Another I've found a lump post

[talpiog]

I'm sorry to be posting yet another I found a breast lump, but I really just need to share my worries.

I've had a cyst in my left breast (upper inner quadrant) for 7 years or so, which has never hurts or changed size or shape. It was checked out by a mammogram and so I know it's ok and I've just accepted it.

However, in the last week I've noticed that it's either changed shape or there is something else growing next to it/under it. It now feels like there is a shelf / ledge next to it and feels quite heavy. I'm on HRT these days so I suspect it's just a cyst.

I'm using DHs private healthcare to try and get a speedy appointment but they wont even speak to me until Tuesday.

I'm meant to be working abroad for 2.5 weeks from the end of this coming week, and really don't know what to do.

Chances are it's just another cyst, but should I tell work I can't go until I've had a scan? Or should I just go to NHS GP tomorrow and get on 2 week pathway knowing that I'll have an appointment slot for when I return? Or should I just find a walk in clinic tomorrow and throw some savings at getting a mammogram myself?

Head is a bit of a mess.

If it will put your mind at rest and you can afford it, I’d go privately. I did once and went from terror to relief in a matter of hours. Second time had to use NHS 2 week wait and lost 2 weeks of my life. Both outcomes were fine thankfully.

I agree with @greengreyblue , most private health insurance offers a 'one stop' breast clinic type thing which will be quicker than the NHS, get on to your insurer and ask. Wishing you all the best

I tried on Friday to speak to my private health insurance but they won't even speak to me until tomorrow morning - and I'm meant to be flying out for work on Thursday.

I've found a walk in ultrasound place in central London with appointments for later today so have just booked myself in.

I am pretty convinced it's a harmless cyst but really want to get it checked before I go abroad for 2 weeks with work.

Lots of simple cysts and one complex cyst that they recommend I get biopsied (it was just an ultrasound I paid for so will need to book another time for biopsy).

That’s reassuring OP.! Well done.

Biopsy tomorrow afternoon. I've pushed back my work trip as all feels a bit rushed and not sure how I'm going to feel post biopsy.

I'm staying away from google so no idea if it's sore afterwards and don't want to be hoiking a suitcase and taking long haul flights so just decided to push things back.

I’ve had a cyst and a fibroadenoma. The cyst was drained so that was painless. I had a core biopsy for the solid lump and was painless but a little sore for a day or two. Got results a week later. Hope all is well and you’ll soon be back to normal life.

So had core biopsy today. Took about 6 samples I think. It was quite uncomfortable and tricky because I have dense breasts. Consultant said he could see something and it was very unusual, he could see a mass when looking at it from one angle but not when looking at it from a different angle.

Results in a week, and possibly an MRI and he said he couldn't rule out another biopsy. Couldn't indicate at all what it is / isn't.

Feeling sore and tender this evening. I suspect a bruise will be there tomorrow.

Yes I had a bruise too and several samples taken. They told me from ultrasound it was 99% a fibroadenoma but needed biopsy as it was solid. The lump felt bigger the next day so prepare for that but obviously just swelling. It’s good that they’re being thorough . My sil had something similar in her abdomen that they couldn’t work out . She was sent for scans and bloods but in the end anything sinister was ruled out and it was ok. Hopefully the same for you.

Wondering if anyone can help with a query?

If the consultant didn't say he suspected cancer, do you think that means it's probably not? Having looked at other threads it seems they tend to say at biopsy stage if that's what they expect the biopsy to reveal.

Don’t drive yourself mad op. Only the result will set your mind straight. Every chance it will

Yes, it's trying to calm my mind down. I am going through the appointment again in my head and interpreting the same words in one moment to be laden with gloomy warning and in another moment believing they were perky and upbeat. Honestly, I am giving myself mental whiplash.

I am trying to get my mind to settle into a place of neutrality, which is the reality at the moment.

I'm also writing a list of lovely things I can do / buy over next few days to be kind to myself. Which isn't a bad list to build regardless of circumstances....

And breath...

I’m saying all the right things but I was absolutely in a state of panic both times . Afterwards I thought ‘what a waste of energy. Worry won’t change the outcome . Easier said than done .

It’s impossible to second guess OP. I had a mammogram recently and the lady doing it pulled a really worried face. I asked what was wrong and she said she was checking that the image had taken properly. I spent days convinced that she’d found something. I then received a letter saying that everything looked ‘normal’.

I wish you the best for future appointments.

I have spent the weekend filling it with wonderful treats and feel pretty calm to be honest.

One thing that has occurred to me - because even filling your time with lovely treats your mind still works overtime - I didn't have any markers placed in me. Is that a sign that it's probably not malignant?

Had an update from my consultant this morning. The results aren't back and he is chasing the pathology team for them. He said it's hard to say if it's likely to be benign as the area is indeterminate. Not sure if I should be reassured or not my that to be honest. So guess it's going to float into next week for results now.

So strange, my life is on hold waiting for these results. I'm not able to confirm any work trips or feel like I can make any definite plans. Guess this will all change next week one way or other.

In the meantime another weekend to pack full of nice things to distract myself

Hmmm how annoying. From anecdotal experience, results that have to be chased are usually benign. I really hope that’s the case for you. Keep on distracting.

Keeping fingers crossed for you OP, hopefully no news is good news , but it’s so hard to wait

Got an update from the consultant this morning. He said there as some atypical cells which fall short of a precancerous / cancerous diagnosis but he wants to do further investigations and the pathologists are doing more tests. I have a meeting with him next Tuesday,

So good news I think, or at least more likely that the final news will be good?

Ii’m so pleased you’ve got some more positive news op. Sounds like you’re in good hands and anything that’s not quite right can be dealt with far ahead of the curve.

I’ve had atypical cells on a smear before and they just recalled me 6 months later when all was clear.

Follow up appointment didn't go great. After having another round of tests, they've now said 70 percent likely that it's cancer. Will know more next week with results of second biopsy, but they've said regardless of the findings I am going to have to have a partial mastectomy.

I am in utter shock.

Oh god op what a shock! That doesn’t sound like it’s been handled very well. I bet you’re reeling. On the positive side there’s still a chance it’s not cancer but if it is it sounds super early. So sorry it wasn’t the final discharge .

Thanks. I think I just read into his message what I wanted to be honest, and latched onto what felt hopefully rather than realising it was saying there's something there and they need more tests to confirm what's happening.

That's s tough break OP - on the upside, hopefully it will be very early stage and can be dealt with easily. best of luck to you.