Please hold my hand. Possible breast cancer.

[LoveWins86]

I went to the doctor 2.5weeks ago with two new lumps in my right breast, one which moves around and feels smooth and is closer to my armpit, and the other, moves still but to my touch wasn't as smooth. She said they were probably fine, and both were smooth and movable, probably fibroadenomas caused by hormones. I'm 43, and still give my 4yr old a comfort feed to sleep (not sure they get any milk tho...)
I questioned her saying I felt the main lump in the breast wasn't as smooth and she reiterated it was, but referred me to the breast clinic.
Breast clinic is running behind (their words) in their appts, leaving me panicking by yesterday, so I went for a private ultrasound.
Well the sonographer wasn't very positive, said that the main lump is suspicious but she couldn't confirm either way.
Also some axillary tissue is different or something?
I'm just spiralling. I have three kids who i don't want to leave. If it is cancer, is the smaller, smooth lump already a cancerous lymph node meaning it has spread? The lump in the breast is about 2cm already and has 'some suspicious features'. I can't find a single picture on the internet that looks like mine, not even the cancerous ones. She mentioned a possibility of it being a lactating adenoma that could have been there a while but which I didn't notice until I deliberately lost 1.5stone. It seems unlikely though, given the second smooth lump?
NHS has finally given me an appt with a consultant for mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies for next Friday and in the meantime I am imagining it spreading, and me not being treatable. It's awful.
I really need a hand hold. And I need to be here for my kids.

I’m so sorry to hear this. I also had a scare recently so I’m totally aware of the fear.

What I do know is the smooth lump doesn’t fit the suspicious category, mine was smooth too.

The stats are on your side, the vast majority (I think 9/10 by memory) aren’t cancerous.

If the worst happens and it is cancer then it’s incredibly likely you will be cured. Look up survival stats, they are very reassuring.

Despite all this I was still funeral planning and mine turned out to be totally benign. It’s a really horrible time for you, really awful, I just like you thought of my kids and leaving them which is unbearable. But it’s also very unlikely. Breast cancer is an absolute success story in medicine, it’s very treatable.

My fingers are very much crossed for you, please return with an update.

Don't panic!

I noticed lump 4 weeks ago, got diagnosed with breast cancer 2 weeks ago. Massive panic stations for me I have since learned that even if it is breast cancer your chances of survival are very good.

In terms of it spreading, I am still undergoing various tests (and I have private health insurance!) because each test I have reveals something else that needs to be looked into - total nightmare but every single person I see tells me I have time and that cancer doesn't just spread really quickly into other parts of the body over the course of a few weeks. At this stage, you are looking at undetectable microscopic particles at most which would not be picked up on any scan and chemotherapy is designed to get rid of that.

So

1. More likely than not that it is benign
2. Even if it's cancer, it will most likely be treatable
3. It won't be spreading in the way you are imagining whilst you wait

That doesn't stop it being utterly terrifying I know. But one thing I have learned is that your brain has a remarkable ability to adjust to scary things. You will get through this.

Please try not to worry.
I've had a lump that turned out to be a cyst. I also have lots of friends and family who had BC. Some had full double breast removal, some didn't.
All are healthy and well many years later.

Thank you all. So kind for replying. The sonographer put it at 4 on the 1-5 scale, ie suspicious and needs biopsy , so I don't have much hope.

Yes, but suspicious does not mean cancer.
Also breast cancer is very treatable.

Come on girl, you’ve every reason to hope.

I had to have a biopsy a few years ago and I remember that the waiting was hard both for the appointment and the results.

It all turned out ok (I have a bit of titanium now to mark where the lump was but it was generally agreed that the biopsy itself had removed it).

The worst thing you can do is dwell and google during the waits.

Try to fill time with a project. I dug a garden over, dug in horse dung and put new plants in. I set a deadline of getting it done by the day of my phone call.

Have you got a project? Kid’s room need decorating or something?

There is every chance it will be good news but as others say if not, the treatment and success rate is excellent.

Remember, we only hear bad news in the media because it reports the extraordinary not the ordinary. You being around to bounce your grandchildren on your knee in 30 years time is the most likely outcome!

Saying prayers for you now. Make sure you update us!

This is a very stressful period ( the waiting!), I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November last year, had surgery in December and radiotherapy Feb/march. I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in years, a diagnosis (I’ve learnt) does not mean you are going to die, the prognosis with the right treatment is actually very positive so try not to get too stressed. Hope Friday goes ok