Q. Do biopsies cause cancer?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
No, biopsies do not cause cancer. Biopsies are a type of medical procedure used to diagnose or rule out certain types of cancers and other conditions. During the procedure, tissue samples are taken from an area of concern and examined in a laboratory setting for signs of disease.
Having a biopsy should not increase your risk for developing any type of cancer because it is completely non-invasive - no cuts or wounds are made on the body during the procedure. The only risk associated with biopsies is related to infection, which can be prevented by taking proper post-operative care after the biopsy has been completed.
The purpose of having a biopsy is to help doctors accurately determine whether or not someone does have cancer; this helps them ensure that patients receive appropriate treatments if necessary so they can improve their prognosis and chances for recovery overall. In fact, in many cases, having an accurate diagnosis through a biopsy results in earlier detection and treatment than would otherwise have been possible without one – both factors that can greatly reduce mortality rates from cancer even further.