I have a lump in my breast. I don't mean to be a drama queen but I need to share.

[tulpe]

I found a lump in my right breast in February. It was small - kind of a lentil/pea size. DH in the meantime has been supportive but encouraging me to see GP. I felt it was probably nothing and felt a bit daft/drama queen-ish to be honest. Checked it again last week and it has grown. I now have an appointment to see GP tomorrow and I am very scared and tearful.

I have always experienced very lumpy/painful breasts in the week before my period is due but this is always there and not particularly uncomfortable to touch etc.

I know there is no use worrying etc etc. It could be a cyst or any number of other options. But I am 38 years old, have two young DCs and just need to confide in somebody else about how crap and scared I am feeling.

[TheOldestCat]

Ah, you poor thing. It's utterly normal to feel crap and scared, even though you know - quite rightly - it's very likely to be a cyst or something not too serious. But please try not to worry unduly before tomorrow; you could make yourself really upset (easy to say, I know).

I hope it all goes well tomorrow.

[tulpe]

Thanks TOC.

I really appreciate your good wishes. And you are right about not worrying too much but you know how it can be sometimes!! I think I just feel a bit foolish for not having acted sooner.

[TheOldestCat]

Of course! It's perfectly normal to be worried, so don't beat yourself up about it.

Yes, you should have gone sooner, but you can't do anything about that now so get thee to the GP and, in all likelihood, they will put your mind at rest. And even if it's more serious (remember, still unlikely - someone posted on MN that 90% of breast lumps people go to their GP with turn out to be non-serious) then you'll get good care. Like I say though, much more likely you'll be fine.

Come back and tell us how you got on.

[TheOldestCat]

Cross-posts with the same sentiments Shineon...!

[Sagacious]

The other posters have said it all really, so just adding my best wishes for tomorrow.

[tulpe]

Thanks all. Those statistics are good to hear

[littlerach]

Good luck.

i had a similar situation in April and it was horrible waiting to find out.

Fortunately everyhting was fine, but I had terrible what-if thoughts in thwe week leading up to appt.

[bebesequin]

Hopefully you will be referred to a one stop breast clinic and all tests and results done there and then- I have been through similar it is the waiting to go which is the worst bit- thoughts are with you hopefully GP will reassure x

[nigglewiggle]

The other good things are that GP's take you seriously and (if you need a referral) it is so well funded that it is all very quick and extremely civilised.

Hope all goes well for you.

[stanausauruswrecks]

Good luck for tomorrow. As Bebesequin mentioned, you should be referred to a onestop breast clinic. If you get an appointment within the next couple of weeks - don't panic - it's the NHS being efficient rather than an indication that it's something serious that needs seeing straight away IFSWIM.

[maisiestar]

Definitely push to get referred to a clinic. I've had lots of lumps (and a family history of breast cancer) that have thankfully always turned out to be cysts - but as one of my doctors said to me "I'm pretty sure it's nothing to worry about, but 'pretty sure' isn't a good enough diagnosis, so I'm referring you to someone who can be 100% sure". So if they fob you off, just keep pushing until you get a definitive answer - 'pretty sure' means that you still spend your time worrying. GPs are not experts and only a specialist can put your mind at rest.

AS other have said, it is VERY rare to get breast cancer at your age - although I know that doesn't help with the not worrying

[tulpe]

I saw my GP this morning. I have an appointment for the breast clinic on Tuesday afternoon.

She said she couldn't make a diagnosis - it could be a cyst - which is a great comfort - but it could be something else too. The fact that she immediately wanted to refer me on was brilliant rather than me hassling for further tests.

Thanks so much for all your replies. It really helped me keep a lid on the anxiety

[macherie]

This has happened to me twice, I found it very frightening, my imagination ran away with me.

But, on both occasions they turned out to be fibroadenomas which were of no consequence. I was referred to the breast clinic, and the first time I had an ultrasound and biopsy(which didn't hurt a bit!), the second time I had a mammogram and ultrasound.

Please try not to worry, it's very likely to be nothing serious.

[TheOldestCat]

Well that's good news - hope it goes well at the clinic on Tuesday and you get reassured by the experts. Come back and let us know how you got on.

[BonsoirAnna]

Please don't worry before seeing the consultant. I accompanied a friend to hospital a fortnight ago who had an emergency referral for a mammogram and consultant appointment. It turned out to be nothing at all - calcium deposits left over from breastfeeding.

[twirlymum]

I had this a couple of months ago. When I went to the GP, he faxed an urgent referral through to the hospital while I was sat there. I spent that weekend worried sick. I got a phonecall on the Monday, and was seen in the breast clinic on the Tuesday. Had a mammogram and ultrasound, and thankfully it was a nodule.
I'm sure it will be fine.

[LadyoftheBathtub]

I've had several breast lumps and been through the rigmarole of having them all checked - no problems so far. Breast cancer is still uncommon at your age (similar to mine) but what is common is your breasts getting lumpier with harmless cysts and fibroadenomas. I know how worrying it can be and I'm giving you a big virtual hand-squeeze - I've been there - but remember that's it's probably nothing, and you will have a huge sense of relief - and even if they did find something, you are doing the right thing to get it checked now and there is a very good success rate with treatment. All in all, the chances you will come out of this fine and healthy are overwhelming.

[tulpe]

You ladies have been fantastic Thank you so much for coming back and checking on me.

DH is being brilliantly supportive and has planned all kinds of adventures for the weekend so hopefully not too much time on my hands to ponder awful thoughts. He is also coming with me to the clinic.

I am definitely feeling more positive anyway. I did go and look at the cancerbacup site to see what to expect from the clinic, tests etc. I've avoided this because googling any condition is bound to bring up all kinds of awful things that you don't want to hear at this stage of investigations. It is such a brilliant site and actually increases your sense of perspective & positive thinking as it gives statistics like only 1 out of 8 women attending a breast clinic has a cancer diagnosis which means....fingers crossed.....I am more likely to be one of the lucky 7.

[bebesequin]

Thoughts with you for Tuesday Tulpe- far better to see the experts than settle for the GP opinion -

[HolyGuacamole]

Good luck for Tuesday tulpe.

I've had 2 different lumps, one was an abscess and the other a few years later I had checked out, the doc told me to go back in four weeks but it had went away.

Consultants in this area (IME) are fantastic. Mine said he was 99% percent my first one was not harmful just by feeling and touching it . I had a biopsy and it came back fine.

And don't worry about any possible biopsy or anything like that because I am the biggest scaredy cat in the world and it was painless, I promise. Took about 5 seconds.

Fingers crossed for you and well done for getting it checked out.

[bratley]

How did it go Tulpe?
Hope everything went well?

[Plonketyplonk]

I hope all goes well for you this afternoon Tulple. I've got my appointment at the breast clinic next week. It's good to hear such positive stories. I can't say it's the most fun I've ever had, being checked and prodded and poked, and a lot of 'don't know' answers.

The clinic was absolutely clear in NOT LOOKING THINGS UP until you have a clear idea of what's going on. Hope you're all clear!

[macherie]

Hi Tulpe, I was thinking of you today, I hope it all went well.