tugs on your earlobe.  Weird, kind of uncomfortable but not painful. 

I think I had a one or two stitches and it ached a little next day, but aside from that it wasn't a problem.

I hope everything works out for you.

I don't have the answer to your question about the biopsy, I just wanted to say that I lost my dad to liver cancer nearly 10 years ago, and I will never forget how painful those final weeks were for me and for him. I'm sorry you are going through it now.  :\\\'( (((((HUGS)))))

Yes, they do them in the UK.  But there are variations in the method in either country.  I had one done in the US and, while it was not fun, there was no pain.  And it turned out to be OK in the end.
So sorry to hear about your Dad.  I do know what you must be going through as my DD has cancer.  But do take care of yourself.

I hope you get a good result from the biopsy and you have my sympathies about your dad's illness.