After Care for Breast Core Biopsy

Radiologist who performed the procedure:_______________________

If you have questions or concerns about your care, please call the Breast Center at (608) 266-6400, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  After hours and weekends, this number will be answered by the paging operator.  Ask for the radiologist on call.  If you live out of the area, you may call 1-800-323-8942.

If you took an anti-anxiety medicine before this procedure, do NOT drive for 6 hours.  Do NOT drink alcohol, take muscle relaxants, or mood-altering medicines for 24 hours.

1. Results  Your biopsy results should be ready in 3-4 working days.  Your doctor or the Breast Center staff will call you to discuss your results.  

2. Care of the site 

• Apply ice to the area for 20-30 minutes at least 3 times the day of the biopsy and then as needed.  This will help to reduce swelling and pain.
• It is recommended that you wear a supportive bra for 24-48 hours.  A sports bra or other comfortable bra works well.
• A gauze bandage will be placed over the biopsy site for protection.  You may remove the gauze bandage the next day.  The thin strips of tape or steri-strips placed over the biopsy site will loosen and come off on their own in about a week.  If they are still in place after a week, you may gently peel them off.
• You may shower the next morning.  Do not soak in a bath or pool for 48 hours. 

3. Signs of infection  If any of these symptoms occur, call the Breast Center or your doctor.
 

• Temperature over 100.4  F for two readings taken 4 hours apart
• Significant swelling, firmness, or warmth
• Increased redness
• Pus around the site
• Heavy bleeding from the site

4. Comfort  You may have some discomfort and bruising.  It should go away in about a week.  If you need something for discomfort, you may take Tylenol  for the first 24 hours if you do not have liver problems.  You may resume taking aspirin or ibuprofen 24 hours after the biopsy (if no signs of bleeding) or as directed by your doctor.

5. Activity  Avoid vigorous arm movements and heavy lifting for the first 24 hours.  You may resume your normal routine the next day or as directed by your doctor.

6. Blood Thinners  If you take Coumadin® , aspirin, or other blood thinners, you may resume these 24 hours after the biopsy (if no signs of bleeding) or as directed by your doctor.