To be terrified I might have cancer?

[Happyland88]

I have 2 Breast lumps in the same area of my breast. I’m 29 years old (was 28 when I found both lumps.

The doctor examined and said she wasn’t concerned (didn’t feel like cancer to her). This was about 6 months ago and I’ve found it hard not to worry even though I was given some reassurance.

One of the lumps feels like it may have got bigger and now I’m terrified.

If I didn’t have my two girls (aged 1 & 4), I wouldn’t want to get out of bed. I’m too scared to make a dr’s appointment. I don’t want this to be cancer. I’ve read that cancer in young women is very aggressive. I want to be around to see my children grow old.

I’m on my own as my husband works away, I’m just so so scared.

We do understand. Most of us have had to take tired grumpy kids someplace, that's just life as a parent. But if my own health were at stake I'd do it 3,4,5 times over. Please, please, please just get on with it, stop putting excuses in the way. This is way more important than difficulty getting somewhere with kids.

Sorry OP but having watched more than one loved one die from breast cancer there is no logistical issue in the world that would stop me getting a scan as soon as fucking possible if I had a lump in my breast. You really need to do the same.

You should have had these seen within 2 weeks at a rapid access clinic. Your GP is a disgrace. See a different GP, cry, scream, do whatever you need to be seen. On the positive side it is likely nothing serious I have had plenty of cysts over the years but PLEASE get them checked properly.

Good for you happyland it took me a long time to learn to drive but I am so glad I did.
Sorry you had such a tough year last year.

Current breast cancer patient here!
So glad you're making appointment tomorrow, absolutely insist on a referral to breast clinic. It can take up to 2 weeks for an appointment (mine was 2 weeks), hopefully your husband is back by then.
Statistics state: 1 in 10 lumps are cancerous.
Please don't make excuses to not make the appointment tmrw. When seeing dr be firm and assertive! Good luck

Breast cancer mum in remission (nearly) here.

Yes it is scary as hell, yes it is unlikely that it is cancer BUT if it is the worst sticking your head in the sand with endless excuses is not going to make it go away.
For the sake of your sanity, your own wellbeing and for your kids get back to the GP, request an urgent referal under the maximum 2 week wait scheme and get some answers. Do not be put off with medical jargon - it is a brave gp that risks not referring.

Whatever the outcome at least then you have something real to deal with - good or bad rather than the demons in your head.
Lots of hugs x

Happyland, look at breastcancercareuk their website is very informative and the online forum has nurses who will chat online. On Monday you can call their helpline too.
Go back to your surgery and see a different GP.
I'm a survivor, I had a mastectomy. You'll be fine, but get seen again and contact bccuk

@Happyland88 - unfortunately I’m in London (Portsmouth for the weekend) and can’t help but if you are at Upavon, I know they have a Welfare officer who will help you get to hospital and with childcare. My friend who is also a nanny lives on the base and she’s had a few problems and the welfare officer helped her.

There is also a local volunteer service that will help if the the Welfare office cannot.

Thinking of you today OP hope you get an appointment this week

Hope you’re getting seen today.

Me too, OP, thinking of you

And breath......
Ok first things first, make that gp appointment. You will not be the first women to turn up with your children. Take books/snacks for them and get yourself seen.
Then you will feel better knowing that you are dealing with it.
The hospital appt for scans will be when your husband is back so transport and childcare can be sorted.

I really hope you're rung the doctor now. Please do it now if you haven't already.

You’ll all hate me, but I bottled it today. I will call in the morning. I didn’t want to write up to tell you all this but I’m doing it as a way of forcing myself to do it tomorrow.

You must do it tomorrow.
My sister is dead from breast cancer because she kept leaving it. If she'd taken action earlier she'd still be alive. The consequences were catastrophic.
Don't bottle it again - so many people have offered support and practical help - no more excuses.

Wishing you the best OP.

What would you do if one or both of your children needed medical assistance, checking, scans or A+E?

I bet you would do anything in your power to get them help. Do the same for yourself please. There are ways around it.

Well done for coming back. That was brave. Now for the next bit.

Would it help to think that you're doing this for your children? If they were old enough and understood they would beg you to make that call.

Tomorrow morning, first thing. Just pick up the phone. Think of Mumsnet cheering you on.

For now, it's just the GP appointment. One step at a time.

onemore - . That must be very hard for her family to bear, even though I can totally understand the desire not to know

OP - please book an appointment. The stats on lumps being harmless are very much in your favour 🤞🏻

OP, by not sorting this ASAP, you are potentially burdening your children with the guilt that THEY were the reason their mother died of cancer.

I’m not going to beat around the bush. If you have a breast lump you go IMMEDIATELY to get it seen to. If not cancer, all will be well, if cancer and caught early, most are very treatable these days.

My mum had 2 separate breast cancers, one in each breast and unrelated to the other. One was pre-menopausal and the other wasn’t. She went to the GP immediately both times and is still here 28 years later. Her sister buried her head in the sand and didn’t tell anyone. Tried to ignore it. Finally went to get it seen to. It was far too late. Luckily my aunt didn’t have children but if she had used THEM as an excuse why she didn’t an appointment sooner, how do you think they would have felt knowing she had died?

Think, OP! No excuses. Just do it. Now.

Can you e mail the doctors surgery and explain, then you can’t back out?

I found a lump, 2 lumps actually, I went to the GP, I was fobbed off. That’s a big part of the reason I’m finding it harder this time. I convince myself I should go, but then I start telling myself that the doctor said it was fine last time. I know I need to go though.

Burying your head in the sand won't help either way. If there's nothing wrong then you're putting yourself through all this stress for no reason. If there is something that needs further investigation then you're wasting valuable time! And neither approach is helpful to your children.

Stop looking backwards to your last GP visit. Look forward to what needs to be done tomorrow and ring your GP! One day at a time

OP, take a deep breath, and get on the phone first thing in the morning.

I was at the breast clinic today, half convinced I too had an aggressive cancer. I am fine. I have a rare condition related to breastfeeding two young kids over the last four years, but it's not cancer and it will go away.

However, the consultant said I had ABSOLUTELY done the right thing in going along and self-referring (I did go privately). What I'm saying is, don't ever allow yourself to be fobbed off. If the lumps have grown, or didn't settle at different stages in your cycle then they need to be looked at again.

These days the majority of breast cancers are totally treatable (permanently), if caught early.

Just do it, OP.

Think of your girls and go. Im sure you'd throw yourself in front of a bus to protect them so you can do this for them too. Do it tomorrow.