Waiting times for breast cancer procedures?

Question

My Mom was called back for a 2nd mammogram/ultrasound and went in to have it about a week ago. Today the doctor's office told her that there is a high probability of breast cancer. Today is June 5th. They scheduled a consultation appt. for June 19th. From there - the next step - if she chooses - will be a biopsy. They said the "spot" is deep - so I don't know if this will be a needle biopsy or if they will "cut her open" to get it. They told her the biopsy will not happen until the week of June 25th.

I'm thinking there is a bigger sense of urgency here than the doctors are promoting. Am I wrong? What are the average waiting times for this process.

If you've been through this process - or know someone who has - or you work in the medical field - I'd truly appreciate your answer.

If you're just guessing - well - thanks - but I'd prefer not to get those answers.

Answer 1

There are often delays in these situations, but sometimes you can push to get them done sooner. There are many ways to do this. Personal connections and favors often help. If you know anyone who knows someone, that kind of thing.

Your mom could also ask for an excisional biopsy, which means they would schedule the surgery now, and she can have it biopsied at that time. At larger cancer centers, they may be able to do a sentinel node biopsy at the same time as the surgery, have her ask about this.

She can also call once a day (or you can) and ask if there are any cancellations. Keep pushing. Doctors almost always have room in their schedules but they like to keep some openings for emergencies.

I have had breast cancer twice. The second time I got an excisional biopsy and got it pushed up by going to a different surgeon who would do it sooner.

A few weeks probably will not make much of a difference medically. But if your mom is anxious and wants to get it done sooner, there may be a way. Sometimes if you just (politely) bother the appointment staff once a day they will find a way to get you in sooner.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have been in this exact situation. On April 4th, I had a mammogram. I was called five days later and told to return for "additional views." On April 13th, I had a second mammogram, and the results were given immediately. They decided that an ultrasound was in order. They did the ultrasound immediately following a mammogram. It was decided that a needle biopsy was necessary. This was scheduled for April 23rd. Talk about being in a panic for a couple of weeks! I had the biopsy, and returned three days later to have the incision checked, and to get the results. The biopsy was negative (Whew!). But when I expressed my concerns to the doctor about the length of time between the original mammogram and the biopsy, I was told that most breast cancer is not that fast-growing, and that a month would make very little difference to the outcome, in the long run.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I work in the medical field, have done mammos, needle biopsies and been in the OR during lumpectomies.

The word "cancer" strikes fear and uncertainty into those who receive that diagnosis. Luckily, cancer research, early detection and agressive treatments give those affected with more hope than even 20 years ago.

That being said, when it is your family member, soon is never soon enough. Unfortunately, there is a process that has to be followed in a non-emergent (i.e. not immediately life threatening) type of situation. To make a long story short, much of it has to do with insurance companies, hospital scheduling and doctors' avaliability.

My suggestion would be though to opt for just the lumpectomy, or "cutting" it out. I would suggest this for two reasons (and really, really suggest it if there is a history of breast cancer in your family), one, if when the biopsy is done (and it's done under fluoroscopy, ultrasound or another imaging study) and the spot is missed (and yes it does happen) she may have to have another biopsy and then a lumpectomy. So she would have gone through uneccesary stress and procedures. Two, you can be more assured when you are "cut" open that the tumor and the surrounding tissue will all be removed (they use a staining type of dye to localize the area where they plan on removing the tumor).

I hope this is helpful. Cancer is prevalent in the males in my family. Early detection and agressive treatment is key. So many people worry about losing their hair or losing a breast. These things can be replaced. It's all about survival.

Best of luck to you and your mother

Answer 4

I too can empathise with you. The waiting for results, and additional tests and consults really sucks. I am a 3 year breast cancer survivor. I guess I was somewhat lucky as they did the mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy all on the same day and I had results the next week, then more tests and more waiting. I guess it depends on where you live and your insurance as to how fast you can get the tests and results. However, a few weeks or month won't affect the final outcome one way or the other.

Answer 5

Do you know there's more people making living from cancer than dying from? Our body has all of the function to fight against any cancerous cells but due to our dietary, our body becomes more acidic which provides the "best" environment for cancer cells to breed.

My suggestions from below (from previous experiences):

1. Start taking B17
2. Coupled with Enzyme
3. Alkaline Body system- The aim is to stop metastasis of cancer. Alkaline body system (high pH) increases celluar oxygen by 20 folds that cripple cancer cells. Cancer cells spread anaerobically. Minerals of bio-availability strengthen NK cells in your immune system to stop cancer cells from spreading. This will leave a smaller area of cancer cells for the B17 to kill.

1. Nitrilosides -B17(about 140mg a day)
Should you experience nausea, reduce your dosage to half and slowly increase until your body acclimatizes. Reduce it to half after 6-12 months. Taking B17 Nitrilosides should be continuous until 130 years old.

2. Start taking enzyme:
Papain (from Pineapple) & Bromelain (from Papaya)-
These proteolytic enzyme helps to digest protein layer of a tumor that protect cancer cells. This will expose cancer cells to allow B17 to act and kill. A secondary support from pineapple and papaya is the richness of beta-carotene (precursor of vitamin A) which is cancer -suppressive.

3. Take Vitamin C of 10,000 mg / day with maximum of 3000 mg each. If diarrhea occurs, reduce your dosage. Taking 10,000 mg of vitamin C / day has been shown to increase the cancer patients' life span by 4 times.

4. Take 400-800 mg to strength your immune system

5. No animal protein. It depletes your body of proteolytic enzyme of chemotrypin and trypsin.

6. No sugar and low carbohydrates. Glucose is food for cancer. Starve cancer cells.

7. No coffee, tea, milk, chocolate soft drinks - They lower your body pH.

8. Make your meals consisting on cruciferrous vegetables ONLY! These are the "most economical" way to promote your body into a alkaline state and thus, prevent a cancer-free live.

My heart goes for you and will lift your mum in our prayers.

Regards,
Eagle