Approximately 1 million breast biopsies are performed each year in the U.S., with traditional open surgical biopsy the most common method. In the survey, about 80 percent of the women had undergone a traditional surgical biopsy, while fewer than 20 percent had a minimally invasive biopsy. The availability of new and emerging minimal invasive techniques, however, offer women facing a breast biopsy an alternative option - one that is highly accurate, causes minimal scarring, and is performed on an outpatient basis. The survey found that as many as 64 percent of women wanted more information on their biopsy procedure. Twenty-five percent overall said they had not been fully informed about specifics of the procedure, including the type of biopsy they would have, the length of time it would take, and the amount of discomfort, scarring, and bruising they could experience.
Women often know far too little about biopsy, a common medical procedure.
Biopsies are a critical step in the diagnostic process. More than 90 percent of the women surveyed said they experienced fear, stress, and anxiety concerning the biopsy experience. More than 20 percent said these emotions may have prevented them from asking their physicians all of their questions or interfered with their ability to think clearly about biopsy options. With the need for a breast biopsy, fear and anxiety can take over, as is common when facing the unfamiliar and unknown. Experts say women with breast abnormalities discovered during routine mammograms also have more options when it comes to breast biopsy methods.