Scared of over diagnosis breast clinic

[ScaredOfOverDiagnosis]

I don't know if I've done the right thing.

I've booked a private consultation with Spire Little Aston to have my breast checked soon.

I had what I think is a lump under my armpit, I can't be sure, it can be an inflamed node. I've poked and prodded it so much now that I don't even know what I'm feeling.
I've managed to make the other armpit hurt as well by poking and prodding that one too for reference!

So, I don't know if I've booked unnecessarily.
I'm now worried about the unnecessary radiation I'll be exposing myself too.
As well as the over diagnosis issue.
Also, I think it was this hospital that had a surgeon doing unnecessary work on women with breast issues - I can't quite remember the doctor or clinic.

I'm die to start IVF and now feel I've messed that up.
I am 42 so the thought of cancer doesn't scare me but the thought the treatment will kill any chances if me having a baby.

I know wished I hadn't booked the breast appointment.

Anyone been to this particular hospital?
Do they push additional extras?
Or am I being a worry wart due to the surgeon that went to court?

Oh ... Mammograms hurt but ultrasounds feel so good.

I honestly don't know how they manage to get men's breasts into a mammogram machine.

I wondered if anyone can shed any light on my issue?
The right breast on a 2d mammogram had a whitish bit showing on the scan. The radiologist wants to send me to a 3d scan. However, he said the ultrasound was clear. Anyone had this 2d mammogram shows something but ultrasound clear therefore, nothing to be worried about?

Also, is it safe to have 3 mammograms in a space of days or weeks?
I effectively had 3 images taken of the right breast and then I'll have to have another mammogram soon, the 3d one.

They will only do an ultrasound for this - or they should, that's what you'd get on the NHS

Hairless armpits are fine but my very detailed instructions said not to wear deoderant so I don't know about weefae's comment. I had lots of whitish bits showing on my mammogram on my right - like a snowstorm in a globe. I am not in the UK and as soon as I was told I had something suspicious in my mammogram I was at a public clinic the next day for more tests and further investigations. It turned out to be just thickened tissue and not cancerous. I hope that gives you some confidence that further investigations can show there is nothing wrong. I have had to have some mammograms redone over the years to get the armpit area in as it's quite hard to do on somebody who is on the skinny side so I've probably had more than the standard number of mammograms with no apparent ill effects. I passed the latest mammogram with no problems.

@ScaredOfOverDiagnosis

Oh ... Mammograms hurt but ultrasounds feel so good. I honestly don't know how they manage to get men's breasts into a mammogram machine.

It’s probably worse for people with big boobs as there’s more to clamp. I’ve been on my tip toes many a time, & just as you think it can’t get any worse they continue to squeeze ya tits to death. I’ve always thought that this cannot possibly be good for you. Macmillan have a brilliant community OP & will answer all of your questions. All the best!

05:14Rangoon

Thank you
You give me hope

I didn't wear deodorant and I did not use shower gel and I did not use any creams etc, went with a very dry body

I am going to ditch the deodorant and see if the lymph node goes down

The white bit, I'll have to have the 3d tomosynthesis thing done as per their instructions

I'm also quite slim / skinny - if that makes a difference to the results

Ive had a letter now to give to my GP.
The letter mentions a small lesion.
Anyone else been told they have a lesion and it's turned out to be nothing serious?

I can't seem to relax about this.
I've been googling to see if I can find mammogram images that were similar to mine but I can't.

Has anyone had a mammogram that showed a white line? A bit thicker than the rest? However, the ultrasound showed nothing, no cyst or tumour? What did that mean in your case?

The vast majority of lesions are benign. My friend had a white line and it turned out to be a crease in her breast tissue from when the mammogram plate came down. It sounds like so far they haven't found anything worrying. They're just being cautious. Make sure you keep on top of your doctors. If you can't get through on the phone. Go down in person snd if necessary speak to the practice manager.

How are you getting along OP? I imagine you can't change gp right? Or go to a private gp ( I'm not sure that's an option in UK though)

09:36madisonbridges
Spire Little Aston told me to go via the NHS route. They wrote a referral letter to give to my GP. The reason for this is they don't have a tomosynthesis 3d machine. However, I can't get a phone appointment with my GP let alone a face to face one and you can't turn up at the surgery due to COVID restrictions.
Anyway, panicking and googling it transpires that Spire Tunbridge Wells does have a tomosynthesis machine, so I'll be going to Tunbridge Wells to have this additional diagnostics done in the new year. Seems a long way off but only a week or so, I'm relieved that I'm getting the further testing done. Now all I have to worry about is the outcome of the tomosynthesis and left armpit axilla inflammation which they will do another ultrasound on in a month's time.

36madisonbridges

I don't think it's a crease.
As they mammogram the right breast twice, second time with a smaller tighter clamp type thing.

13:58IsabelHerna

Hi, I went to a private GP as I know my NHS GP is useless.

The private GP, well he is a breast consultant really then recommended the NHS route as the NHS hospital's have the larger machines, in this case the tomosynthesis.

The breast surgeon wasn't aware that the machine is available via his own clinic but only at the Portsmouth and Tunbridge Wells sites, I'm based in the Midlands.

He has now arranged an appointment with Tunbridge Wells. So, the worry for the GP or NHS is no longer present.
Just the worry about the right breast lesion and the left breast axilla inflammation.

At least I feel in control knowing I can do this privately and then just deal with the outcome.

I avoid the NHS where I can.

Update for anyone going through this in the future ...
Tomosynthesis revealed the white line to be glandular congestion, so nothing serious.
Second ultrasound revealed that the lump had gone down and something must have made swell, I'm convinced it was the triple Mitchum deodorant, must be allergic to it.

So after 3 and a half weeks of stress and worry it was nothing.
Glad of the outcome obviously.

Great outcome @ScaredOfOverDiagnosis. My friend's mother had a lump under her arm and it turned out to be breast cancer. You definitely did the right thing, chasing a definite result.