Breast cancer referral

[Pumpkinfrost]

Hi all,

First time poster here, apologies if this is in the wrong place or a garbled mess because I am honestly a nervous wreck.

After discovering a lump in my neck in July (which was proven benign after biopsy) I have been a mess health wise. My GP has been an absolute saint and tolerated the numerous visits I’ve had since then, lots of blood tests and scans have come back clear, but on Monday I was referred via the two week pathway as my left nipple has been red and inflamed and hydrocortisone and my usual psoriasis cream have done nothing to help. There’s no discharge, it isn’t itchy that often but it is bright red and super sore and sensitive and I can’t bear anything to touch it. The side of my breast has ached here and there and there’s a general tight feeling in the side. When my GP examined me they couldn’t feel any lumps, see any swelling and there was no pain when they palpated the breast so they said they would refer me just to be on the safe side.

I’ve convinced myself it’s cancer, specifically Paget’s because I don’t see why any of the creams wouldn’t work if it was something like eczema or psoriasis, and it’s a constant battle to not constantly cry my eyes out, as pathetic as it sounds. I’ve got a little boy and I’m just terrified that I’m going to die and leave him. I know nobody can diagnose me on here but I would love a hand hold or to hear any similar experiences. Thank you ❤️

I can hand hold. I went to my GP this morning too as I’ve noted a lump and some dimpling on my right breast.
we could both have a whole host of issues that don’t necessarily mean it’s cancer.
I know it’s hard but work towards the appointment and try not to escalate straight to cancer. I am more aware of women who have experienced similar and it’s been noting of concern, than I am of women who ended up terminally ill with cancer. I am holding your hand x

*nothing of concern , not noting

have been through breast cancer though not the type you are concerned about. I'm also not medical. BUT I can relate to the anxiety and implications over something like this.

I can recommend Macmillan who I both phoned and joined the forums. We also had a local cancer support charity run out of a building near the hospital. There may be something near you?

All I can say is honestly cancer treatment has come along a long way.
Anxiety - talk to Macmillan they have nurses you can talk to.
Try not to worry - easier said than done but until you know exactly what your dealing with it is a lot of energy spent speculating. Don't go down the route of Dr Google.

Anxiety is also normal!

There is a lot of support out there should the time come that you have a cancer diagnosis confirmed - again Macmillan is a great signposting service. You will be assigned a cancer care team if that time comes, talk to the nurses and specialists - they are the experts.

Remember too that a woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water!

You got this. No matter if you have it or not, you will find a way to* *get through it. If you have supportive friends and family great if you don't there are genuinely supportive people (and services) out there. I found out who my true friends were for sure and glad for it. I cut a lot of unsupportive people out of my life and am happier for it. The ones left are the good ones.

I wish you all the very best with this.

Jeez op I could have written the same word for word opening! I am I'm a similar boat but my breast goes bright red and has a sharp stabbing pain. But this all started from a lump neck. Never biopsies but just checked on an ultrasound. My app is tues for breast clinic. I hope yours goes well

@LoudSnoringDog thank you for the hand hold! I really hope there’s a positive outcome for you. I know you’re right, but as you say it’s just so hard not to escalate. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

@Guttermann666 I’m so sorry you’ve had experience in this but thank you so much for your helpful response, I’ll definitely try to keep all of this in mind. You’re absolutely right about Google! You sound like you have so much positivity ❤️

@Arthurnewyorkcity I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through this. The waiting is so hard isn’t it, one minute I can almost convince myself I’m overreacting, the next I just want to crawl into bed and not come out. I’m glad you’ve got your appointment booked in and I really hope it goes well for you. I’m still waiting for my appointment confirmation, the booking lady said she’s likely going to call me tomorrow or Friday to arrange it.

I was treated for breast cancer last year. I think the waiting at the start was the worst bit, because you don't know what is happening. Hopefully you get an appointment through and will have some answers fairly quickly. Don't Google, try to keep yourself distracted and try not to worry. I know all of that is easier said than done (I've been there!) but before you know it you will have been to the clinic and then hopefully it's nothing. Most referrals don't end with a cancer diagnosis, and I hope yours doesn't too x

@SunnyValemin thank you for your reply, I hope you’re doing okay now after your treatment? I had a phone call earlier to book an appointment for tomorrow afternoon, the lady said it was just for an initial consultation whereas I was under the impression it would be a full appointment with scans and such so not sure what to think now but at least the ball is rolling.

Hello, I'm still on lots of targeted treatment but generally fine. Back to work and trying to make up for the year I lost last year to the hospital.

At my first appointment it was described as an initial appointment but I saw the consultant who examined me, then he sent me off for a mammogram (I ended up having 3 in 20 mins) and then an ultrasound and biopsy. Then I went back to the consultant who booked me an appointment for the results the following week. Other scans like CT and MRIs tend to follow later on and not everyone has those.

I think it's good you've got an appointment so quickly (mine I waited 3 weeks for) and so you'll have an idea soon enough.

Good luck for it xx

Hi I was diagnosed with Paget’s disease 7 years ago. I had 4 years going to the gp and being given creams as apparently Paget’s was very rare so it wouldn’t be that ! Eventually my nipple was so bad they sent me for the two week breast cancer service at the hospital. I had a biopsy and scans and was then on a treatment path. I just wish I had pushed harder at the start. You are definitely doing the right thing. I am fine now thank goodness. Hope it’s not anything nasty. Waiting is the worst bit!

@SunnyValemin I hope you’ve been doing lots of lovely things to make up for that year ❤️ ahh okay that’s more of what I was expecting to happen, guess I’ll find out tomorrow. Thank you for the good luck wish!

@marmiteloversunite oh wow four years?! You poor thing that must have been so frustrating for you! Was the biopsy painful? I’m so glad to hear that you’re fine now xx

@SunnyValemin I hope you’ve been doing lots of lovely things to make up for that year ❤️ ahh okay that’s more of what I was expecting to happen, guess I’ll find out tomorrow. Thank you for the good luck wish!
@marmiteloversunite oh wow four years?! You poor thing that must have been so frustrating for you! Was the biopsy painful? I’m so glad to hear that you’re fine now xx
They gave me a local anaesthetic so it wasn’t painful when they were doing it. Bit sore afterwards.

I’ve been told to expect an appt to come through by the 13th and to contact my GP if nothing through by then. It should be for my local hospital

@LoudSnoringDog I really hope it comes through for you as quickly as possible.

Just finished my appointment, there was no scan or biopsy. The doctor examined me, and said that he thinks it’s just some irritation/slight infection of the nipple and said that the other nipple has similar characteristics so he’s confident it’s nothing to worry about despite me saying that usual creams and stuff haven’t worked. He did notice what he called an inflamed lymph node further up my breast so has arranged for a scan but again doesn’t think it’s of any real concern and likely a reaction to the nipple inflammation but as you can imagine, I’m now still absolutely petrified.

The waiting is just awful isn't it? 🥰❤️

Hopefully you aren't waiting too long for the scan xx

My appt is Tuesday x

so glad that yours looks like it’s nothing too concerning to worry about @Pumpkinfrostx

I don’t know, I still can’t shake the bad feeling I have. He gave me Fucidin cream to use on my nipple and it hasn’t seemed to have had any impact yet since I started using it on Friday afternoon, and the side of my breast still feels tight and painful at times. I keep trying to tell myself to get a grip but I just feel so frightened.

@LoudSnoringDog I’m glad to hear you’ve got your appointment, hopefully you get given reassurance that all is well ❤️

I would say if the cream has done nothing by the time you have your scan ask to speak to a breast care nurse and explain your concerns. Push for more investigation.

I have been to the breast clinic this morning. The doctor felt my breast and confirmed he could feel something by where the “dimple” is. He sent me straight for mammogram which noted a small 2cm lump in my right breast. It looks like a marble on the mammogram. From there I went into another room and a female doctor did a biopsy and put a small piece of titanium into the lump? I think it’s so they can see the lump on any subsequent scans? I then went back to the doctor who saw me earlier in the morning, he was very matter of fact ( but still compassionate with it). He said this doesn’t look right so let’s see what the biopsy says and I will hear back within 2/3 weeks to discuss the “management”. He then said don’t worry we will look after you. I don’t know what to think. I’m trying to be positive but I suppose in reality I’m a bit scared. I might look to see if there are other threads on here that give some advice post biopsy etc. thank you for being with me this far

Hi @LoudSnoringDog sorry to hear the consultant seemed worried. It still might not be cancer, there are lots of other things a lump could be. You are right about the marker, they put a clip in so they can identify the lump for any other scans etc. I know this is easier to say than do (I have been where you have been!) but my best advice is to distract yourself and not to Google anything. Just wait to hear from the doctors when they have the results and deal with it at that point. I won't lie, I didn't follow this advice when I was waiting and had convinced myself I would be gone within a week. But I'm still here, 12 months after all treatment and doing ok. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Really hope you get some answers as quickly as possible x

@marmiteloversunite That's good advice, thank you. I've got my ultrasound on Thursday morning so not long to wait now. I spoke to the breast clinic secretary this morning who spoke to the consultant for me, he said the cream was purely to eradicate any potential infection and I should discuss a potential treatment with my dermatologist if my usual creams for my psoriasis aren't working, so I don't really know what to think at the moment, especially about the lymph node.

@LoudSnoringDog oh how scary for you, that sounds like a tough morning. I'm sorry it wasn't more positive news and I wish I had more advice. At least the doctors are working quickly to assess the situation and hopefully you won't need to wait too long to find out what the results of the biopsy are, fingers crossed it's one of those things that turn out to be nothing at all after a fuss. Sending you lots of hugs and good thoughts xx

So I had the scan which showed the lump was just glandular tissue, absolutely nothing to worry about apparently which is great, but I’m still not convinced about my nipple. My gp gave me a different cream to try on Friday, a steroid and an anti fungal, for two weeks and said to come back if it doesn’t help, but I’m wondering if I should just contact the breast clinic again to ask if I can have a biopsy? Or a second opinion or something. At my original appointment, they said they’d review me again in six/seven weeks but I’m just constantly checking and looking at it and can’t stop telling myself there’s something really wrong. I feel like because I have psoriasis, it’s an easy thing for them to simply dismiss it as that despite nothing working on it so far.

@LoudSnoringDog I hope you’re doing as well as can be ❤️

Years ago I had a weird excema type inflamed patch near/on my nipple. I used tea tree oil (patch test first on wrist) to get rid. It took about 2 weeks

Docs thought it was the start of IBC.

So scary but all good in the end

If the cream doesn’t help I would definitely go back and say you want testing for Paget’s. I really wish I had pushed harder for this.

How are things @Pumpkinfrost? 🥰