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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried this is breast cancer?

81 replies

OhSOconfused123 · 02/04/2022 22:59

Small red rash about the size of a 50p which is boiling hot and extremely painful as there is a hard lump underneath the rash -
Surely this is inflammatory breast cancer?
I rang the doctors yesterday to be told to ring back Monday for an appt as they had none left even though I am crying in agony.
Not breast feeding and haven’t done for years so it can’t be an infection surely.
Terrfied Confused

OP posts:
DontLookBackInAnger1 · 02/04/2022 23:02

I can only imagine how worried you are. Yes, it could be breast cancer. But it could also be a blocked and infected duct. Or an infected cyst.

Have you felt the lump before?

2 days won't make a difference with regards to any diagnosis and treatment. Hang tight, call you GP first thing Monday. They will likely refer you to the breast clinic. Good luck OP 💐

AlandAnna · 02/04/2022 23:10

Oh hugs. Much much more likely to be a cyst. In fact I had to Google what this even was and that told me that it is very rare and usually without a lump.

Flowers
comedycentral · 02/04/2022 23:15

I had something similar and had the same panic as you. I had a very thorough exam and it turned out to be a fungal infections, I didn't even know you could get them on your breasts like that. All cured after some cream for a few weeks. Always best to get checked out. Inflammatory breast cancer is rare thankfully.

tigerbird · 02/04/2022 23:20

It’s vastly more likely to be a cyst or a plain old infected boil, don’t worry! - But you could get cellulitis from a boil (bacterial inflammation of the skin which can be serious); so if it spreads and/or you spike a temp, ring out of hours and and ask to be seen in case you need antibiotics.
It is possible to get mastitis even if you’re not feeding, it’s called non-lactational mastitis and also needs antibiotics.

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 02/04/2022 23:33

The lump feels massive, it can’t have grown within a few days and I hope I would have noticed it before but maybe not as I’ve actually been poorly for months with long Covid.
I’m crying with the pain - codiene isnt even touching the sides.
No temperature but I’ve felt really unwell all week; again I put that down to the constant long Covid symptoms and then this came up yesterday morning Confused

OP posts:
LightSpeeds · 02/04/2022 23:37

It could also be cellulitis or mastitis. Check that the rash/hot area isn't growing in size. If it is or you start to feel unwell with a fever, then get medical advice asap (call 111).

tigerbird · 02/04/2022 23:41

If it came up that quickly, and you’re feeling generally unwell, it sounds like an infection -- if codeine isn’t working you probably need an OOH assessment as soon as you can, sorry OP. If you have long Covid your immune system is probably depleted and it’s more likely for infections to take hold. I’d think it sounds like you need some antibiotics and it checking out ASAP. Hope you can get seen tomorrow morning at the latest. Flowers

Herejustforthisone · 02/04/2022 23:44

IBC usually covers a much larger area of the breast. According to something I read, at least a third. Plus you’ve been otherwise unwell. Don’t rehearse bad news, which is unlikely anyway, just push for a breast clinic referral and try to not dwell on it. I know that’s easier said than done.

Herejustforthisone · 02/04/2022 23:44

Cellulitis? Sorry, just another thought as you’ve been unwell.

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 02/04/2022 23:53

This is a major problem as I’m always always feeling unwell.
So it’s so hard for me to unpick what’s going on.
I think I’ll have to find a walk in place tomorrow as the pain is getting worse and I can’t lie down at all without the throbbing making me want to get back up.
I’ve had sores on my feet since Covid that just won’t heal no matter what so I guess cellulitis could be an option - it was just so so sudden to come on.
Thank you for the replies - I’m so worried I’m going to be unwell forever it’s hard to see clearly

OP posts:
AllTheWeetabix · 02/04/2022 23:58

Sounds like infection

MrsEricBana · 03/04/2022 00:03

You poor thing! I have no medical knowledge at all but that sounds much more likely to be an infection. I agree get it looked at sooner if you can't even lie down. Can you ring 111 for advice if you're in agony? Flowers

Camdenish · 03/04/2022 00:08

I had inflammatory breast cancer. Mine didn’t really hurt. It was swollen and hot and I had a temperature but I don’t remember pain. Still get it checked though, but worry less!

Flowers
Josette77 · 03/04/2022 00:21

It sounds like an infected cyst. I would go to emerge and they will drain it and put you on antibiotics. I have never breast fed and this happened many times.

WhackingPhoenix · 03/04/2022 00:41

Far more likely to be an abscess with those symptoms! How do you feel in yourself?

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 03/04/2022 00:46

I feel achy all over but yesterday I felt like I had full on flu and had to go to bed at 8pm.
Today the pain is much worse but I don’t feel quite as bad in myself:
The long Covid I have is like this though - every day I can feel completely different to the next.
Thanks so much for replying; I’m going to go to the walk in first thing in the morning I think:

OP posts:
NerdyBird · 03/04/2022 00:51

I had something similar, but without so much pain and I didn't feel unwell. The Dr said it was mastitis and gave ABs. It drew up into a big boil and burst. Do get it looked at.

Whoam · 03/04/2022 01:14

Hi, I had a breast abcess in October and was told by my gp to go to A&e so that they can refer me to breast clinic. My left breast was hot and hard underneath skin. I'm 40 & not had children. I had a mammogram and ultrasounds to check for cancer and it wasn't. So please try not to stress yourself to much

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 03/04/2022 01:37

Thank you, I will go to the walk in first thing when I can get the kids looked after and then onto a&e if needs be.
It’s so sore even a diazepam hasn’t bloody touched it now! Codiene tried this afternoon and nothing and was really banking on the diazepam having some effect but it’s so so so sore.
The lump feels like it’s getting bigger every time I check it - I’m trying not to but it’s driving me crazy

OP posts:
Icepinkeskimo · 03/04/2022 02:14

Aww it sounds like your in immense pain, and yes as others have said it could well be an abscess, which are right up there on the pain scale. It's the type of pain where you feel you could put your head through a brick wall.

My poor mum had this and went through hell, please get some help asap. It sounds like the pressure is building up adding to the pain.

Try soaking some cotton wool or a cloth in warm water and holding it over the area this can sometimes help with the pain and if it is going to burst the heat will draw it up to the surface. I know it sounds horrible but the sooner it is out the better.

MrsEricBana · 03/04/2022 08:04

How are you OP?

Original poster
OhSOconfused123 · 03/04/2022 09:16

I finally got to sleep at 6am and have just woken up with it throbbing.
I’ll do the warm cloth thing now - it’s really awful and to be fair does feel like when I had a dental abscess, a lot of pressure almost.
I can’t get childcare until early evening but at least then I’ll be in no rush and if the walk in centre send me to a&e I won’t have 3 kids having to come along Hmm

OP posts:
Whoam · 03/04/2022 09:49

@OhSOconfused123

I finally got to sleep at 6am and have just woken up with it throbbing. I’ll do the warm cloth thing now - it’s really awful and to be fair does feel like when I had a dental abscess, a lot of pressure almost. I can’t get childcare until early evening but at least then I’ll be in no rush and if the walk in centre send me to a&e I won’t have 3 kids having to come along Hmm
They will most probably give you antibiotics and then I had to get referred by A&e to the breast clinic, which I went too and I had a scan and ultrasound and they drained. Hope this has eased your worries a bit. Please do get checked out as I left mine too long and it burst and I was treated for sepsis.
CounsellorTroi · 03/04/2022 10:17

@WhackingPhoenix

Far more likely to be an abscess with those symptoms! How do you feel in yourself?
I was also thinking abscess. I had one high up on the inside of my thigh and the symptoms sound similar.
tigerbird · 04/04/2022 00:02

How have you got on today, @OhSOconfused123? I hope you’ve been seen and a feeling a bit better Flowers

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