Breast Care After Your Vacuum Excision Biopsy
Date issued: June 2026
Review date: June 2028
Leaflet section: Breast Care
PDF: Breast Care After Your Vacuum Excision Biopsy.pdf [pdf] 163KB
West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service
Primrose Unit Reception: 01752 432066
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The pressure dressing (the top large dressing and underlying gauze) should stay on for 72 hours.
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The Steri-strips and clear dressing underneath can then be removed at the same time.
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The dressing is not waterproof, so avoid wetting the area when washing.
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You may experience some discomfort in your breast after the local anaesthetic wears off. This should settle over the next few days. If you need to, take simple painkillers, such as Paracetamol, but NOT Aspirin (if you are prescribed regular Aspirin, we will advise you when to restart it).
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We advise you to rest for the remainder of the day and not to do any strenuous exercise (such as aerobics or heavy lifting) until the dressings have been removed.
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Wearing a sports bra for a few days may help reduce bruising, and wearing a soft bra at night may help relieve any discomfort.
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Some bruising at the biopsy site is to be expected. The extent of bruising is unpredictable but is usually minor and will clear over the next week. Rarely, the bruising may involve the whole breast, or a lump due to bruise may appear. This may be more painful but will settle with time (it can take many weeks).
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Pressing on the wound firmly for 10 minutes will stop bleeding, in the unlikely event that it occurs. If it doesn’t stop, continue pressing and either call the Breast Care Nurses on 01752 431898, (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm), or attend your local Minor Injuries Unit or Emergency Department.
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If you notice possible signs of infection, such as excessive swelling, pain, or redness, please call the Breast Care Nurses on 01752 431898 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or contact your GP.
Getting Your Results
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Results are usually ready in approximately 2-3 weeks and are given in clinic.
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When the results are ready, you will receive a telephone to arrange a clinic appointment
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If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks, please free feel to contact the Breast Care Nurses on 01752 431898.
Other formats
If you need this leaflet in another format such as Braille, large print, high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into another language, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
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01752 439694
