Waiting For Cancer Biopsy Results: The Stress Can Be Harmful To Your Recovery

When you have been told you may have cancer, and you are waiting on breast biopsy results, the stress you experience waiting for the results can be just as harmful to your body as if you had received a positive diagnosis.

When you are stressed, you produce cortisol, a hormone often called the stress hormone.

When researchers studied this hormone in women waiting on the results of a biopsy to diagnose breast cancer, they found levels similar to that of women who had already received a positive diagnosis of breast cancer.

What does this mean for you? The last thing you need if you are going to be battling cancer is more stress. Stress can lower your immunity and make it more difficult for your body to heal, things you especially need to avoid if you may be facing cancer treatment.

If you are having a biopsy, talk to your doctor about calling you with the results as soon as they are available, rather than making you wait and schedule a time to come into his office.

Most doctors are uncomfortable giving test results over the phone, particularly when the news is not good. You may have to insist and convince your doctor that knowing is healthier for you in the long run than waiting on results.