Terrified, pelase hold my hand

[ScatteredMama82]

So I’ve found a lump in my breast, and I’m having really odd sensations in it like a tingling/burning feeling. I’m 40. My Mum was diagnosed with NC at 48 and 4 years later she was dead. I’m a wreck, I have a GP appointment this afternoon to start the process of getting checked out but I am terrified. I’m shaking, I’m imagining telling my kids I’m dying. I’m so scared. DH is working away and has a long drive home, I haven’t told him yet as I don’t want him to worry.

Sending lots of luck xx

Good luck!! Hopefully the GP can put your mind at rest and fingers crossed it’s nothing to worry about xx

Another hand hold. The chances are it's nothing sinister, the vast majority of lumps and bumps aren't and you are doing the right thing getting checked out, because ignoring these things doesn't make them go away.

If it does turn out to be something else....a couple of years ago I had a lump that did turn out to be BC. Total shock, was not expecting the tests to come back with that result, no family history etc etc. Had the full buffet of surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. I am still here and am fine and as of yet have not had to tell my kids I am dying and hopefully won't have to for many many years yet

I don't have much to add, other than good luck, and sending best wishes xx
The treatments are hugely improved now, and prognosis far better than even 20 years ago, I know it must be terrifying, but you're doing the right thing xx

I also wanted to say I am so sorry about your mum, and I didn't mean my last post to sound flippant. Treatments are coming on in leaps and bounds, and the fact is that even now the majority of women who are diagnosed with BC, even with triple negative, go on to survive.

But remember it's highly highly likely to be nothing anyway xxx

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Can you just have a stiff drink to calm yourself? (sorry non-drinker here).

Just a handhold here op

Sending you lots of love OP ❤️

Hand holding from here, good luck at the docs!

Another hand hold. And a huge cup of tea. Good luck this afternoon.

Sorry that you are going through this OP. I have just been in the same situation. For all of that time my stomach was in a nasty tight knot. It is horrible and scary but things that helped me were:

Telling people who you want to tell and who you think can be supportive in the way you want them to be.

Staying away from people you don't want to tell or who will want to support you in ways you don't want them to.

Remembering that the vast majority of lumps turn out to be non cancerous.

Even if it turns out to be worse than you hope, remember that treatment for this is excellent and with excellent outcomes these days

Do what you need to do to keep yourself calm. For me this was abandoning the no carb diet for a week.

Be good to yourself OP

Good luck. Try not to panic (impossible, I know!) It's very likely to be nothing sinister.

Maybe take the opportunity to talk through your family history and ask how often you should be screened throughout your 40s and 50s. This might help to keep your mind at rest in the years to come

Good luck op. Hope it’s all fine for you xx

Hope it all goes well, massive hugs . You have done the right thing. I have my driving test on Thursday and am terrified, but reading your post has put things into perspective.

Hand hold from me OP. Hope you get a clear next step agreed this afternoon x

Sending lots of positive thoughts and strength. Well done on making that appointment

Busy your hands, make a cup of tea/give a friend a call.

Like some other PP here I also had a cyst, I lived abroad though and I could go and pay for an ultrasound there and then. Here you have to be referred by the GP for almost everything

You’re doing the right. Your GP will want to know how long it’s been there (if you know) whether it’s changed at all, whether there any changes to your skin on your breast, nipple discharge or changes in your nipples. They’ll want to examine both breasts and underarms to check for any other lumps and to help them decide what to do next. If they are sure it’s harmless (like a blocked duct as pp mentioned) then they’ll sort out the treatment you need. If there’s no obvious explanation as to why the lump is there they will probably refer you to your local breast clinic. They will probably refer you on something called a 2 week referral or 2 week pathway. This means you should be seen by the breast clinic in the next 2 weeks. Where I work this is a one stop clinic where women are seen by a specialist, any tests needed are done (such as a mammogram or ultrasound) and the results are given on the same day.

It’s normal for you to worry, so I won’t say don’t worry. But the 2week pathway exists so that women can be seen and assessed quickly and those that need treatment for breast cancer can get started as soon as possible. I’m a female GP. I’ve lost count of how many women I’ve referred to the clinic, but I can count on one hand how many have come back with bad news. Good luck for this afternoon, be gentle with yourself.

Sending love to you. I'm sure you will be fine, lump doesn't equal death, especially not these days.

Worry your husband. You need him and that's what he's for.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What @muststopfaffing said. I'm also a female GP. I probably refer one woman a week to the 2 week wait breast clinic. Only three of them, so far, have turned out to have cancer. The vast majority of lumps are benign, so don't panic until you at least know whether there's something to panic about.

Another handhold from me. Great advice from pp. You are definitely doing the right thing.x

I had this just before Christmas
It was a whole collection of cysts- still there now
It was a weird and scary few weeks waiting for the breast centre appointment but the odds are really high that it'll be nothing to worry about and remember that even if it is something 'bad' the treatment these days is excellent and survival rates are high
Try not to soend the time waiting worrying - easier said than done I know - I had to go through Christmas and new year with it and had to put it to the back of my mind so as not to ruin Christmas

RightOcciputAnterior

Thankyou for coming on that's very reassuring insight of the reality from someone who as you say refer one a week.

It's hard to picture what statistics mean in reality but you have given an easy to understand example on what the statistics actually look like in real life.

Sorry it's not my thread but I found you post helpful.

I am so grateful to all of you for holding my hand today. I got through work by popping back on here and taking lots of virtual hugs. I've been to the GP and she has referred me to the breast clinic. I'll write more later when the kids are in bed but I just wanted to say massive thank you to all for posting and supporting xx

Another hand (a bit late but can hold it tonight).

Hope the appointment at the clinic comes through super quick.