Lump in breast - any advice please?

[anyadvice]

(name changed as friends know my MN name and I don't want anyone to know this.)


Have found a small lump in my breast. Check myself regularly, and also have had lumps under arms in the past (always at time of the month) but this feels different.

Have been putting off seeing doctor as so scared, and wanted to wait until after period this month. Period been and gone and lump still there.

Am seeing doctor today. But am literally shaking. Not even because I'm convinced it's bad, but because I'm scared of what I will have to go through now.
What will the likely process be? Will I have to go straight to hospital? Will they need to operate in some way or will other tests be done first? How long will this all take and how long until I know what it is for sure?
Anyone been through this and can give me some idea of what will happen to me?

Sorry if I seem naive or daft questions. No experience of this and scared to death.

Thank you

[saggers]

Haven't got experience of this myself, but 2 friends recently found lumps. One had a mammagram 2 days after going to the drs- it was just a cyst and has gone now. The other friend was not so lucky and has just finished her treatment for advanced breast cancer. This must be what you're scared of, but rememember most lumps don't turn out to be anything sinister. My friend who had cancer has said she DIDN'T check herself regularly , and even when she found the lump, put off going to the drs for quite some time. You're doing the right thing going to the drs. Just try to stay calm. Hope you get the answer you're hoping for soon. big hugs x

[anyadvice]

Thanks so much littlelapin and saggers

Good to know that I may only need a mammagram and then they may be able to tell what it is...

Am so frightened of any sort of surgery. Had visions of being taken straight in and them needing to operate to tell what it really is.

Am not usually a worrier but this has really got to me! Ds is only 2 and needs his mum! DH has recently left us so it's a very difficult time all round.

Thanks again for the advice and support

[BettySpaghetti]

A friend of mine recently had a breast lump (although she didn't tell anyone about it, other than her partner, until after she had the all-clear).

I'm not sure of the exact tests or proceedures she had to go through but she did say she was "fast-tracked" to see the consutant and have the tests. This really scared her as she presumed being fast-tracked = serious concerns but I think its pretty standard in most areas. In my friends case she was fine and given the all-clear very quickly.

So please don't panic if the GP is straight on the phone booking you in to see the consultant.

[saggers]

Let's know what the dr says. Good luck! Try to keep this bumped for support.

[saggers]

.

[pindy]

Have had friends in similar situations, usually nothing to worry about and you have done the best thing possible, booking an appointment at the doctors!!

Good luck X

[Carmenere]

I had a lump in my breast recently(still there actually) and I was terrified. And I went to the GP and was referred for a mammogram and eventually I had a biopsy. Thankfully it was nothing but it was horrible that they couldn't tell that until I had had quite a few tests.

So even if they do refer you and you do have to have extensive tests it doesn't mean that it is anything to worry about. If it is something dodgy it is absolutely best to get it sorted asap.

They do try to hurry it on as much as possible as they know how worrying it can be.

Good luck and try not to worry take care.

[shonaspurtle]

I had a biopsy for a neck lump a few years ago. It was just a needle and was done very quickly and painlessly. I was able to get the results that day and all was well.

It must be very worrying for you but you're doing exactly the right thing seeing the doctor now and not waiting and getting even more worked up. Hopefully they'll be able to put your mind at rest quickly.

I think in a lot of cases they don't even need to go as far as a biopsy to be able to rule out anything sinister.

[NoNickname]

I had a breast lump a fair few years back. I went to the doctor, who referred me to the hospital.

They did a needle biopsy. Basically, put a needle in and withdrew some tissue/fluid, then sent it off for testing.

It was quite quick (a week or two?) and the results came back that it was benign. They couldn't be 100% sure though that they had got exactly the right place, so I was given the option of having it removed surgically if I wanted. I chose that option and had a quick op to remove it.

After I came round and was discharged, I was told it was "periductal mastitis" and was given a leaflet about it.

Please don't be worried. I know it's hard not to be, but you have taken the right steps in finding out more.

According to NHS Direct, the vast majority of lumps (85%) are benign.

NHS Direct page about breast lumps

[flamingtoaster]

I've had several scares with lumps. Appointment at clinic was less than two weeks from when I saw the GP. Had mammogram, ultrasound and physical examination - the results of these they give you at the appointment. As someone else has said biopsy results take longer. Don't worry if the consultant asks for another mammogram- sometimes they want a slightly different angle so they can be sure. Well done for going to the GP quickly - sometimes they can tell what it is without even sending you to the Clinic - it's all to do with the texture of the lump and whether or not it moves in a certain way. Hug because I know how you are feeling.

[hippipotami]

I also have had various lumps. The last one being a few years back. The GP checked it over and referred me to hospital. Within 2 weeks I was there, where a consultant examined the breast and did and ultrasound and needle biopsy. The results were okay but they were going to remove the lump to be on the safe side. So a month later I had surgery. Lump was sent away for testing and two weeks later I got the all clear. All through this there were a few women who I met at all my appointments who were obviously going through the exact same thing. We all got the all clear. It is more common than you think.

Please don't be scared.
xx

[LaCerbiatta]

I had an appointment a couple of weeks ago about a breast lump. I had many lumps before, always fibroadenomas, but this one felt a bit different so I had it checked out. First a nurse did an exam and marked on my breast with a marker pen where the lump was (she actually found 3!) then I had an ultrasound (was told that they ususally only do mammograms after 35) and the doctor assured me that they were fibroadenomas so that was that.

Hopefully it will be just as easy for you!

[Smurfgirl]

I had a lump a while ago, I just had an examination and an ultrasound - no biopsy or mammogram so it may only require something as simple as that, my appointment came through quickly and i was in and out in under an hour.

Oh and when I saw my GP he told me then and there that it was most likely nothing from the feel of it.

[anyadvice]

Thank you everyone for all your advice and support. You've helped me so much

Doc was great. Really put my mind at rest because I went in so quickly and because I'm under 30 - she said the statistics are all in my favour.

She said I will be referred to the hospital and should be seen within 2 weeks. And also said that I should hopefully not even have to have the biopsy. Just examinations and a mammagram or ultrasound.

Feel so much calmer today.

I will come on and post when I've been. Hopefully to let you all know the good news.

Thank you so much

[saggers]

I'll keep my fingers crossed

[hippipotami]

well done anyadvice, good news!