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Children's health

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Original poster

Breast lump in teen DD - please talk to me

48 replies

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 16:43

15yr old DD has had a breast lump for several months. The GP has seen her twice and wasn't worried, was adamant it's a fibroadenoma (breast mouse) and it should self resolve but it could take a few months. Over the last few days, it's grown exponentially and is now 6cm from an original 2cm.

I've taken her to see a different GP today as it's obviously suddenly much bigger and causing discomfort and the GP has referred her on the 2 week pathway. He said it's smooth and he thinks it transilluminates (think that's the word) so he thinks cyst.

I know nobody can tell me that it'll be okay but this is the second 2 week wait she's been through. When she was 11, she had a weird thigh lesion which needed a lot of investigation and an operation. Completely benign in the end. She has EDS so lumps and bumps might be part and parcel of that.

I am not good with health stuff.

OP posts:

Onnabugeisha · 08/12/2022 16:49

Oh, handhold OP. I don’t do well with health stuff either. 💐
I hope it’s just a cyst.

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 16:51

I hope so too.

It was Christmas last time we were waiting to find out. Oh God, it's times like this that I wonder why I'm teetotal...

OP posts:

Onnabugeisha · 08/12/2022 17:04

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 16:51

I hope so too.

It was Christmas last time we were waiting to find out. Oh God, it's times like this that I wonder why I'm teetotal...

I just read that cysts can change size rapidly due to the hormone changes of the menstrual cycle…does this match any of what your DD has noticed?

SunshineClouds1 · 08/12/2022 17:09

I had this throughout my teens and now into my 30s.
I've been checked so many times but it's due to my hormones and when my period is due.
I hope this is the case for your daughter.

nancy75 · 08/12/2022 17:11

Hand holding op. My DD had exactly the same at the same age ( and while we were in full on lock down)
Like your DD she was put on the 2 week pathway, she got an appt at the breast clinic & they did an ultrasound on the day. The scanning person was able to say straight away it was a cyst.

I wish I can tell you it will definitely be ok, the symptoms sound exactly the same as DD so fingers crossed you will get the same good news

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 17:16

I'm not sure if it tracks her cycle. Her period is due now ish so maybe.

It's grown really quickly which does sound like a cyst. It's also smooth and the GP said he thinks light shines through it which is consistent with a cyst.

I feel like if I think about it too much, I might spiral. Like, if I had pushed harder, they'd have investigated earlier but the GP was clear that it was nothing to worry about and it's been checked twice before now.

My Dad is being investigated for Parkinson's right now as well.

I want a magic wand for Christmas.

OP posts:

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 19:40

DH has just rung and didn't really help. He said "fuuuuuuuck" and not much else.

DD is remarkably chipper and I'm pretending I'm not worried.

GAH.

OP posts:

ShitShoweringClouds · 08/12/2022 19:58

I had a breast lump (early 40's) that was there a few months. It grew quickly over a few weeks- it was a cyst. They drained it there and then (painless as they gave local anaesthetic). And had a breast mouse as well.

They were 2 separate things, and definitely hormone related. It's really shit, but try to stay calm and not worry too much. Easier said than done!

ScornedChicken · 08/12/2022 20:13

I've had a pocket of cyst like material inside bone (as a teen) picked up by accident on an x ray. People were very worried thinking it was a cancerous lesion. I was blissfully unaware and it turned out to be benign. It's admirable that you are not showing worry in front of her.

I really hope she's ok 💐

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 20:17

Thank you @ShitShoweringClouds (beautiful name, is it from a poem 😁)

I'm glad things were benign and fixable for you.

OP posts:

ShitShoweringClouds · 08/12/2022 20:22

Try to stay positive, I really feel for you. And over another Christmas period. Hopefully they will see her quickly.

glasshole · 08/12/2022 20:23

Op, my daughters had the same thing around age 15-17. Her breast mouse ( mice) got to the size of a large lemon and were removed surgically with no I'll effect. She went on to breast feed etc. hers also ballooned over night. She needed two separate surgeries as they kept growing so had to be removed again. Eventually she went on to try different hormonal contraception and that regulated her periods and also stopped the mice growing out of control. Think it was the injection that finally settled it down for her.

Owlnoises · 08/12/2022 20:44

Hello OP. Try not to read too much in to the 2 week wait pathway. IME all breast lumps are put on that track and it doesn't mean they're worried. I've had many fibroadenomas over the years. Every time it's the same:

I feel a lump, know it feels like my other fibroadenomas but also know it needs checking by a doctor to be sure.
I go to the GP who says it feels like a fibroadenoma but needs a scan to be sure. I'm put on the 2 week wait pathway.
I go to the breast clinic where they say it feels like a fibroadenoma but needs a scan to be sure.
I go for a scan where they say it looks like a fibroadenoma but needs a biopsy to be sure.
They take a biopsy. It's a fibroadenoma.

IME they just don't take any risks with breast lumps. Obviously every case is different but I just wanted to say that the 2 week wait pathway isn't necessarily an indicator of anything. Hope your DD gets good news soon.

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 08/12/2022 21:41

I think I feel like I've dropped the ball, as twice they haven't referred for the same lump and I haven't pushed at all. Maybe I should have. I'm worried I've left something serious too long.

And the GP tonight says it's not a breast mouse. He's the senior GP and practice lead and was pretty sure. But then so was his colleague on two previous occasions.

OP posts:

goldfishthecracker · 08/12/2022 21:44

The possibility of her having breast cancer at 15 is so small.

X2Kids · 09/12/2022 11:46

Hi OP

My daughter who's 14 has had the same thing. She's was put on the 2 week pathway too. She had an ultrasound sound scan and it was a breast mouse. Like your daughter it got bigger around her period due date. I was worried like you also. But from what I gather, the likelihood at this age is a breast mouse or a cyst.

Sending a hand hold and

HettyMeg · 12/12/2022 18:20

Didn't want to read and run - I have a fibroadenoma (in my early 30s), it was found over 2 years ago and confirmed via biopsy. Consultant told me it would either stay the same, get smaller or get bigger but that they are not harmful. In that time I've had a baby and the lump has doubled in size. When I got it checked out again a couple of months ago I was told hormones can make them grow so it could be down to teenage hormones for your DD. I was told NHS doesn't routinely remove as not harmful. Sending you good thoughts

PlugUgly1980 · 12/12/2022 18:28

I had a fibroadenoma which grew rapidly, so much so the nurse who did my second referral back on to the 2 week pathway was physically shocked at the size. I went back through the scan, biopsy process, waiting for results etc. and it reconfirmed the same diagnosis, but the consultant agreed as it was continuing to grow they'd much rather take it out (this was on the NHS, earlier this year) and I had the operation as day surgery about a month later.

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 12/12/2022 20:46

Thank you for your replies, stories and handholds.

I think whatever it is, it's big and causing problems so they've got to do something. She can't lie on that side. It's as big as a lemon.

The clinic called today and she's being seen on the 23rd. School has broken up by then so I won't be teaching and she won't be in lessons.

She's feeling pretty rotten today with a horrible sore throat (half the school is off with it) and, as is customary when she's unwell, I've been reading to her. We're reading The Willows at Christmas and doing silly voices like we did when she was tiny. It's really helped me feel less anxious in a weird way. Like I have some way to help her when things are tough and that hasn't changed.

We've put up the tree tonight as well and had a good sob over Tim Minchin's White Wine in the Sun which is another tradition.

Roll on the 23rd. Thank you again.

OP posts:

comical2023 · 13/12/2022 22:11

Honestly it’s beyond unlikely to be anything at 15. However I would be highly tempted to get her seen privately because you’ll be able to find someone to do it this week, I know I can get same day appointments with my breast doctor or next day at the latest and I’m usually in and out having had ultrasound and other checks within half an hour

FangedFrisbee · 14/12/2022 02:06

You should just pay for a breast ultrasound and get it over and done with so Christmas isn't a factor in getting results

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 14/12/2022 02:31

I have a feeling your dd will be ok. It is very common to have lumps with EDS. My dc has one on their neck and one on their back.

TheRookie · 14/12/2022 03:21

I worked in breast surgery for years and never saw anyone as young as your daughter with anything sinister.

FangedFrisbee · 14/12/2022 06:37

@TheRookie I know but it's always worrying and maybe she just needs reassurance.

Original poster

ShowOfHands · 14/12/2022 16:54

I don't have the money for a private scan so will wait until next week.

DD is having a bad day EDS/POTS wise and has passed out at school today (first day of her period, happens every flipping time). I teach at her school and she chose the day Ofsted is in to do this. She came round muttering "did I at least burst the mouse?" which made me laugh.

Thank you again. You're all magnificent.

OP posts:

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