Just found a lump in my breast

[nellytheoliphant]

Just submitted a form to see my gp.

Very worried. My grandmother had breast cancer quite young.

It is a very distinct lump just above my nipple.

What is my GP likely to do? How do I get through the next few days at work with this horrible anxiety?

Stressed that I have to wait for the GP to get back to me and am tempted to call them.

Any advice?

You've done the right thing. Your GP will contact you, but I can understand the need for a call (I did). They will probably see you and put you on the two week wait. If you have a hospital preference tell them. You then go from there. Most lumps are scary, but not the currently unmentionable. Although, I'm typing this sat in a chemo ward awaiting treatment - worst case scenario, you CAN do this too. There is a lot of support both in the real world and on this lovely nest of vipers.

I’m so sorry, I had this a few weeks ago. My GP surgery gave me an appointment 5 days later which I was initially not happy about but it did actually make me feel better that I didn’t have any other concerning symptoms that would’ve meant an urgent appointment. These are things like nipple discharge or skin changes. My lump was also very distinct and had appeared very quickly which worried me a lot. GP examined me and I was referred to the breast clinic who saw me 6 days later for an ultrasound. The GP said one of the main things they look for is whether the lump feels like you can move it side to side (a good sign) or whether it feels stuck in place

Thanks for sharing. Best of luck with your treatment. Feel very much in limbo.

Thank you. I hope you had good news.

That's understandable. You are doing something about it and you're acting immediately. Good luck.

You have done the right thing. I hope it turns out to be a cyst ( mine was, many are) and can be dealt with quickly, but that isn’t going to stop you worrying until you know for sure.

All I can say is whatever it is you have found it quickly so if it is something nasty then it is more than likely that you have caught it at an early stage so it will be dealt with successfully and relatively easily. So please have a hand hold and some good wishes and I hope your GP is on the ball.

Yes it was just a big cyst 🙂. The GP and first doc in the clinic said benign fibroadenoma but the ultrasound showed the cyst and they aspirated it very quickly and easily. I had never heard of adenomas or breast cysts before so it was all new and concerning, but the letter from the clinic said 8/10 appointments result in a benign diagnosis

Would like to add that my lump was dealt with at a Breast Lump Clinic at a local hospital which was scary but very efficient. About twenty terrified women, most with a supporter, turned up one morning dreading bad news and we were directed round a carousel of consultant clinics , ultrasound, mammograms and a couple of other diagnostics, as the morning went on you could see relief dawning on faces. It was stressful but worth it as it meant you got answers straight away, and in my case my cyst was drained on the spot and has never returned. I hope it is a model that is available in lots of areas.

How did you all cope with work and meetings etc in the meantime?

I understand your worry, OP, but - as others have said - you've done the right thing by contacting the GP so quickly.

When this happened to me, I rang them and begged for a same day /next day appointment, as I was so worried. So it could be worth trying that. (This was 9 years ago though, and obviously now it's not always so easy to be seen quickly.)

I was referred to the breast clinic and I think it was an ultrasound that they did, plus a biopsy. Of course, it was worrying waiting for the biopsy results but I was reassured in the meantime by them telling me that 9/10 breast lumps are benign. (I've noticed a poster above was told 8/10, so maybe stats have changed since mine.)

Mine turned out to be a fibroadenoma, which is benign but they removed it (the lump) just to double check. All was ok.

So, remember the odds are in your favour. & even if it did turn out to be cancer, you've improved the prognosis by reacting so quickly.

Fingers crossed for you. x

Had a text from the GP saying I need an appointment and they will contact me as soon as bookings reopen so am hoping that will be tomorrow

It happened to me, the doctor saw me later that day after I called and I had a call for the appointment at the next day, with the appointment at the end of the week. So super quick! The doctor put my mind at ease and told me all the reasons she thought it wasn’t suspicious, but referred me to the clinic anyway. It was a “one stop shop” type thing where you see the consultant, have the scan and get the results. Unfortunately mine then had to be biopsied, as it wasn’t a cyst, and that was done at that appointment but I had to wait a few days for the results. I was booked in for another appointment that day. It was a fibroadenoma and they told me over the phone within (I think) 2 or 3 days.

Its such a worry, I found 2 lumps just before Easter this year, was seen by GP who agreed it needed to he investigated. I was seen at the breast clinic 10 days later. The wait was awful, I went between its nothing to im dying. I found it hard to concentrate, sleep or eat. My anxiety was in overdrive, I can completely understand how your feeling. I was examined by the breast nurse who didn't feel anything concerning but because I was worried I had a mammogram and ultrasound. It was lumpy breast tissue. I was incredibly relieved. Hang on in there 🙏

I’m just recovering from stage 1, grade 3 cancer. Picked up on a mammogram, then biopsy, then had to wait two weeks for the results.

Lots of treatment last year, but I’m fine now. Recovering well. Live your life normally, meetings etc, nothing is going to change by hibernation. Keep
yourself busy, you don’t need to worry about anything yet, if you do, you take one day at a time.

You’ve done everything right, and you can be glad of that.

The GP will most likely refer you to a breast clinic.

It’s actually more than 9/10, over 95% in our trust, which are benign. That’s of attendances at breast clinic, so all symptoms including lumps. (This is my job!)

So your odds are pretty good OP! Best of luck!

My surgery made me wait a month before giving me an appointment, but then I got a hospital date within a week! I had a mammogram (not painful, just a little bit uncomfortable). The consultant was gentle and sympathetic and the result was clear. I was lucky. And grateful. Good luck OP.

Push hard for that GP appointment, OP. Tell them you’ve noticed changes or are experiencing pain. Once you get referred, everything happens very quickly.

Just remember, referral doesn’t mean your GP thinks you have cancer, it means they think your lump needs to be assessed by experts with the appropriate diagnostic tests, either to find it early, or more likely to rule it out.

Also remember your DGM’s experience is not yours. Treatment of breast cancer has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years.

Good luck.

I have to deliver at a conference next week and run workshops and I just dont want to. I just want to sleep.

I got seen very quickly after the GP appointment. Hopefully it’s okay.

Good luck with this! Most turn out to be nothing to worry about, but it’s a bit worrying because of your grandmas issues. Keep pressuring your GP for an appointment and a follow up. Are you old enough for a Mmogram? If so then call them and get ok asap - good luck

You'll be referred to the breast clinic to be seen within 2 weeks. They're brilliant and will aim to diagnose it immediately. I've had several benign cysts and they're diagnosed and drained same day. Wishing you all the very best for speedy results

Haven't slept a bit. Just checked my boobs again and I have discharge when I squeeze my nipple but only on the side with the lump. Im so stressed. Don't know how am going to get through work today.

I've just spoken to the GP surgery and they've got me down as needing an appointment within one week. This feels like such a long time. They aren't going to call me until Monday or Tuesday.

Call back and say you're so worried, ask for an urgent appt today as you expect you'll need referral to breast clinic and want that done ASAP