Positive vibes needed - terrified I have breast cancer

[cbr333]

I have felt discomfort in my breast for a few weeks but I’m 42 and thought it was just hormones. I actually felt myself this morning and could feel a lump so went to see my GP. She found two lumps and has put an urgent referral in. My aunt was diagnosed at the same age as me and died from breast cancer at 49. I have young daughters and I’m so so terrified. I had a panic attack in the GP car park and I feel like I have no one to support me.

I know it could be ok but I can’t find any positives at the moment.

Didn't want to read and run. Hoping for the best for you ❤️❤️. Try not to get too far ahead of yourself, although I can understand the fear getting on top of you right now. There are a lot of 'what ifs' still to answer. Even if it is a bad diagnosis, chances are very good for recovery and my impression is that treatment has come such a long way. You've taken the important first step.

I found a lump due to pain. At the breast clinic they said that was probably a good sign. Turned out to be innocent. Hope yours is the same.

Had this recently and can confirm it’s a worrying time.

However both my GP and breast clinic (was referred urgently as also have a family history of breast cancer) confirmed pain / discomfort in the breast not normally a sign / symptom of breast cancer.

I had 2 small lumps and also a slightly enlarged lymph gland in my armpit.

Quickly had another scan at the clinic and both just normal, but lumpy, breast tissue and lymph gland ok also.

So glad I went and care could not have been better. A reassuring fact I learned that day……. Out of every 8 referrals to the breast clinic for lumps only 1 of those is breast cancer. The stats are on your side.

As difficult as it is, try not to catastrophise for now, it’s more likely than not that you’ll be fine - but hugs to you anyway.

Try not to view it as an urgent referral. 2 weeks is a standard pathway for some symptoms, including breast lumps.

I understand how worried you are, but exactly 10 years ago today I underwent surgery for breast cancer, which was followed by radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
I was terrified when I found out, but, I am still here, and treatments for breast cancer keep advancing every year, so even if you do end up being diagnosed with it, stick with the treatment plan and take hope and courage from the fact that it is now a well researched, understood and survivable condition.

Hand hold from me - and I'd suggest it's not particularly helpful looking at older generations who have died from various types of cancer, although I can understand why you would. Cancer research has come on in leaps and bounds and things that would have been terminal a few decades ago can now be very successfully treated.

I speak as someone with 'incurable but controllable' ancer.

My aunt had 6 breast cancer scares. None amounted to anything. She just had lumpy boobs.

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful replies. I have been asked to come in tomorrow for the one stop shop - mammogram, biopsy (if necessary) etc, so good or bad I will know more by tomorrow evening. At least it’s not long to wait.

I’ve been referred urgently twice (36 now)
both times the GP could feel two lumps and both time it was fibro cystic changes. My grandma and my mum have both had breast cancer so I know it’s probably going to happen at some point but it’s not the worst cancer to have nowadays!

Hi @cbr333 How did it go today?

I had one of the less treatable kind of breast cancer (triple negative) at 49 - it was a really hard year of treatment, chemo and immunotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy then a bit more immunotherapy but I had a fairly small amount of breast tissue removed and 3 years on I am still cancer free. I know how terrified you are, I have been there, but it’s not a death sentence and honestly I found once a treatment plan was in place I kind of got over the existential dread and just got on with it. Breast cancer has extremely good outcome rates nowadays and they are developing new treatments every day.

I had a fibroadenoma benign tumour that was massive at 30. I was urgently referred, too. Standard practice.

If it's anything nasty, chances are it's been caught in good time. Big hugs. I'm 41 now and fine.