Mumsnet Talk

I discovered a lump on my breast while showering this week,it isn't painful but I have seen my GP and have been booked in for mammogram and biopsy. I am so frightened. I can't help thinking the worst and am struggling to keep calm. Has anyone else been there that can talk me down? Is it ever ok?

This happened to me and it was just a cyst. We left it where it was and it went away of it's own accord. No problem.

I panicked too but it was completely fine. Biopsy is a bit uncomfortable but quite honestly, the worst part of the whole process was when the doctor asked me if it was ok if two medical students sat in on the examination and I was too scared to say no! This was in the days before I had kids, and I was mortified to be sat half naked in a room with two blushing 21 year olds looking at my baps.

Good luck!

Sorry - its own accord.

Thanks. Not really sure what happens in the checks- do you have to stay in? Are you allowed to drive? Do they hurt? So many questions I should have asked the doctor but I was a bag of nerves and my brain wasn't functioning properly! Not much better now- why is it the weekend? I hate waiting.

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Please try not to worry too much at the moment (difficult I know). Between 80 and 85% of breast lumps are harmless. The odds are on your side. I had a lump a few months ago. It had smooth sides and I could move it about which I was told were both good signs of benign lumps. It was benign. It's gone now.

I work in a breast clinic and assist with biopsies and cyst draining. (delightful hey!? )

Its really not as bad as you're expecting, I promise!

The way it works at our clinic (not sure about other places):
If you do have to have a biopsy, it involves putting a local anaesthetic in, so just like at the dentist, stings a bit, then you shouldn't feel a thing.
After that, the worst part should be the noise the biopsy needle makes! Its quite a loud click but you really shouldn't feel anything.
If you do, tell the dr. Don't keep quiet.

They'll take a couple of samples and then a nurse will press on the tiny little wound (like a papercut!) for a bit to supress the bleeding then put a dressing on it and you're done!

You might be asked to wait for a while just to check you're ok then you can go home.
Take it easy for 24hours, no heavy lifting.
Milk the sympathy!

Not sure how different areas do it but we make you an appointment for the following week to come back in and get your results.

Of it is just a cyst they'll either leave it if you're happy with it or they can stick a needle in and suck out the fluid!
Quick as getting a vaccination just pulling out instead of putting in!

We see a fair few ladies each day, they have a mammogram and then an ultrasound and then the dr will decide if it needs a biopsy or, if its a cyst, they'll talk to you about draining it.
You might not even need a biopsy, but if you do, it really isnt that bad.

Hope that helps?

You might even get me with you, talking rubbish to take your mind off it!
That should make you more worried than the biopsy! lol

BBB you sound like just the kind of person I would like with me! My sisters have both had lots of cysts in the past so I am hoping, but you know, hard not to let your mind wander to the worst case scenario.

Haven't googled- hate google for medical stuff, never a good idea.

Can you drive after biopsy, if I have one?

Oh thanks!
We do biopsy after biopsy but for each lady that comes in its (usually) the first time they've ever experienced it.

Yeah you should be fine to drive, you might feel a bit rubbish afterwards but it'll be nerves and relief its over rather than effects of the biopsy!

Take someone with you though if you can, always nice to have someone to talk to who was there at the time.

Don't google. Just trust the breast care team.
Don't think you'd be normal if you didnt worry!
You'd be surprised how many women, when asked if the lump hurts, say 'only because I keep prodding it to see if its still there!'

When you go in mention 'flaming' someone or biscuits, if its me I'll burst out laughing give you a wink! lol

Whens your appointment?
Will you come back and let us know how you get on?

I was hoping they would ring me today with an appointment but it will be Monday now before I hear. No doubt I will be back on here throughout the whole process, nothing like a bit of anonymous support when you need it. Thank goodness for mumsnet.

OP this happened to me a few weeks ago. I was referred on a very speedy system for mammogram and ultrasound. The appointment was really efficient and painfree. Mammogram makes you feel a bit daft as they have to push and squeezt you about a little to get a good shot. But not at all painful. Ultrasound a doddle. I didn't have biopsy -- I think they only do that if the mamaogram/ultrasound throws up any queries.

Anyway, key thing is there was nothing wrong with me, just random 'hormonal thickening'. I was apologetic, but they said 'don't be daft; we expect a negative. Of 45 women looked at each week only 5 will have any problem.'

So please try not to worry at all. The great likelihood is that all will be fine, and the appointment isn't horrible.

I mean, of 50 women, only 5 have prob; 45 are fine.

Appt was in two weeks of seeing GP. The whole thing took 1 and a half hrs. No probs driving etc. All very straightforward.

(And the staff were all lovely. Brilliant NHS, so kind and efficient!)

I hve 3 breast lumps- all OK, all left as they are and 1 removed. So have been through the see the consultant and biopsy route 4 times. It's all OK, I didn't have local anaesthetic for any of my biopsies. It is mildly unpleasant (not as bad as an injection at the dentist) and a bit embarassing as it is your booby which is being examined. All my lumps are benign (incl the one taken out). I got my first lump when I was 19 and found my 4th one when I was 30. Hope this helps.

MOEP, any news on the appointment yet?

Hope you're ok? Not worrying too much?

hi MOEP - just wanted to add my bit - have been through the mammogram/ultrasound/core biopsy bit earlier this year - am sure you'll find the breast care team lovely and gentle - Bratley has explained it all so well - the biopsy 'noise' startled me as they hadn't told me to expect that bit ! It was completely painless and I felt fine after, no bruising or soreness. The uncomfy bit is the mammo which doesn't last long. The hardest bit is probably waiting for results.
Hope it's all good news for you xx

Appointment letter came today- they call it fast track and there is a 2 week gap between seeing my GP and getting to the breast clinic! I know we are lucky to have the NHS but I must say I hoped it would be faster!

I am trying to keep busy (easy enough in my job and with 2 kids) but am feeling pretty anxious. Thanks for the support.

I think that's the standard time -2 weeks -though it must seem horribly long for you to wait. I was lucky to be seen within a few days but mine was a recall from a mammogram so possibly that is a little different ? my results were back within a few days after biopsy too,so I was spared too much anxious waiting. Will be thinking of you x

Hi another one here been through the same thing and everything was OK. Like deadworm I didn't have a biopsy - as it was obviously a cyst on the ultrasound - so I knew on the day.

It does seem a long wait - but a few years ago it could have been months not weeks so things are improving! Will be thinking about you and hope everything is OK. The odds are with you that it should be fine.

can I recommend the Breast Cancer Care forum on their website - just google breast cancer care - there is loads of good advice and support there for you - people in your situation post with their anxieties about waiting and find huge encouragement and words of advice - it's a lovely community I promise you (I'm often there !)

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Please don't worry too much. It really most of the time is nothing. I had a mammography and a scan today and they said it was just an inflamed lymph nodes- I got referred because they were quite low on the side of the breast and so my gynecologist wanted to be sure.
There's so many possibilities: cysts, hormonal caused thickening, nodes etc, etc. The chance of it being cancer is relatively remote.
I know easier said than done, but remember that worrying is not going to change anything!
And anyway, I think there's also a lot of different cancers, not all of them invasive, so that's also a thing to keep in mind.
Hope all will be fine and let us know!

Sorry MOEP, haven't been on for a few days
Was thinking about you at work this week though!

Glad you've got your appointment through, you've got the right idea keeping busy, easy said but try not to worry, at least you're in the system now, the ball is rolling so to speak!

If I'm right, your appointment is 2 weeks from GP app that means its next week?

Please come and let us know how you get on, will be thinking about you

My appointment is next Thursday- seems ages away.

Busy is good but then I remember and get quite frightenened. Really just want to get this over with and am hoping for the best (and trying not to expect the worst).

I haven't got anyone that can come with me, I have told work (need time off), DH and my best friend, but am going alone. Should I drive or get train/taxi?

Whichever you would feel better doing, there's no reason you shouldn't drive but it depends on whether you want to!

I'm in work on Thursday, will be thinking of you x

thinking of you on Thursday too xx