Facing a breast biopsy can feel overwhelming but understanding the process can ease your mind and help you feel prepared. It’s a common procedure used to examine a small sample of breast tissue to determine if abnormalities are benign or need further attention.
Noemi Sigalove, MD, with HonorHealth Cancer Care gives a closer look at what happens during a breast biopsy, how to prepare and what you can expect afterward.
Biopsy basics
A breast biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure where your doctor, usually a radiologist or breast surgeon, collects a small tissue sample for lab evaluation. This is done when imaging or a physical exam raises concerns about the tissue.
Typically, your radiologist may spot something concerning on your mammogram, ultrasound or MRI, such as a lesion or calcifications (tiny white specks) that need further testing to establish they are not cancerous. “We only biopsy lesions we can’t confidently identify as benign,” says Dr. Sigalove. “This category also includes those lesions that appear benign but have grown unexpectedly.”
Doctors may also biopsy:
- A new or enlarging mass or lesion that has recently been noticed by you or your doctor, as growth could indicate a concern.
- Clustered calcifications, which can sometimes signal early cancer, though most calcifications are typically due to benign causes.
If an area on your mammogram or ultrasound appears abnormal, the radiologist, in consultation with your primary care physician, may recommend a biopsy. In most cases, you'll schedule the biopsy within a few weeks of your imaging exam.
Here’s how it’s done
One of the most common types of biopsies is a core-needle biopsy, typically performed in a radiology suite or breast surgeon’s office with the help of imaging. Here’s what you can expect:
- If a lesion is found through a mammogram, the biopsy will likely be guided by mammography.
- For concerns found with ultrasound or MRI, those imaging methods will guide the biopsy.
- A physician will use local anesthetic to numb the area before inserting a biopsy device that takes several tissue samples.
- The samples are sent to a lab for evaluation, and a small metal marker is often left behind to mark the site of biopsy.
- The procedure is quick and generally involves minimal bruising, with the numbing being the most uncomfortable part — like dental work.
- You are bandaged, given an ice pack to reduce bruising and sent home within an hour. Results typically arrive within a few days.
“While a biopsy may feel daunting,” says Dr. Sigalove, “our goal is to guide you through this routine procedure and provide clear answers. With the support of your HonorHealth care team, you’re taking an important step in staying proactive about your breast health.”
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