Mum has pain and a lump

[LookingForAHandHold]

Hi everyone,

Just looking for a handhold really as my mum has given me devastating news tonight.

She's had pain in her breast for about two weeks now, she's gone to the doctor and while she can't feel a lump he's felt one and sent her on the two week wait pathway for a mammogram at the hospital.

I'm only in my 20s, I'm terrified and just want to cry. I can't lose my mum 💔 just looking for some reassurance or any positive stories really.

My breast pain was due to two benign cysts. But of course I had to have tests to rule out cancer as the cause. That's just how the process works.

Yes, this whole ordeal is very stressful and anxiety provoking, especially for your mother. Try to stop spiralling. You aren't helping anyone including yourself. And I don't mean that unkindly; the mere spectre of cancer can be terrifying.

Can you call one of the cancer charity helplines? You might get information that will calm you or give you some perspective.

Best wishes to your mother; I hope she gets good news very soon. Take care.

It's just so hard.

This is the first real cancer scare in our family. We don't have a history of breast cancer so that's kind of a reassuring thing I guess? The last time cancer was mentioned in our family it was a terminal diagnosis.

To be honest I think I have some form of PTSD regarding my nan's diagnosis and death. I think (I think this might be a childish hope) that this could be some sort of muscular thing. She said it's more pain in her armpit, I know they take it all very seriously but it's just so overwhelming

I know it's stressful for her. I'm not saying any of this to her. I'm being normal with her. I'm just so scared.

Thank you 🩷 I'm glad your mum and sister are doing well 🩷

It’s normal to be referred on the two week pathway for any sort of breast lump. It doesn’t mean the GP is concerned. It just means that every lump warrants further investigation.

I was referred recently and had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Cyst on one side and fibroadenoma on the other. Both are much more likely than cancer.

I had a painful breast lump - pain, particularly if acute, is usually a sign of infection, which mine was. It was an infected cyst which left a huge wound and almost sent me septic - still have a dent in my boob where it was!

They still mammogramed me/ultrasounded on the 2 week pathway and all was fine.

Take some hope from the fact that it's not always bad news.

@Jellycats4life @Vintagevixen thank you both 🩷 she said it started a couple of weeks ago and around that time she had a bit of a cold so maybe it's some sort of infection

OP can I suggest you have a look at the survival rates for breast cancer. Even if the diagnosis is bc, many women live for many years and live healthily after diagnosis. The women I know who have been diagnosed with bc have their treatment and then get on with their lives. Obviously this isn’t always the case but you really are catastrophising to be imagining the worst possible outcome.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/survival

Thanks

I can't deny I am panicking, like I said in another comment I think it's because of the rapid progression of my nan. It sounds like this pain is really new so hopefully it is just an infection or a cyst or something and this will all be done and dusted by Christmas

I recently had breast pain that was ongoing for weeks. I saw the GP and got a two week referral. At the clinic I was only seen by a nurse who said I had a big lump and was referred for a mammogram. This didn't materialise so I went privately and was seen by a consultant who immediately informed me that it was torn chest muscles. I had a mammogram to double check and there was no lump. The only treatment was a change of bra and a breast reduction. I tried lots of bras and now have some that have got rid of the pain completely. I'd love a reduction but can't afford it.

Thanks, I do think it could be muscular as she's been doing a lot of exercises lately but obviously the doctor is worried!

Trying to stay calm in that she seems fine in herself and this pain is very new.

Her appointment is on Thursday it feels like it's moving so fast, and like we're going to be hit with bad news just before Christmas, again

I doubt if the doctor is really worried.
They have to refer lumps on the two week pathway.
You're catastrophising.

I literally can't stop it. She's older (60s) and the thought of her being sick terrifies me, because of everything that happened with my nan

OP, I can feel the anxiousness in your posts, but please, please stop spiralling. You will only make yourself feel worse.

Cancer is not a death sentence anymore and it's very likely not to be cancer anyway.

All lumps / pain are put on a 2week wait for an appointment.

I had an appointment a couple of years ago because I had pain ( no lump ) and although Dr wasn't concerned, they do rush them through.

I went and was fine.

Best of luck to your Mum x

I have been where you are - terrified at the prospect of my mum's lump being breast cancer. She was 73 and still working and I just couldn't imagine her being ill. In my mum's case it turned out she did have cancer, even though we had been reassured that the lump was soft, so less likely to be a tumour. She had treatment. It was tough. But she survived. The cancer didn't come back and she died of something unrelated at 90 last year. Her younger sister (64 at the time) was diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time and remains fit and healthy at 82.

So, while I really do hope that it isn't cancer, please don't despair if it is, as the treatments now are incredible. I won't tell you not to worry though, as I know that is impossible

Thank you 🩷 I really think it's because of what happened with my nan, she was gone so fast after her diagnosis. It's terrifying

I am sorry about your Nan; it's hard to lose those we love at any age.

But I think you would benefit from some counselling. If your mother is in her 60's I'm assuming your Nan was probably in her 80's when she passed. A therapist might be able to help you with gaining perspective on aging, illness, death and coping with loss.

Again, I'm sincerely hoping that your mother receives good news very soon. I also hope that you are able to get some professional help with your anxiety. Take care.

@CulturalNomad I did have counselling after she passed, but the therapist just brushed it off as grief and said it was normal. I don't really know where I'd start, would it be with my GP?

The waiting is awful. But as others have said most referrals on the two week pathway are not cancer. And even if it is, it is very treatable. My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s, in 1998. It has come back now but she has had 25 christmases since then and plans to enjoy this one.

I just had a chat with my mum and she said that basically, the doctor has told her that very rarely pain in a woman of her age can be a cyst or a blocked duct, but it's most likely cancer 😔

OP, I was also told this last month. I had a lump, discharge from my nipple and horrendous pain around the area of the lump and into my armpit. I am post-menopausal so the usual culprits (mastitis or an abscess) are less common than in younger women. I was put in the two-week pathway, and was also put at the top of the cancellation list. My GP told me outright that she was very concerned about inflammatory breast cancer.

I had an appointment two days later, and was fully expecting to be given bad news. It turned out to be glandular tissue that had become infected. Absolutely nothing to worry about at all. It’s cleared up now.

I was told at breast clinic that 90% of lumps that they see are benign. The odds are in your Mum’s favour. I hope it all goes well and you can both relax and have a lovely Christmas.

I had a very painful breast and a lump that did turn out to be breast cancer. I also had dimpling if the breast and a nipple that was inverting.Both symptoms which left my gp in no doubt as to the cause. I had a mastectomy , chemo and radiotherapy. It was 20 years ago and Im as healthy now as I would be if I never had cancer.
Best of luck to your Mum (and you ) for her appointment . No matter what the outcome she will have plenty of information and support.

Thanks everyone. Trying really hard to stay positive, and doing things like going to the gym because it's good for my mental health and it'll help me relax. It's a horrible wait

Had an emotional day today. She keeps saying she feels fine, but this has really triggered something in me, like I just want to keep her safe and away from everything. Feels like the next 48 hours will be the worst and then at least we'll know.