Breast lump/swelling

[nye11111]

I need some advice to stop scaring myself. A few months ago I had what I thought was dried blood in my bra, didn't really think anything of it, no pain no other symptoms.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago I was in a lot of pain in my left breast l, red, hot to touch, could barely more my arm, even a bra or clothing hurt when it came into contact with the nipple area.

I went to the doctors was seen within the hour, and she felt a lump. I always check myself regularly and have never felt anything and still can't. She put me on a course of antibiotics and told me if it gets worse to go to hospital as I may need it draining. But she wanted to see me again in 2 weeks.

Went back today and she said there is still swelling in the breast and she was going to give me another course of antibiotic. But I said I still have a lot left to take until next week. So she now wants me to finish these and go back next Monday and if it's still there she will do a 2 week wait referral.

I keep thinking if she thought it could possibly be breast cancer then she would of already done the referral? But what if is is something sinister and we are wasting time. I've got to wait 6 days and I feel like I'm going out my mind.

Any advice or anyone had similar?

I don't know sorry, but in your shoes I would push for the referral now, not in 6 days time.

A family member works in a surgery so she is going to speak to a GP there and find out if they had a patient like would the refer straight away. My GP said last week if it wasn't cleared by today they would refer but now they are pushing it back again.

So sorry you're dealing with this. I would demand the 2 week referral immediately. And hope that everything is clear

Hot, red, painful, discharge? Sounds like mastitis or an abscess to me. Hope the antibiotics start working soon.

Apparently only something like 1% of breast cancer has pain associated. It definitely sounds like an infection. Were you seen quicker than 2 weeks or slow in taking the ABs?

I have had two infections in both breasts which were solved by antibiotics. The second time the first antibiotics didn’t work so replaced by stronger dose. That was successful. I was told to keep a close eye on any further problems.

This does not sound like breast cancer AT ALL but it sounds a lot like mastitis or similar. This is why your GP has not referred you .

There's no discharge, just some dry blood in bra a few months ago. Then it was feeling hot, red and very painful. The doctor has put down as matisis. But I thought they would of done a referral now that it still hasn't cleared with the antibiotics. But I do have a few days left.

I was seen by a GP the week before Xmas, started antibiotics and booked another appointment for 2 weeks later which was today. It's not cleared and it hurt when she grabbed something between her fingers. I never knew you could have pain with BC, a woman I worked with her breast was painful and she had BC that's why I'm thinking more into it I think.

That's good to know thank you. Could you feel a lump too? Did you have the same symptoms?

I'm in my early 60's so didn't think I could get this or at least was very low risk. The doctor has said the first time she thinks infection but didn't mention matisis. Tonight she said the swelling is still there and she was going to give me another course of antibiotics but I still have a few left from the course she gave me the first time.

Did you take the first course properly? Sounds like she didn't expect you to have any left but you do?

Sounds like the GP is following the correct course. You need to finish your antibiotics. She will likely give you a different set if they don't work. Then she may refer you but if she referred everyone with these symptoms (of an infection) to the two week pathway, the system would collapse and nobody would be seen for months.

Yes I started taking the day after I was prescribed as the chemist was shut before I left the surgery. I started them the same the next day , taking the correct amount.

Same symptoms and large painful red lumps both times, said to be mastitis. I am 70 and they said it was unusual. I wondered if it was due to low immunity after Covid, but was told likely to be from a skin problem, like insect bite. In one breast I know I have a benign cyst type thing, but I am not sure it was related. First one antibiotics worked but had to go back twice with the second one for extra dose. Told that I was definitely right to return. Could lead to sepsis if not dealt with quickly.