Referred to Breast Clinic

[pinup30]

I have name changed as alot of RL friends use this.

Wasn't quite sure where to post and what to say really.

Left breast hasn't been right (iyswim) thought I'd found a lump and have been experiencing discomfort for a while, slight pains around breast, more at top of breast slightly spreading to armpit.

Got a doctors appt, got a breast exam and the doc agreed that there is something in the left breast. She can feel 2 lumps for certain ( i could only find one really) and has referred me to the nearest breast clinic. I got the appt today for mid Feb. The doc did say there is a huge chance that it is just cysts.

DH said I sound blaze about it....I am not blaze at all, just trying to remain calm until there is something to stress about. I did explain that if they are cysts then they deal with them there and then etc...........He knows me by now.....I remain calm with most medical situations (operations etc) so I am treating this like I do all other medical situations.

my question is really, has anyone else gone through something similar? how did the appt pan out? Am I being too blaze?

Don't get on the laptop on my own very often but will check on phone as much as I can.

Any advice would be totally amazing x

[fluppy]

Hi. I think you are handling this in just the right way. I am 38 and have had 3 lumps investigated. I am at high risk of breast cancer as my mother has had 4 separate occurrences (and is right now dying from metastatic breast cancer, which is why I am on here tonight looking for advice on helping her through this). I have also been with my mother for investigations of several lumps she has found.

All three of my lumps have been normal breast tissue (not even cysts), even though there were palpable lumps. By far the majority of lumps are of little significance, particularly in the younger age group (and assuming you don't have a family history like mine). You are absolutely right to investigate this properly but the odds are on your side that it will be nothing of concern and therefore if you are able to remain calm while waiting it will make life a whole lot more comfortable over the next couple of weeks.

Here is what happens at our local breast clinic. First a consultant does a full examination of both breasts that is generally longer and with a firmer touch than your GP - they really make sure they have a good look and feel of both sides and right into your armpits and along your neck/collar bone (they are checking your lymphatic system). They will get you to show them exactly where the lump is and may well mark it on you with a felt tip. They will ask you about any other symptoms you might have and any family history. When I was under 35, they then looked at the marked-up area using ultrasound, but with my most recent lump they decided the breast tissue should be thin enough so they also did a mammogram. During the ultrasound, they kept going over the area and coming from different angles until I was convinced they had found something when in fact they had not. At the end they told me that there was only normal tissue and I was able to go. With my mother, who has had suspicious looking tissue, they used the ultrasound to guide them while taking a tiny biopsies of the lumps. The results took about 2 (long) weeks to come back.

Hope that is of some help. These things are no fun at all, but there is every chance that you will be able to leave with a clean bill of health, as I have done so far. And it is amazing how it makes you think about what is really important and maybe even make some positive life changes. You wouldn't believe how I've changed my diet and hit exercise in the past few years! Best wishes.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

hi - why don't you pop over to the tamoxifen thread (number 19) We have all been through this and am sure we can reassure and help