Likely breast cancer after ultrasound - thread 4

[spartanrunnergirl]

Hi all!

Thought I’d start thread 4. I’ll put links to the previous threads below.

Welcome.

The original thread was started after I had a mammogram recall and was told at the ultrasound that it was likely I had breast cancer - before biopsies were taken, and before I was ready to hear that (if you are ever ready to hear that).

Three full threads later we are still sharing support, experiences, and advice. We’ve celebrated breast cancer wins and thrown virtual hugs around those who’ve needed it. (We’ve all needed it 💗)

This is a hugely kind and caring bit of Mumsnet - where we’ve all felt that awful fear waiting for scans, tests, results, or with an early and uncertain breast cancer diagnosis.

You are not alone.

This is the awful club - full of awesome women💗

@cancerycaramelbear yes infusions suck. It’s taking me over a week to feel better. They told me to take paracetamol the day before which did help but the fatigue is awful. I seem to be really got by everything they’ve given me

Hello again all, I’ve not posted for a while ( not since completing my radiotherapy in March). I have a query re surgery site… had my lumpectomy in December 2025 and in January my consultant confirmed that the cancer was not in the margins, no spread and nothing in my lymph nodes. So I have been reasonably assured that it’s all gone and I just need to continue with tamoxifen and will have a mammogram in Nov/ dec.
My current concern is I can feel something “hard” in my surgery site and I have read that this will be interval scar tissue etc, however I’m obviously having occasional niggle that it’s another lump. I think I have some anxiety about going all through this again, those of you who had a lumpectomy, have you felt similar in your surgery area? I did call the breast cancer nurse a few weeks ago and she was non plussed really but I would have thought it would have started to feel normal by now?

*internal scar tissue that should read.

@LoudSnoringDog I could’ve written your post from surgery lumpectomy to radiotherapy lymph nodes all ok. et cetera

i too have a bumpy lump at surgery site which a recent appointment with surgeon (and after ultrasound) confirms it’s as a result of radiotherapy.

but for your own complete peace of mind I do urge you to seek further medical advice if you don’t feel comfortable 💐💐💐

Hi all,
I have my follow up breast appointment tomorrow morning for a smooth, movable lump on the outer part of my breast close to the armpit, and a less smooth, 'suspicious' (according to private ultrasound has some suspicious features) one inside the breast in the same zone. I am absolutely terrified.
But also have been experiencing pain in my ribs just under the lumps since finding them, which I'm now scared means it has already spread and I'm not in a good place.
I don't know why I'm posting really. I went to the doctor 3.5 weeks ago and the wait has been excruciating, and now this pain is basically terrifying me.

The wait is terrible, it was probably the worst bit of the whole journey for me. Remember, when you are under a huge amount of stress, the body can create sensations that the mind reacts anxiously to. I hope that tomorrow brings some certainty to what you are feeling and gives you a plan to be able to move forward. There are many women on this thread to have walked the same path. Sending strength to you.

Good luck @LoveWins86 . Hope it all goes well. Have you already had a biopsy? Waiting for the results is painful and not knowing what's going on.

I had one initially in July which showed stage 1 cancer, then an MRI, then had to go back for an ultrasound yesterday. They decided to do two more biopsies, one on each breast this time and at the bottom side near my arms which have been much more painful than the original one which was at the top centre. I think because it's harder to not knock them by accident. I wasn't really expecting another biopsy so hadn't thought to wash my hair, which meant I needed to do it today in a very contorted way trying not to get either boob wet!

I also feel like I don't really have the right sort of bras to wear after these. I either wear underwired bras when I'm out/at work or more relaxed vest bras for lounging around, nether of which are ideal for sore boobs. Any recommendations gratefully received.

Thank you @cancerycaramelbear and @Stowickthevast
No biopsy yet, I'm expecting mammogram, another ultrasound and biopsies x3 tomorrow I believe. No idea which bits of that are painful. Sorry to hear you're in pain with bras etc, that's rubbish. Xx

Hi - can I join you - not that I want to be here as I'm sure none of you do either
Went for appointment today after seeing a change in nipple shape - first Dr said it looked like just aging but go for mammogram and ultrasound; ultrasound found something they said looked like a cyst but then it was too dense so took a biopsy - now waiting on results and trying to be calm and not spiral.....

Crap day. I was told before they even have the biopsy results that they believe this is cancer. I'm 43, and my 3 kids need me. They even had to biopsy the lymph node in my armpit so it's not looking good at all.
Devastated doesn't really come close.

Sorry to hear about your bad news @LoveWins86. You'll know more when they get the results of the biopsy but I'm sure several people on here who are further along the journey can give you advice. It's hard not to spiral but my understanding is that breast cancer is quite treatable these days. Did they give you numbers for support lines like Maggie's and Macmillans?

@mumofmanydaughterofone I think not being able to see it on the ultrasound is quite common. Apparently dense breasts mean they're younger.

@LoveWins86 sounds very similar to the place l found myself thrown on the 3rd January. I was such a mess of terror I contacted Breast Cancer Now for support. The support is there all they way from waiting for test results and whatever comes next. The wait between biopsy’s and treatment plans really really is dreadful. The helpline is open Mon to Fri and sat morning. They also have a compassionate and supportive forum that is well moderated by the Breast Care Nurses. https://breastcancernow.org/

@LoveWins86 sorry to hear this. Please do reach out to support. Breast cancer now and Maggie’s are both excellent. There is so much research on breast cancer and the care I’ve had has been very good. Keep posting here x

@LoveWins86 I echo what PPs have said. My diagnosis was in August 2024, and in fact today is the second anniversary of my first chemo. I still keep an eye on this thread! This is a horrible time, it's a shock and you (and your doctors) don't yet know what exactly you're dealing with. Once biopsy results come back, you'll get a treatment plan and it feels more 'certain'.

I had no evidence of disease after my active treatment, despite having a large, aggressive tumour (my oncologist's words). There's so much treatment available now, please try not to catastrophise (I know it's hard). Speak to someone at Breast Cancer Now, or a sensible friend. Sending hugs 💐