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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’ve been very stupid with not going to see Dr sooner

91 replies

Shreddiesandmuseli · 19/04/2023 21:49

So I’m 39 and start of the year I noticed one breast was itchy, quite an intense itch, mostly in the evenings. This went on for about 6 weeks and I put it down to wearing maternity bras which are now far too big, months after I’ve stopped breastfeeding. So changed those and then around a similar time the breast itching turned into an intense pain on that same side for about a week. Then another 2-3 weeks later I noticed a lump - at that point I went to see the GP who fast tracked me to the breast cancer clinic.

It’s now 6 weeks later as there were no appointments at this so called fast track clinic and this breast pain is burning all the time and I feel a tugging sensation constantly around the breast. The craggy feeling lump feels worse than ever and I’m sure is bigger. I have an appointment on Friday and I’m absolutely terrified. I’m up in the night with anxiety about it and how stupid I’ve been. I’ve got 2 children aged 4 & 2 and I feel absolutely awful that I could have let this progress without doing anything about it. How stupid have I been? 🤢

yabu - life is busy and it’s not your fault there were no appointments

yanbu - you should have got this sorted sooner and not got into this situation in the first place

any positive similar stories I’d be very grateful! Thanks

OP posts:
Socialdistancechampion · 19/04/2023 21:51

The main thing is you've been seen by a GP and a course of action has been decided. If things are changing go back.

There's no point beating yourself up over ifs buts and maybes.

Wynston · 19/04/2023 21:52

I don't want to vote......i just wanted to offer a hand hold xxx

RelentlessForwardProgress · 19/04/2023 21:54

Its really hard to pay attention to yourself when you've got a 2 year old and a 4 year old, try and be kind to yourself. You're on it now, and I'm really hoping the breast clinic can allay your fears.

FlickFlackTrap · 19/04/2023 21:55

Give yourself a break OP. You’ve got a lot going on with young children and now you’re petrified. You haven’t left it months and months. Wishing you all the best 💐

Cupofteaaa5 · 19/04/2023 21:56

No I don't think you've been stupid. Initially it was just itchy right? I don't think I'd rush to the GP for an itchy breast. Once you noticed a lump you went, and like you said it's not your fault there were no appointments until now. What would have been stupid is ignoring the lump, but you didn't.

Best of luck for your appointment, I hope everything goes well.

Ludo19 · 19/04/2023 21:56

I'm not voting. I think you're being hard on yourself. I'm honestly wishing you good health and I'm hoping it'll be a cyst or something xx

Fozzleyplum · 19/04/2023 21:56

I'm just guessing that those voting YANBU are in fact supporting you, so have intuitively voted YANBU.

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 19/04/2023 21:58

Another who doesn't want to vote. There's no point beating yourself up, you are where you are and you can't change that. It's really common for mums to put their own health last, that's not your fault. Wishing you all the best.

hban · 19/04/2023 21:59

I had pain in my breast and a lump related to breastfeeding.

eventually pain got worse so went doctor who found a lump and referred me under 2 week wait

i did get an appointment quickly but also beat myself up at not acting quicker as the pain had been there for over a year.

in the end there was nothing wrong, no cancer. Some muscle injury they thought. I got told pain usually (but not always) means it’s nothing sinister.

it’s usually nothing and life is hectic and it’s just so hard to fit everything in

hope everything goes well for you x

Thedogscollar · 19/04/2023 22:00

Of course YANBU I haven't even clicked on that as it's not a matter to be voted on. I really hope you get seen ASAP and whatever is going on can be dealt with swiftly. Cut yourself a lot of slack here OP you are dealing with it now.I wish you nothing but the best result 💐

PeraltasWife · 19/04/2023 22:06

You are not being unreasonable. You have done the right thing and are now on your way to getting checked. Try not to worry (easier said than done) and focus on the fact you are dealing with this. Take each day one step at a time and try not to think ahead of what may or may not be. The most important thing at the moment is to go to the appointment and then you can take it from there. Good luck for your appointment and be kind to yourself x

sm40 · 19/04/2023 22:11

I've had sore boobs. Been to see the private consultant 3 times. Nothing wrong, just lumpy boobs.
I had a heart mri last year. They found something dodgy. Had a trip to the breast clinic. It was a cyst. Apparently if they come and go quickly it's a cyst. Also been told sinister boobs don't usually hurt.
I am not a doctor though. But you are doing something about it. That's all that matters. Good luck.

IfDreamsWereWings · 19/04/2023 22:11

I agree with a pp who said it’s hard to look after yourself when your DC are so young. Don’t be hard on yourself, it could just as easily be something minor like a cyst. You are getting it sorted now and that’s the important thing.

jamsandwich1 · 19/04/2023 22:14

don't beat yourself up. You’ve done nothing wrong. I wouldn’t go to the GP for an itchy breast. FWIW it’s very unlikely to be breast cancer if it’s painful. I hope everything is ok xx

Booobs · 19/04/2023 22:14

Hi OP, please try not to worry until you know there’s a reason to, although I realise that’s easier said than done! There are PLENTY of things this could be which are much more common than cancer in young women, and even if it is cancer, breast cancer is in the majority of cases treatable and survival rates are really good these days.

You’ve done the right thing in getting checked and the same as loads people in your position would have done in the sense of watching and waiting for a few weeks (believe me, I work there!!)

Best of luck!

Original poster
Shreddiesandmuseli · 19/04/2023 22:15

Thank you so much everyone, I feel better that what I’ve done isn’t completely stupid. You’re right, mums always put themselves last and life just goes at such a speed it’s hard to juggle it all sometimes. I’m counting down the hours until the appointment on Friday morning and will post an update x

OP posts:
PomRuns · 19/04/2023 22:16

If painful, hopefully a cyst. I've had several (2 removed surgically).
Does the lump feel smooth? Is it mobile?

Namechangeforthis88 · 19/04/2023 22:17

I have twice had a few days feeling the same. On both occasions it was just "warty". No treatment required. I was terrified and went through every scenario in my head. Hugs to you and I hope your mind is soon put to rest. From other comments on the thread it seems there's a good chance it's nothing sinister.

shelbaba · 19/04/2023 22:20

No you went to ur gp as soon as u noticed a lump. I wouldn't have gone for an itchy breast. May have thought about it when it had a burning sensation but also may not have. I hope everything goes well for you at ur appointment 🤞🏻

hannsmum · 19/04/2023 22:20

Don't be hard on yourself OP. I have something quite similar without the lump though which I'm still finding answers to.

Mine came with hives that started appearing on my left breast and disappearing with itching and I felt all kinds of pain and little burning within and outside the breast . This started in January. Went to doctors and the. Breast clinic who did a scan of both breasts which was clear.

Now just last week it's moved to the other breast with a bit of burning so both breasts just pop up with itching and hives randomly and then disappear

I'm concluding mine is from hormones though still worried and I have been referred to a dermatologist for July 😕

The burning you have may just be from the Constant itching and the lump may be a cyst or maybe hormonal considering your age (I'm about the same age as you )

Take a deep breath x

JaninaDuszejko · 19/04/2023 22:23

You started getting an itchy boob in January, and saw the GP at the beginning of March? That's absolutely fine, you're not going to have a different prognosis because of a 'delay' like that. It takes some time to see a pattern in symptoms, if I was to have a slightly itchy boob this evening I'd think nothing of it. If it continued for 6 weeks I'd be changing my detergent and trying a new bra and using antihistamines, I wouldn't think cancer. You've actually responded to a group of symptoms very quickly.

Catshaveiteasy · 19/04/2023 22:27

I think it's pretty normal to go from being mildly concerned about something to deciding to go to the doctor, getting referred and then kicking yourself (metaphorically) for not having gone sooner. I've done it several times and have never had anything serious wrong with me. The 6 week wait is annoying but chances are it's nothing serious and if it is, at least you are on the way to getting something done. Fingers crossed for you.

Elle200 · 19/04/2023 22:28

You've done thae right thing OP by seeing your GP.

I've had breast cancer twice, two different types of cancer, and neither tumour was ever painful like you're describing.

Good luck.

TheFormidableMrsC · 19/04/2023 22:30

I'm really cross that you have had to wait six weeks for something that should have been dealt with in two weeks. However, I can tell that you that it would unlikely make a difference. I've had breast cancer. I was diagnosed 3 days before lockdown one and because of the pandemic, I had my surgery 3 days later. In "normal" times, it would have been six weeks until surgery. I really hope it's nothing, I've had lots of craggy and large benign fibroadenomas.

As an aside, I would always advise ANY changes that are not normal to you to be reported and checked. Even an itchy boob. It's better to check than not. Good luck OP! Flowers

UneFoisAuChalet · 19/04/2023 22:30

No I can vote on this. You haven’t been stupid OP. I’d ‘ignore’ an itchy boob as well - so would many. Laundry detergent, bra, sports bra irritation after workout, new pyjamas, new body cream, the list goes on.

You went to the GP when you discovered a lump.

I wish you all the best and hope for a positive outcome for you.