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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The agonizing wait for breast cancer biopsy results can be harmful to a womans health. The results of a new study suggests not knowing a diagnosis can lead to stress that may have adverse effects on the immune system.
More than 1.2 million breast biopsies are performed each year in the U.S 80 percent result
in non-cancerous findings. In this new study, researchers sought to establish a biochemical marker to assess the physical effects associated with the stress of extended waiting for a final diagnosis. They collected stress hormone samples from 126 women who had just undergone a large core biopsy. Four days later, the scientists learned the stress hormone levels of women with uncertain results were significantly different than women with benign results, but highly similar to women with malignant results.
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The studys lead author, Elvira V. Lang, M.D., associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and radiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston recommends women find out who will communicate their results to them and how long it will take to receive them.
"It is no longer so easy for healthcare providers to overlook the effects of extended waiting and say Oh, its just nerves," Lang was quoted as saying.
SOURCE: Radiology, March 2009
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