Biopsy: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Get urgent or emergency help for:

   • Heavy or rapidly increasing bleeding
   • Trouble breathing, chest pain, or coughing up more than a small amount of blood
   • Fainting, severe weakness, confusion, or difficulty waking
   • Severe or rapidly worsening pain
   • Vomiting blood or passing black or heavily bloody stool
   • Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as facial swelling or breathing difficulty
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek prompt medical advice for fever, increasing redness or warmth, pus, worsening swelling, or bleeding that continues despite firm pressure.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   For routine questions, contact your healthcare team if pain is not improving, bruising is spreading, the wound edges separate, or you are unsure about dressings, medicines, work, or results.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Biopsy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.