 |
Understanding
DCIS
- Causes of
DCIS
- Genetic
Testing
- Self
Advocacy
- Decisions
- Screening
- Getting a
Biopsy
- When DCIS
is Diagnosed
- Getting
a Second Opinion
- Psychological
Impact
- Understanding
Risk
- Treatment
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Preparing for a Biopsy Before you have a biopsy procedure, be sure to tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant, have any bleeding problems, tend to scar easily, are taking any blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants including Aspirin, Warfarin, and all anti inflammatory agents (NSAID's), such as Advil, Aleve, etc.), or have any allergies to food, materials, medications, iodine, etc. |
There are some herbal supplements (i.e., St. John's Wart, Ginko Baloba, garlic) and vitamins that may interfere with blood coagulation and anesthesia. It is important for you to discuss these with your doctor.
You will be asked to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of a breast biopsy and agree to have the test done. As you read the consent form, ask your doctor any questions you have about the procedure and discuss any worries you may have about the need for the procedure, the risks of the procedure, or how it will be done.
If you need an anesthetic other than a local one, ask your doctor what you can and cannot eat and drink before and after the biopsy. If you are taking any medications, ask your doctor whether you should continue to take them.
Sometimes samples of your blood or urine and a chest X-ray may be taken to help determine whether you have another medical condition that needs to be treated before the biopsy.
There are a number of questions that you may want to ask your doctor before you have a biopsy so you know what to expect during the procedure and what information the procedure will provide:
- What type of biopsy will be performed and how is it done?
- Is the surgeon or radiologist skilled in performing breast biopsies? (It is best if the individual surgeon and/or radiologist performs five or six such procedures every week.)
- How long does the procedure take? Will it hurt? Will I have some kind of anesthetic? How long will the anesthetic last?
- Where is the biopsy done? At a hospital? Surgical center? Outpatient department?
- Do I need someone to drive me there? Take me home?
- How much tissue will be removed? Will there be a scar? Will the shape of my breast change?
- When will I get the results of the biopsy? How will I get the results — will you call me? Do I go to your office?
- Are there other tests that are needed at this time?
- Are there side effects from the biopsy that I need to be aware of?
