Breast lump

[Worried12345678]

Hello, I'm not sure if I should be posting here as I don't have a diagnosis, but I'm waiting on an appointment at the breast clinic on the 9th September after finding a lump 2 weeks ago. I saw my GP on the 19th, and then again on the 28th (she wanted to see if the lump changed after my period). It's odd because sometimes it's more obvious than others, I initially found it because it was too tender to lay on, but all tenderness has gone now.
I'm 39 with two young children and terrified it's something sinister that's been there ages and I've not noticed. I do have generally lumpy breasts, but this feels different to my normal breast tissue.
I'm not really sure why I'm posting, but I haven't wanted to tell my mum or sisters because we're already dealing with family illness, and my husband must be fed up with me talking about it by now... so I just need a place to offload my thoughts I guess

Try not to worry. I’ve had 4 over the years…all fibroadenomas. And I didn’t tell the kids…no use getting them all worked up about me possibly having cancer. Not fair on them to be on that emotional roller coaster. Good luck—it’s likely nothing, but good you’re getting it checked. xxx

I had a sore lump checked - it wasn't cancer. But it was a very anxious time as my Mum did have breast cancer.
How are you feeling?

I had this and it was a cyst. Went away on its own but it was nice to attend the clinic, get it checked for my peace of mind. Hoping you have a similar outcome

@CowTown I'm hoping fibroadenoma... but mine doesn't feel smooth which I dont think is a good sign.
@Beamur I'm very up and down. Swing wildly from 'it's probably nothing to worry about' to 'what if it's already metastasised'.
So basically I think I'm losing it!

Thanks @Georgethecat1 - did your cyst feel smooth? My lump feels bumpy so I don't think it's likely to be a cyst

I don’t remember—felt like a hard little pebble in my boob.

Totally understandable.
It's going to feel like a long time before you get the appointment. Have you got a friend who you can talk to if you need some friendly support?
Try and remind yourself it's a highly treatable form of cancer when you're feeling despondent. In the worst case scenario.
I have several friends who were diagnosed in their 30's or 40's. All still with us, fit and healthy into their 50's.
Take it one day at a time.

Not really @Beamur because I don't want to burden anyone else. I can talk to my husband though, he's a very calm person so is good at talking me down

Yeah, mines not like this at all. It's oval shaped, and hard to actually get hold of

I didn’t think mine felt like a pebble / I couldn’t get hold of it. I can’t quite articulate how it felt but what alerted me was the pain / discomfort at times. I feel like it felt more like firmer breast tissue

Having been there, OP there is no way you are going to stop worrying or catastrophising until you actually know what it is. You can try distracting yourself but inevitably, you are going to worry.

I've had innocent lumps and one which turned out to be breast cancer. I'd had it a while apparently but it was still well contained and had not metastasised. If, and it is a big if as most lumps are innocent, it is cancer you will be so well looked after that this bit, when you are waiting and not knowing will feel like the worst bit.

But in the meantime just watch lots of crap TV, go out for stompy walks and just be kind to yourself.

@Georgethecat1 mine definitely feels like firmer breast tissue.

@TwigTheWonderKid you are so right, the worst part is I keep thinking about how much life would change for the children, I am here with them all the time. My husband works long hours during the week and they don't see him much. I do the school runs, take them to all their extra curriculars, help out a lot at school with trips etc. That would all change. Definitely catastrophising. And that's where my husband fails to understand as he is a really positive person and just says 'but you don't know, just wait until your appointment and we'll know what we're dealing with'

I've been to the breast clinic before, it was November 2021 and was the same breast but a different area. Last time I wasn't really sure if there was a lump, more a thickening in the upper outer quadrant. This time it is definitely a lump and it's at the 3 o clock position very close to my areola. It just feels really different and I can't shake the feeling that it's bad.

Try not to think about how you’ll cope with cancer treatment. Like I said, I’ve been through this 4 times, and all 4 were benign. I would recommend assuming it’s benign until told otherwise. And if it’s malignant, only then can you start to put together a logistical plan, as you don’t know what days/times you’d need treatment. You wouldn’t be able to put a plan in place now anyway.

@CowTown I know. You are absolutely right. And logically I know this. I can't help it though, if there was a switch I could turn off then I absolutely would, it's just the way my brain works.
I do appreciate your 4 x benign lump experience though, I know these stories make no difference to my outcome but they do make me feel more positive.

Can I join you in your freaky wait? I am in Ireland and don’t even have an appointment date yet. Was so stressed at the GP last week I didn’t think to ask how long I would wait for a scan. I’m obsessively touching it to see if it is changing.

Yes absolutely. Sorry you're in this position too. I hope you get a date for an appointment soon.

Thank you. I hope you get the all clear on the 9th!

I had two cysts together which is why they felt irregular. The majority of breast clinic patients get the all clear. And even if it was cancer, there are so many treatments. Try to use distraction all you can, and accept that your brain is just trying to do its best for you by worrying (even if it doesn’t feel great).

@MySocksAreDotty I have wondered if it's two separate things. It's just so hard to properly feel it.
I'm going to try and leave it alone now - poking and prodding it won't help

@CowTown - what happened to your fibroadenomas? Did they go on their own or did you have to have them removed?

The first 3 disappeared on their own. The dr removed the 4th.

It’s finally September which for me always makes the appointment feel closer when it’s in that actual month. It’s super hard not to drive yourself crazy. I remember crying on the toilet and thinking about my kids having no mum.

If you are really struggling do the three things; try to breath slower, then look around and name
three things you can see, three things you can feel (wind / sofa / hair) and three things you can hear. Wishing you the best of luck for the next few days 🥰

Hi OP, I just went through this. Got the all clear through a biopsy last week, thankfully a fibroadenoma. It was definitely worrying, only my DH and boss knew, but I knew we would be able to deal with whatever the outcome. I still have to have surgery to remove it due to the size. Sending you positive thoughts x

Thanks @Georgethecat1 we're pretty busy this week so thankfully I'm quite distracted. But I will remember that technique.

@HawkersEast so glad to hear you got the all clear. I imagine having the biopsy made you fear the worst. How was the biopsy? I'm going to have to drive myself so I'm hoping it's not too bad if I need one

@Georgethecat1 it does feel better that it's September. And as of tomorrow it'll be only a week away.
I want the appointment of course, but I'm scared to go to it too if that makes sense.