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After your biopsy

After a Breast Biopsy: — Bruising, Bra and Recovery

A breast biopsy leaves most people with bruising and tenderness, and two questions they wish someone had answered before leaving the clinic: which bra to wear, and what they can and cannot do. Here is what to expect and what actually needs a call.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin, Surgical Oncologist, MBBS · MS (General Surgery) · M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Bruising is normal — The size and spread of bruising does not indicate how the procedure went.
  • Wear a firm bra — Underwire-free support worn day and night for the first few days is what most teams recommend.
  • Activity resumes gradually — Gentle daily tasks are fine within a day or two; chest and arm exercises are held for about a week.
  • Most results are benign — A recommendation for biopsy means a finding needs to be characterised, not that cancer is present.
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Bruising after a breast biopsy is normal and usually fades within one to two weeks. A firm bra without underwire is what most teams recommend for the first few days. Gentle activity resumes quickly; exercises involving the chest and arm are typically held for around a week.

How much bruising is normal after a breast biopsy?

Bruising is almost universal after a core needle biopsy and varies from a faint yellow tinge to a larger purple patch. The size does not indicate whether something went wrong.

It commonly deepens in colour in the first day or two, then shifts from purple to yellow-green as it fades. Most bruising is gone within a week or two.

A firm swelling under the skin may also appear — usually a small haematoma, which is a pocket of blood. Most settle on their own. If a lump grows very quickly, feels tight, or fever develops alongside it, call your team the same day.

Which bra should you wear, and when can you exercise?

A firm, supportive bra without underwire is what most breast biopsy teams recommend for the first few days, worn during the day and at night. A well-fitting sports bra or soft cup bra works well.

Underwire can press directly on the biopsy site while the tissue is still healing. Hold off until the tenderness has resolved.

Gentle daily activity — walking, light household tasks — is usually fine within a day or two. Activities that involve the chest, shoulder, or arm — lifting, swimming, running, yoga — are typically held for around a week. Follow your team's specific instructions above any general guidance.

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Words your team may use

Core needle biopsy
The most common type. A hollow needle removes small cylinders of tissue from the breast for the laboratory to examine.
Haematoma
A pocket of blood that collects at the biopsy site. Most are small and settle without treatment over a few weeks.
Steri-strips
Thin adhesive strips used to close the small skin nick. Keep them dry and let them fall off on their own.
Pathology
The laboratory report on your tissue sample. This is the result your oncologist or surgeon will discuss with you.

Other questions about biopsy recovery

The bruising has spread further than I expected — is something wrong?

Bruising spreading downward toward the ribs or into the armpit is normal in the first few days. Gravity moves pooled blood through the tissue, so the bruise often appears further from the biopsy site than you expect. The spread of a bruise alone is not a sign that anything has gone wrong. What does warrant a call is a bruise growing very quickly, feeling increasingly tight and hard, or fever appearing alongside it.

I can feel a lump where the biopsy was done — is that the cancer?

A small, firm lump at or near the biopsy site is common and is usually either a haematoma or normal tissue swelling as healing begins. It does not mean a cancer has been found, and it does not mean the procedure went wrong. Most settle over a few weeks. If the lump is growing quickly, becoming very tender, or you notice redness and warmth around it, call your team the same day.

When will my result be ready, and how will I hear?

Results typically take up to one to two weeks, though a complex sample may take a little longer. Your team will tell you how you will be contacted — some teams call, others ask you to come in. If you have not heard by the timeframe they gave you, it is fine to call and ask. Chasing your own result is not a nuisance; it is sensible.

Can I have a bath or go swimming after a biopsy?

You can usually shower the day after your biopsy, keeping the dressing dry. Avoid submerging the biopsy site — baths, swimming, and hot tubs — until the wound has fully closed and your team has confirmed it is safe. Soaking a fresh biopsy site can soften the wound edges, increase the risk of infection, and dislodge steri-strips. Your team will tell you when swimming is fine again.

I take blood thinners — will that affect healing?

Blood thinners — aspirin, warfarin, or newer anticoagulants — can increase the size of a haematoma at the biopsy site. Your team will usually have told you what to pause before the procedure. If you are unsure when to restart a blood thinner, call the doctor who prescribed it rather than waiting for your next routine appointment. Do not stop a blood thinner without being told to — that decision belongs with your prescribing doctor.

Did you know?

The majority of breast biopsies performed because imaging found something uncertain return a benign result. Being referred for a biopsy means a finding needs a clear answer — not that cancer has been found.

Source: ESMO and ASCO clinical guidelines on breast diagnostics

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is bruising after a breast biopsy normal?

Yes — bruising is one of the most common things to notice after a biopsy, and it does not mean anything went wrong. It may spread a little in the first day or two as pooled blood moves through the tissue, and will shift from purple to yellow-green before it disappears. Most bruising resolves within a week or two. If the bruise is growing very quickly, feeling tight and hard, or you have a fever, that is when to call your team.

Which bra should I wear after a breast biopsy?

A firm, supportive bra without underwire is what most teams recommend, worn day and night for the first few days. A sports bra or soft cup bra works well. Underwire can press on the biopsy site while the tissue is still settling, so hold off until the tenderness has resolved. Follow your team's specific advice above any general guidance.

When can I exercise after a breast biopsy?

Gentle daily activity — walking, light household tasks — is usually fine within a day or two. Activities that use the chest, shoulder, or arm on the biopsy side, such as lifting, swimming, or running, are typically held for around a week. Your team's specific instructions are the guide; if your planned activity is not covered by what they told you, ask.

When should I call about pain or bruising after a breast biopsy?

Call your team the same day if a bruise is growing quickly, feeling increasingly tight or hard, or if you have a fever. A firm swelling at the site is common and usually settles on its own — it is the rapid growth, tightness, or fever that needs a call. Pain that is worsening rather than improving after the first few days also warrants contact.

How long does soreness last after a breast biopsy?

Tenderness usually settles within a few days for most people, though the area may feel firm or ache occasionally for a little longer. Paracetamol is generally suitable for the discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin in the first 24 hours unless your doctor has told you otherwise, as these can increase bleeding. If pain is worsening rather than improving after a few days, let your team know.

Will a breast biopsy leave a scar?

A core needle biopsy uses a very small skin nick rather than a surgical incision, so any mark is usually minimal. Cosmetic outcomes vary — most people are left with a faint mark that fades over months, though how well it heals depends on your skin type and the closure used. If you are concerned about the appearance as it heals, mention it at your next review.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

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