Breast Biopsy: A Complete Guide to Preparing, Painful Conditions, and How to Care for the Wound for Faster Healing.

When an abnormality is detected during a breast cancer screening, the doctor's recommendation to have a breast biopsy can cause considerable anxiety. Many people wonder: Is it painful? What do I need to prepare? And is it as scary as I think? At Namarak Hospital, we understand your concerns. This article compiles "everything you need to know about breast biopsies," from before the procedure to its completion, so you can prepare yourself with confidence.

1. Why is a biopsy necessary?

"Photographs show only probabilities, but tissue samples reveal the truth."

Even though current screening technologies like mammograms and ultrasounds offer very high clarity and can pinpoint the location, shape, and characteristics of calcifications or tumors and determine how "suspicious" they are (indicated by BI-RADS values), these images are merely "shadows" or "external appearances" and cannot reveal anything at the cellular level.

"Biopsy" is therefore the most important step and the international standard (gold standard) in disease diagnosis for three important reasons:

1. Distinguishing between "beneficial" and "malignant" tissue is crucial: An unsightly lump on an X-ray could simply be a cyst, a fatty mass, or a benign tumor (fibroadenoma). A biopsy provides almost 100% confirmation, alleviating concerns if the result is benign (beneficial) or allowing for timely treatment if it's malignant.

2. Gaining in-depth knowledge of "cell types" for targeted treatment (Precision Medicine): If cancer cells are detected, a biopsy will provide doctors with crucial insights into the "biomolecular properties" of those cells, such as...

   • Is this type of cancer hormone-responsive? (ER/PR status)

   • How fast does it divide? (Ki-67)

   • Does it have HER2 receptors?

   This information is like a "roadmap" that helps doctors choose the most appropriate chemotherapy regimen, anti-hormone therapy, or targeted therapy for each individual patient.

3. Helping to plan the appropriate surgery: Knowing the biopsy results before surgery allows the doctor and patient to jointly plan whether a lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery) or a mastectomy (mastectomy) is necessary, and whether lymph node dissection is also required. This reduces the chance of secondary injury and the risk of unnecessary surgery.

   
   

   Therefore, biopsy is not something to be afraid of, but rather a "key" to unlocking the best and safest treatment.

2. Preparation Checklist for Biopsy

Proper preparation ensures a smooth and safe procedure. Here are 5 things to check before coming to the hospital:

1. Discuss your "pre-existing medications": If you are taking blood thinners (such as aspirin, warfarin) or vitamins/supplements (such as fish oil, vitamin E), please inform your doctor in advance. These medications may need to be stopped 3-7 days before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding in some individuals.

2. No fasting required: This is very important! For biopsies using local anesthesia , you can eat and drink normally. However, you should not let your stomach be too empty as this may cause dizziness.

3. Avoid lotion or deodorant: Shower thoroughly and refrain from applying creams, powders, or antiperspirants to the chest and armpits to ensure the skin is as clean as possible.

4. Wear clothing that is "easy to put on and take off": A button-front shirt or loose, comfortable clothing is recommended to make changing clothes easy and to avoid disturbing the wound after the procedure.

5. Relax and prepare yourself: Stress affects blood pressure. Try to get enough rest. A biopsy doesn't take long and is less painful than you might worry.

   
   

3. In-depth look at the procedure: What to expect on the day of a biopsy? (The Procedure)

At Numarak Hospital, we use state-of-the-art biopsy technology with a walk-through procedure as follows:

1. Ultrasound or mammogram location: The doctor will perform a repeat ultrasound or mammogram to accurately locate the tumor to be biopsied.

2. Local anesthetic injection (very painful!): The doctor will inject a local anesthetic into your skin. It will feel like a quick ant bite, and then the area will be numb and you won't feel any pain.

3. Procedure: The doctor uses a puncture instrument to make a small, needle-like incision through the skin, while the procedure is monitored continuously via ultrasound. The process takes only 15-30 minutes. Alternatively, it can be performed via mammogram (stereroctic-guided).

4. Observation Period: Once finished, the doctor will apply pressure to stop the bleeding, cover the area with a plaster, and provide a cold compress to reduce swelling. Rest for about 30 minutes. If there are no adverse reactions, you can receive medication and go home (no hospitalization required).

   
   

4. Post-Biopsy Self-Care Tips

Biopsy wounds are very small, so care is relatively simple, as follows:

• You can shower, but "don't rub": The doctor will apply a waterproof bandage. You can shower normally with running water, but do not rub soap or scrub the wound area for the first 24 hours.

• Cold compress to reduce swelling: If you feel sore or swollen, wrap a cold pack in a clean cloth and apply it to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, for the first 1-2 days.

• Take painkillers immediately: If the anesthetic wears off and you feel pain, you can take paracetamol. The pain usually subsides within 1 day.

• Avoid lifting heavy objects: Rest the arm on the side of the procedure and avoid strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects for about 1-2 days to prevent inflammation or bleeding.

  
  

summarize

Breast biopsies aren't as scary as you might think. They're a minor procedure that takes little time, is minimally painful, and has a quick recovery. The most important thing is the peace of mind gained from knowing the clear diagnosis.

At Numarak Hospital , we are ready to provide care with a team of breast specialists and state-of-the-art technology to ensure your safety at every stage of treatment.

"Knowing the facts and treating the right problem is the best solution."

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a breast cancer screening appointment:

• Website: www.namarak.com

• Facebook: Namarak Hospital

• Line: @namark : https://lin.ee/W82zNUd

• Tel: 0 2 059 0245 - 48, 095 808 9518

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