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Original poster

could someone please help with brest cancer question

23 replies

vintage4 · 23/09/2010 13:25

i discovered a couple of lumps in my left breast in May went to the docs who said she could feel lumps in both breasts but couldnt feel anything that "she didnt like the feel of" i was sent for a non urgent appointment to the breast clinic. I attended this a few wekks ago and the doctor said he couldnt really feel anything significent and he put the lumps down to my 5 stone weight loss(intentional).I was sent for a mammogram last weeks to ease my mind as he put it and this morning i have had a letter in saying i have to attend an ultrasound for both breasts on the 4th of october.I am terrified.They must have discovered something bad as they said it would take 3 or 4 weeks before i heard anything could someoene please come and talk to me about it

OP posts:
BerryLellow · 23/09/2010 13:31

Could you ring your GP to talk about the letter? I know in our area they see you for these tests within a couple of weeks, to be safe.
Sorry you're upset, i really would find someone medical to talk to, best wishes.

kju · 23/09/2010 13:34

Hi vintage4, please try not to worry. I'm not sure how old you are but mammograms are sometimes not particularly effective in pre-menopausal women. It is something to do with the density of the breast tissue.

I am sure the referral for the ultrasound is just to have a better look if the mammogram pictures were not very clear.

Given your recent weight loss (well done btw!) it may be that your breasts are naturally 'lumpy' which is very normal, and that the weight loss has made them feel different which is why you have noticed this now.

Please try not to worry and I'm sure you will get the all clear at your ultrasound appointment.

Original poster
vintage4 · 23/09/2010 13:38

i am 47 and i am googling like mad and it is making it worse.i realy am very scared at this miunte in tme all shaky and i fel sick sorry for moaning

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kju · 23/09/2010 13:52

As Berry said could you talk to your GP to get some reassurance before the appointment? I know it is really awful having to wait for these things.

You need to try and stop googling though, it will only make you feel worse. I realise this is easy for me to say.

Can you make yourself a drink, have 5 mins to try and calm down a bit and then give the Surgery a call? Even if the GP is busy they are usually quite good at calling back.

Do you have anyone close by you could talk to about this?

Don't be sorry about moaning, it is a very scary thing.

I hope you are able to get some reassurance from your GP.

MaryAnnSingleton · 23/09/2010 13:57

hi vintage4- I can completely understand your anxiety (I have had similar letter recalling me after a mammogram)
As kju has said, pre-menopausal women generally have denser breasts and ultrasound is more effective..it's probably that,so they can clarify any details.
It's easy to say don't worry,as you will anyway until you know what's what - did you see a breast care nurse at your mammogram ? Why don't you ring the breast unit and explain your anxiety -the bcn might be able to reassure you.

KurriKurri · 23/09/2010 13:57

Hello Vintage Smile, - of course you are feeling anxious, that is only natural, but being recalled after a mammogram means they want to have a closer look at something in the breast (or even that the pictures weren't clear). It is not necessarily anything sinister. The fact that you are returning quickly is standard practice, it doesn't indicate urgency.

Try to keep your self occupied and busy for the next couple of weeks, be kind to yourself and have plenty of relaxing baths etc. Don't google, you are frightening yourself. Also see your GP - s/he can give you something as a temporary relief from anxiety.

I've had breast cancer, and I'm still here, it's a very treatable illness. But I think there is a good chance, given the GP's and Consultants reassurances, that you will be fine. I'm happy to chat and answer any questions you may have, or just virtually hold your hand during the waiting time. Smile

MaryAnnSingleton · 23/09/2010 14:00

yes,meant to say DON'T GOOGLE too -and KurriKurri's advice is very sound - am happy to handhold too

Rockbird · 23/09/2010 14:01

My mum is going through this at the moment. She went to the hospital on Monday for a mammogram and they took her for a scan and a biopsy as well which we're waiting for the results of. She didn't have lumps, she had bleeding from the nipple and they've told her it can be one of three things, two harmless and the other cancerous (although still treatable).

It is very very scary and we've found that gps won't commit to anything. The hospital were very reassuring though and there is a definite plan of action for if it is anything freaky. It's horrible having to wait and I hope it's nothing sinister. Chances are it's fine but I absolutely know how you're feeling :(. Good luck.

Original poster
vintage4 · 23/09/2010 14:11

thank you all so much.I recognise a couple of names from when i first found lups and posted about them back in May!i had a different name then and had deregistered but wasalways a lurker.So sorry for anyone else in this situation.I phoned surgery and spoe to nice receptionist she said she had not had the results back from my mammogram yet but read out the letter frothe breast clinic sayng docot didnt think anything was wrong etc. i must admot his breast examination ws very very quick. i did not see breast care nurse or anything

OP posts:
Original poster
vintage4 · 23/09/2010 14:12

sorry for typos all over the place

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pinkbasket · 23/09/2010 14:16

Calling you quicker could just mean they have had a cancellation. Try not to worry though I know you can't help it.

Have you anything else other than the lumps?

Original poster
vintage4 · 23/09/2010 14:20

what like pinkbasket?

OP posts:
pinkbasket · 23/09/2010 14:32

Any changes with your nipples?

Original poster
vintage4 · 23/09/2010 14:34

no, nothing like that i don`t think surely breast clinic doc would have noticed something like that?

OP posts:
Dawnybabe · 23/09/2010 14:44

If they don't want to see you for another 3 or 4 weeks it can't be anything serious. If they really thought it was cancer they'd have to have you back in quicker than that, I'm sure. My lovely Mil is going through treatment at the moment and her appointments have all been very quick. I don't think they hang about that long if they really think there's something wrong. Try not to worry, it could be anything!

pinkbasket · 23/09/2010 15:40

Yes, I would think so. I was merely asking. Hope all is well.

Mum72 · 23/09/2010 16:39

I know how worrying it is! I went to my GP a few weeks back with a lump and was referred. I have had my mammogram (last Monday) and have to wait until next Thursday before I see the consultant and get the results. Its a scary and worrying time. There are a few of us on here atm waiting to have lumps checked out and worried sick, so tyou are not alone.

coatgate · 23/09/2010 16:48

I was called back following my first ever breast screening and I was petrified. Bizarrely the fear made me want to sleep all the time Confused. Apparently the oddity they wanted to check was where my breast had sort of folded over (cos I is fat!). Well done on your weight loss. I would imagine if you have lumpy bits in both breasts that makes it less to worry about, as they seem to like both breasts to be the same. Try not to worry.

AncientStarlight · 23/09/2010 19:52

It's understandable you're worried; there are quite a few of us going through or have gone through investigation for breast lumps. I won't say don't worry, but try to look after yourself.

Original poster
vintage4 · 23/09/2010 21:56

thank you all so much.had a big blub when my dh came in from work.He just keeps saying it will be alrighti feel helpless and a right drama queen. Nothing i can do i`ll just have to wait.QI on the telly is making me laugh which is good

OP posts:
Antidote · 23/09/2010 22:15

I would echo what lots of people have already said, that although it is clearly an very anxious time for you there are several good indicators:

  1. If you are pre-menopausal or on HRT mammograms can be difficult to interpret and an ultrasound will be the natural next step to check any denser areas of breast tissue or to confirm the presence of cysts.
  2. The hospital breast clinic have made you a fairly routine appointment i.e. within 2 weeks rather than ASAP.
  3. They want to scan both breasts (although nasty things can be bilateral, it is less common).
  4. You have already seen a doctor at a specialist breast unit, who was not concerned from the clinical examination. If your hospital is anything like ones I have worked at, you would have probably had the ultrasound that day, plus or minus a biopsy, if they were seriousy worried.

I would suggest phoning the Breast Clinic where you were seen and there is likely to be someone there who can talk to you about what is going on and what they are looking for.

Original poster
vintage4 · 04/10/2010 13:23

turned out to be a collection of cysts and no further treatment needed (i don`t think) THANK GOD. Lady who scanned me stated off by saying "yes your mammogram looked fine" wtf? can they not tell you that in the letter they send out all that anxiety is really bad for anyone i had a bit of a rant to her about it Sincere thanks to everyone who replied and .helped me.I really feel like doing something saintly and helping others because of it

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 04/10/2010 14:27

I'm really pleased you got a good result vintage4, Smile

You are absolutely right about the unnecessary anxiety you had to got through, I hope they take your rant on board!

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