To be worried this is breast cancer?

[OhSOconfused123]

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

I’m so sorry you have the extra stress of a journey before and after your scan.
Will your DH be travelling with you?
I’m really hope you’re managing to relax - I’ve been drinking a large glass of wine each night to switch off enough to sleep

How did your appt go?

I am really confused and today the redness has completely gone along with the burning pain - does this mean the antibiotics have started to lessen everything because it is an infection rather than cancer?
It’s so hard to know what’s going on - I can still feel the lump which is tender but it’s not the same hot swollen mess it was this time last week

Fingers crossed for you OP - it sounds really positive that the pain and redness is reducing! I hope this means that the antibiotics are working and indicates that it’s an infection rather than anything else. @SirVixofVixHall sending you all positive thoughts and vibes too for your appointment! xxx

@OhSOconfused123

I am really confused and today the redness has completely gone along with the burning pain - does this mean the antibiotics have started to lessen everything because it is an infection rather than cancer? It’s so hard to know what’s going on - I can still feel the lump which is tender but it’s not the same hot swollen mess it was this time last week

That’s a relief OP!

I’ve been on the 2 week referral pathway twice and it’s insanely stressful. You just have to remember that in all likelihood it’s something completely benign and unsinister! I was told that 90% of two week referrals end up being nothing to worry about so the odds are in your favour plus your symptoms are lessening.

One of my 2 week referrals was for a non aggressive skin cancer which was whipped off 10 years ago with no further problems, and my other was completely clear. So it’s hugely worrying but in all likelihood it will be nothing to worry about!!

@OhSOconfused123

How did your appt go?

I had a mammogram and an ultrasound and all looked ok. I still have some mild redness and pain but it isn’t as bad, there is no obvious reason for it, but I may need antibiotics. It sounds as though yours is responding to the antibiotics which means it is not inflammatory breast cancer. My friend had IBC (misdiagnosed as mastitis for a month or so) and it does not improve with antibiotics.

Your redness going is really good news.

@OhSOconfused123

I am really confused and today the redness has completely gone along with the burning pain - does this mean the antibiotics have started to lessen everything because it is an infection rather than cancer? It’s so hard to know what’s going on - I can still feel the lump which is tender but it’s not the same hot swollen mess it was this time last week

Obviously nobody can say for certain but it most definitely sounds that the abx are doing their job and you've had an abcess.

All good, positive signs!

The lump will be more prominent and tender for absolutely ages after the biopsy. Great news the pain and redness is reducing.

Thank you for all your kind responses.
I just hope I get the call tomorrow as it is ruining my Easter holidays.
I’m trying to be positive and distract myself as best I can

Very pleased your mammogram and ultrasound was clear!

So pleased to hear that your scans were clear @SirVixofVixHall!

@OhSOconfused123 - did they give you a phone number for the breast clinic specialist nurse? I was getting very stressed waiting for my MRI results on a Friday afternoon, and in the end I rang the specialist nurse and she was lovely and gave me the results over the phone and said a clinician would call on the Monday to confirm if they wanted to do anything further.

Keep us updated but I’m very glad that it all seems to be reducing!

Hi, yes they did so I was going to give them a call tomorrow late afternoon if I haven’t heard.
Thankyou

Thank you OP and everyone for the kind comments. It is a relief.
OP I hope you hear tomorrow. Waiting is horrible.

I’ve been asked to attend next week
This can’t be good news can it

I would get that out of your head tbh. Just go. No expectations. See what they say.

I have been where you are OP, it doesn’t mean it’s cancer, but it totally wrecks with your head reading into everything. It’s hard x

The only other option was an abscess and surely they wouldn’t ask me to come in for that
It’s at a main hospital instead of where the breast clinic is actually held so that’s also very worrying

What makes it even worse is that my first day back at work is the same day as my appointment so I’ll have to try and hold it together for my class until my appointment after work

I feel so so sick
I thought the redness and hot feeling decreasing with the antibiotics was a good sign - maybe not after all

You’ll make yourself incredibly unwell but overthinking and second guessing everything. It is an awful burden but I would just try and take each day as it comes.
As it stands - you know nothing until they speak to you.

I've been on the two week pathway once, when I was 20. I turned out not to have cancer but it left me with genuine trauma and health anxiety because of how stressful it was - so be kind to yourself, it's utter utter shit and even trying to remember how I felt during the waits brings on the start of a panic attack.

Are you normally called in if it’s not cancer though?
Surely that’s a real waste of NHS resources?

@OhSOconfused123

The only other option was an abscess and surely they wouldn’t ask me to come in for that It’s at a main hospital instead of where the breast clinic is actually held so that’s also very worrying

If it was cancer I'm pretty sure it'd be held in the breast clinic. Abscesses aren't a minor thing they can be quite dangerous so a follow up would be procedure.

However - if you're really struggling mentally, call them again and ask them outright. They can do this, they're your results. (I've had cancer and had to go through this, I totally understand the mental trauma it brings, you have my total virtual handhold) xxx

I’ve just called back and the receptionist said she doesn’t have access to the results so can’t tell me anything even if she wanted to - no idea if this is true or not.
I questioned the location and she said both are used - it’s just dependant on where the consultant is based that day.
So not much help there

They are extremely cautious with breast issues - thank goodness - and the fact they have called you in is neither here nor there tbh. It's so hard, I've just been through the clinic myself and it is agonising.