breast lump - what do I need to do?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I feel a right tit, literally, absentmindedly and constantly now.

Long, banana shaped lump in right tit above nipple. Length and width of my index and middle fingers together - how on earth did I not spot that?

It's not fixed and seems to have ragged edges. Quite hard, bit tender - but that's probably from all the poking.

No skin puckering or anything else.

Will call GP tomorrow. I feel calm, I know most lumps are benign. There's no family history of badly behaving breasts, I'm not 50 yet, am far too fat, but, healthy. Not prone to panic or anxiety - but, I'm BUSY and don't have time to have cancer.

What do I need to do? Draw round the fucking thing, like you would with cellulitis?

Fuxake.

[UncomfortableSilence]

Just do what you are doing, speak to your GP. You'll be referred to the breast clinic, they'll examine, mammogram and possibly ultrasound, I had the full works.

You'll usually get a pretty good idea on the day what you are dealing with.

Like you say the majority of lumps are harmless so hopefully that will be the case.

[PotteringAlong]

Exactly as you said. GP tomorrow and they will refer you to the breast clinic. Probably nothing, always best to check

[Xylophonics]

If your GP is doing e-consults you can complete that today and they should contact you tomorrow.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Thanks. That's really helpful.

Naturally, I am poking it and trying to see if it has grown or whatever.

it's probably nothing, it's probably nothing, it's probably nothing.

[PotteringAlong]

Have you got an appointment for today?

[jessycake]

Obviously you have to have it checked out just in case , but from your description I bet it's a fluid filled cyst . I had them around this sort of age I think they pop up quite quickly and can be quite large .

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I am VERY impressed. Rang this morning, nice no-nonsense chat with lovely GP and I'm seeing her at 4pm.

She ran through the PPE requirements and how the clinic is operating.

I'm surprised, I thought I'd have to wait a while to be seen. Relieved, and I didn't realise I was quite so worried about it.

Thanks, Jessy. Fingers crossed. I know it is unlikely to be sinister - but, it's a bit discombobulating. I really don't have time to take a year out for tit drama.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Lovely doctor had a free go of my boob. Agrees there's a big lump, but, it's not gritty and is mobile.

I'll get an appointment at the boob clinic and they'll have a wee go of it too. Shouldn't have to wait too long.

Am really very pleased, I thought it'd be weeks but it seems not. Great service!

[UncomfortableSilence]

That's great, it really is a fab service. Fingers crossed you get good news, keep us updated.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Well, one tiny silver lining of a pandemic is that the waiting list for the boob clinic has evaporated.

Got an appointment on Monday instead of waiting about 5 weeks.

Every cloud.

[Wilberforce1]

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria that's great news, fingers crossed for Monday that is just a cyst 🤞

I had to go to urgent care on Friday night for a UTI and it was empty, I was there and back in 45 minutes!

[PotteringAlong]

So glad you’ve been checked and will get seen ASAP!

[weehoo]

Good luck for your appt - well done for acting straight away. It's so important to seek advice re these things, regardless of pandemic.

I've been there, 3 years ago. It wasn't good news (I was in the minority unfortunately but I am out the other side now

[Minnie888]

Sending you good wishes OP for Monday

[Stillamum3]

Same here, OP. I found a lump about 10 days ago, on a Sunday. I was relieved I could get the ball rolling by filling in the Econsult form and got an appointment with the GP next day. I'm going to the clinic tomorrow. haven't poked mine much, too nervous! I'm 76 and shielding but trying not to worry - no point until I know more. I haven't told my DC and DS yet, and don't know whether Zoom is appropriate for doing it when I know. Good luck, OP hope your appointment on Monday gives you the right result!

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Thanks, all.

I'm now freaking out a bit. I did some googling - and I didn't realise that most lumps are 3cm or less. Mine's at least 8cm.

Don't google.

Obviously, I have decided an immediate double mastectomy is the only sensible option here.

I know it's probably not cancer, but, sheesh, the amount of worry that boobs are going to cause me from here on in - may as well get them whipped off and save the fruitless fretting.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Hope you are feeling better, Wilberforce.


Glad you are ok Weehoo.

Good luck, Stillamum. Don't google! I diagnosed myself with gynaecomastia as well as everything else. Daft.

[Stillamum3]

Thank you vivarium. Went on Wednesday and had biopsy taken. They said it's 3cm and "suspicious" but doesn't seem to have spread to the lymph glands, so will have to see what they say next week when I get the results. It sounds as though it IS cancer though, so I will have to come to terms with the prospect of that. Good luck to you when you go to the clinic on Monday. I musy say, I'm impressed by the speediness of the service. Wales' health service is often considered poor, but I am glad to have been spared a long wait for a diagnosis.

[LordOftheRingz]

I was in this week and they found a area on the mammogram and did a biopsy, they did not say it was suspicious, but it was indeterminate. This is such an awful time waiting for results.

Sorry you are facing this @Stillamum3. my head is in bits.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Good things - if it is breast cancer that's one of the better cancers to get.



So, there is that.

Hang in there, people.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Mine's for no further action. Just weird lumpy boob tissue - probably hormonally related. It is big, so, I've to keep an eye on it. Once I said that it hurt they seemed to relax, said that pain is usually a sign that it's not sinister?

Hope your wait passes quickly for info, Still and Lord.

[LordOftheRingz]

Thats great news.xx

[UncomfortableSilence]

Great update OP, thinking of those whose news wasn't so good

[LordOftheRingz]

@Stillamum3 Have you had your results? Mine came back benign but they want more tissue to totally be sure, so back for another. Was positive on it that it did look benign, on the films. Just going to have a worse biopsy than last time, and hope they address another issue I have.

[Wilberforce1]

@Stillamum3 Hope you're ok x