Breast Biopsy

Tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines.
• Are allergic to any medicines, including Reference anesthetics Opens New Window.
• Are allergic to latex.
• Have any bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix).
• Are or might be pregnant.

You will be asked to sign a consent form. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the biopsy, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of the biopsy, fill out the medical test information form (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?).

If you take a blood thinner, you will probably need to stop taking it for a week before the biopsy.

If a breast biopsy is to be done under Reference local anesthesia Opens New Window, you do not need to do anything else to prepare for the biopsy.

If the biopsy is to be done under Reference general anesthesia Opens New Window, follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, do so using only a sip of water. An Reference intravenous line (IV) Opens New Window will be put in your arm, and a Reference sedative Opens New Window medicine will be given about an hour before the biopsy. Arrange for someone to drive you home if you will be having general anesthesia or are going to be given a sedative.

Other tests, such as blood tests, may be done before your breast biopsy.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.