Did you know…

1.6 million breast biopsies are performed each year in the US, and approximately 80% are found to be benign.

Why so many biopsies? 

Fear of malpractice influences radiologists to order a biopsy of “anything and everything that shows up on the mammogram.” – The Untold Message of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by Jeffrey Dach MD

Is there a risk of metastasis?

Puncturing the tumor can result in the release in microscopic quantities of cancer cells into the surrounding lymphatic system of blood vessels. This can allow the cancer cells to move to distant organs and grow. – Hope4Cancer Treatment Centers

Risk of tumor cell seeding through biopsy and aspiration cytology

Is there damage to sensitive breast tissue?

Watch Inside Edition’s investigative report which shows my badly bruised breast from a “guide wire” procedure prior to a surgical biopsy in 2010:

Is Stage Zero Breast Cancer Really Cancer? Women Share Their Doubts

Can a breast biopsy be avoided?

“If it doesn’t look like high-grade DCIS, we should leave it alone. We would eliminate two thirds of all biopsies if we did.” – Dr. Laura Esserman, Take Carcinoma Out of DCIS and Ease Off Treatment.

Marianna Pinto describes how relieved she was to avoid a breast biopsy:

Info about Dr. Kelly and SonoCine Ultrasound

What are other potential issues with breast biopsies?

• Titanium clips or markers are placed sometimes without informed consent.
• Markers migrated in 13% of 268 procedures.
• Some women complain of allergic reactions to markers left in the breast.