Experience of breast lumps at an older age.

[HotSince82]

My mum is sixty four, she's found a small but movable lump in her breast and had been referred to the breast clinic and her appointment is next monday.
I have been googling and apparently the median age of breast cancer diagnosis is sixty two. This has scared me witless.
From a selfish perspective, my Dad died ten years ago from a heart attack and I'm an only child, I just can't bear to lose my mum too.

She suffers from an autoimmune vasculitis and antiphospholipid syndrome as it is, which I know would hamper her treatment options in the case of a cancer diagnosis.

I am waffling here but I suppose I just want to know if anybody has any positive stories of breast lumps in a woman's sixties that turned out to be benign.
I'm trying to remain calm but failing miserably here.

[AliceInStaines]

Small and moveable is good! As is smooth edges. Is it like a small pea almost? And can be slid around? Probably a fibroadenoma

Had the same in January so I know the utter panic - although I'm in my 40s!

Google fibroadenoma (and nothing else!) And don't panic! Right now there is nothing to panic about so try and relax

[Skap]

At any age breast cancer is treatable and while other health conditions might have some effect there are many options. I thought you meant someone much older! I'm 61 with other health problems and have breast cancer. The lady in the bed next to me in hospital having the same breast operation as me was 86.
The breast clinic appointment will hopefully give your mum a preliminary diagnosis. They do lots of tests on the day, prepare to be a few hours. If they suspect cancer they will say so and do a biopsy.

[HotSince82]

Thanks for your replies, Alice thanks for the reassurance and Skap I hope your treatment is going well and will be successful.
I know its treatable if caught early and there are lots of options. How long was it from diagnosis to your op if you don't mind me asking?

[MustardScreams]

Breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. As my consultant told me “if you’re going to get cancer, this is the one you want”. I was 30 when I was diagnosed with BC, and whilst it hasn’t been fun, my prognosis once treatment is over looks very positive.

90% of all lumps are benign, so the chances are she’ll be absolutely fine. It is bloody terrifying though, and most people who have lumps say the waiting is the worst bit. Be kind to yourself, and don’t worry about worrying it’s so normal! I hope she gets excellent news.

[Skap]

I found the lump in June, prevaricated briefly, saw GP 5th July, breast clinic 15th July and operation 22nd August. In most cases they prefer to do chemotherapy before surgery but mine was the other way round because of a lung condition.
However as others say it is most likely nothing. No GP will ever "diagnose" a breast lump, they always follow protocol and refer to the breast clinic.

[NanTheWiser]

I was 64 too, when I had a mammogram recall (worried me to death, especially as my husband was seriously ill in hospital at the time). It turned out to be a fibroadenoma too, and no further treatment required.
It does sound as though this might be what your mum has got, and do remember that 9 out of 10 lumps are usually benign.

[HotSince82]

Thank you again Skap its great that you were treated so promptly. My mum had a lung condition too which makes a GA risky but if she has got can cancer she is detetmined to go down the route of mastectomy to prevent any chance of reoccurance. I sincerely hope you are free from all signs of cancer in the very near future
Nan, thank you thats most reassuring I'm pleased you had a benign outcome!

[HotSince82]

I thought I'd come back and post the outcome as my mum was at breast clinic today.
The lump is a fatty necrosis. A mammogram and ultrasound confirmed this diagnosis, although the consultant was pretty sure that it was benign from the initial consultation as apparently it felt 'spiky'.
Once again thank you to all who shared their experiences, hopefully this thread can help to inform anybody else going through a similar experience.

[NanTheWiser]

Glad to see your update, Hot! A big relief all round!

[HotSince82]

Thank you