Being sent to breast clinic for tests - feeling panicky

[Jane7]

I'm trying to be brave, but I'm struggling. Found lump in breast a few weeks ago and just been to doctor who said, yes, definite lump and needs to be tested at breast clinic by having some cells taken and ultrasound. She reassured me that because the lump moves around when you squash it and because I'm only 30 and have no close family history of breast cancer, there's a good chance lump is benign. But every time I look at my children, I want to cry. Has anyone else been through this? Not sure how I'm going to manage the next two weeks until appointment, and then another two while tests come back. Apologies if this is a repeat of previous posts about fidning lumps- feel sure that I can't be the first to be going through this.

You're not the first at all. I think there's a thread at least once a month as it's so common, but it's very, very scary when it's you. Not sure if this helps, but did you know that 9 out of 10 lumps are benign? That might help get you through the two weeks. Hand holding here if you need it though. x

Thank you Smee - I feel that I should be being brave so that I don't panic my DH, or the children, or my mum. But it's tough holding back the tears. Thanks for the 9 out of 10 statistic too.. Shall keep in mind...

My mother went through it last month. I went with her to the hospital and she had a consultation, examination, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy all in one hit. We were shit scared, actually more than she was IYSWIM. Results came back all clear but I have to say it was the worst time of my life so far so I know exactly how you feel. It is hard work getting through it but the odds are on your side even though it doesn't feel like it now.

I had the same thing when my DD was a few months old and I went into a massive panic. But I would say they have to send you to be checked if you have a lump even if they don't think it is suspicious. A cancerous lump tends to feel very hard and irregular (not smooth), it also won't move around so it sounds like yours is more likely a breast mouse (fibroadeoma) or a cyst. Mine was just some fatty tissue - it is still there but since I had an ultrasound and a needle biopsy I don't worry about it now.

Most likely scenario is you will be fine. Don't google just remember it is very, very unlikely. And stop touching it all the time - I am sure you are. It can make it tender and swollen which will make you worry more. Just keep yourself busy. I am 99.99999% sure you will be back here in a few weeks saying all is ok :)

I've had two breast lumps examined, ultrasounded, fine needle aspirated (and one also core biopsied...). Nothing abnormal about either of them. I've started to view having lumps investigated as pretty routine, now! So try not to worry too much - a mobile, benign lump in the breast of an otherwise healthy 30-year old is reasonably common, whereas a cancerous one is actually very rare. It won't stop you worrying, of course, because no-one can ever promise you anything (that's why they have to test to make sure), but the chances of you having cancer are really very small indeed.

Good luck - I hope everything goes OK! And don't be too hard on yourself for feeling so upset, as any medical test is stressful and unsettling.

Thank you soo much - how did people survive life without mumsnet. You're right Nikki - I've poked at it so much, it already feels bruised, pooor little lump. Will stop and try to get on with life until appointment. I keep telling myself a/ this probably won't be the first time I have a scare of this sorts in life b/ at least it's me not my children with a health scare.
I've just been phoned with an appointment at breast clinic in a week - seems very fast, which of course is making me worry that the doctor does thinks it cancer and has priortized me, which I know is silly, since she said, it didn't feel like the reallyworrying kind of hard, unmoveable lump

IME doctors don't commit to anything without good reason. If she didn't have cause to think that it was harmless she wouldn't have said that it didn't feel like it. Just think of how many lumps they feel, day after day, year after year. It must give you a sense of what you're looking at.

The consultant told my mother her scan didn't look like anything suspicious and we really clung to that because he sees hundreds of these things and wouldn't have said that if he didn't have an inkling.

Jane they see everyone as quickly as they can, so don't get paranoid. It's a good service, that's all.

agree with what smee says- that is a pretty normal appointment time - don't read anything into the speediness. It's a horrid thing to have to wait for but you'll get through it and it's most likely to be absolutely nothing at all. In my experience the biopsy was not at all painful ,so please don't worry about that. Avoid googling or poking at your breast because you'll make yourself sore and more anxious...hand holding available here

Thank you for the hand holding offers - it does provide such a lot of comfort somehow, having online support. Will let you know how things go. And so glad all you who have posted here were given the all clear, including your mum Rockbat.

Just to add to the list of 'found a lump but fine' - over the years I've had 2 full invetigations including a biopsy but no probs - apparently I just have lumpy boobs! In my NHS area if they were concerned you would be seen super fast so the wait may be that they are not too concerned IYKWIM? Even my mum, in her 70's, has recently been checked out for a lump and it was nothing. So, tis not always bad news. But worrying I know, so all the best.

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the lovely women who posted with reassurance last week. Just back from clinic and all fine... apparently it was a lump due to brusing or trauma to breast tissue. There's nothing there to be concerned about, probably just my toddler son kicking me in the boob. Thank you everyone who posted, and good luck to others having tests