Can't stop thinking about lump I discovered in my breast

[dreamsiclex]

Hi everyone,

I know there have been loads of these threads because I've been reading them all but I can't find any that describe exactly what I have found.

About 4 weeks ago I discovered a dense area of breast tissue along with a lump in my left breast in the upper outer quadrant area. I immediately panicked but also knew that my period was due in the next few days so instead of making a GP appointment I thought I would wait to see if it would go after my period. It didn't. So I made an appointment to see my GP, she didn't seem concerned at all and said it "just felt like normal breast tissue" and that she couldn't even feel a lump but said she would refer me anyway as it's something out of the ordinary to what I'm used too.

She referred me on the blue non-urgent pathway and fast forward to the Sunday just been I received my letter and booked my appointment for the 14th February.

In the meantime I am riddled with anxiety, I can't think about anything but this lump, I keep prodding and poking my boob to the point I think I've bruised it. I've also completely lost my appetite.

The lump doesn't feel moveable but I can move the breast tissue it feels like it's attached too. It's soft but not completely soft to the point where I would describe it as a grape, more like a piece of orange (if that makes sense). I can't tell if it has rough edge as, what does that even mean?? It's about the size of a kidney bean. FWIW I'm 23. I don't understand how my GP couldn't feel it and it baffles me when I can feel it straight away.

I keep looking at my two year old and tearing up. I'm so scared! Any advice, reassurance? Or even just a hand hold please.

Aw love bless you! Really feel for you here. I had a similar issue a few months ago- I'm 32 btw. Not exactly the same but one of my boobs was so sore for weeks and under my arms, as well being a bit lumpy. I went to the doctors and she said it's mostly likely hormones but they did a blood test just incase and it all came back clear.
I think people associate every lump and bump with cancer but that's just not the case. There's so many other things it could be. Some peoples breast tissue can be a bit more lumpy than others. It could be a cyst, absess which I highly doubt either. You're so young so honestly I wouldn't worry! I get really bad health anxiety too so I understand but just try and stay calm until your appointment. Try not to poke the lump either if you can 😘 your apppointment is in 1 week so not long at all. They will just be checking as a precaution. I highly doubt it's serious x

Thank you @CassieMc I appreciate you're reply. Yes I've struggled with severe health anxiety too in the past and actually went through a really bad stage between 2017 and 2020 but since have been fine and I feel like this has just brought it all back up again.

I hope not, but I just keep thinking of all the what ifs this 1 week is going to feel like a lifetime. Thank you for your reassuring reply, I will probably read it 100 times before my appointment as that friendly voice in my head x

You poor love, it's so frightening

I've had breast cancer - from lump to surgery was faster than you have to wait for your appointment. If there's a tiny concern about a malignancy, they move really, really fast. You'd have been seen by now

Probably a little cyst. (Which might be a big cyst if you keep prodding at it! Leave it alone!!)

Let us know how you get on

Sorry to hear that @Tilllly I hope everything is ok with you now?

That's reassuring to read though. I keep telling myself it can't be a cyst as so many people say their cysts were squishy and mine isn't, but it's not rock hard either. I do need to stop touching it because it's very sore in the area now but I think I keep checking to see if it's still there, which it obviously is

Hello. I know what you mean about the worry - I found a lump in mine while working overseas and had to wait a few weeks to get home and get an appointment. I went from “I think that’s a lump” to “picking out songs for my own funeral” in lightning speed before I got a grip. It helped me to look at the statistics for (a) number of lumps that turn out to be non-cancerous, and (b) cancer survival rates.

Turns out mine was just fatty tissue.

Oh god that's awful Nightingale. I couldn't imagine being overseas and finding something like this, I think I'd of told work I'm on the next flight home!

The statistics are good but I'm very good at convincing myself I'll be apart of that small percentage with the bad news. I wish I could just sleep from now until my appointment.

Thank you for your reply, it means a lot.

The chances of someone your age having a malignant breast lump are honestly tiny. I wont patronise you though because I know how you feel - I've been referred twice, once for bleeding nipple and once for dimpling of the breast tissue. My grandmother died of breast cancer and my aunt has just diagnosed so I know what it feels like. Just try to stay calm and hang onto the fact that the chances are so small. Thinking of you.

Yes, all clear thank you 😊

Like the vast majority of women with breast cancer!!

It's hard not to worry but remember it's a very slim chance it's malignant, especially as your GP was unconcerned. And if it is, breast cancer is mostly very very curable!

Sending lots of reassuring thoughtwaves!!!

I just wanted to update the thread incase anyone reads this in the future for a similar experience.

I had my appointment at the breast institute today - all is well. Turns out I just have very lumpy breast tissue. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders after many days spent worrying and some awful dreams. Im feeling so relieved. Thank you to everyone that replied to my OP x

@dreamsiclex thanks for the update I am so glad all is clear, that's is awesome.

Yay!!! Fabulous news 😊