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Original poster

Lump in Breast - anyone got any advice please?

114 replies

Mojomummy · 13/09/2005 14:19

on Saturday night I was in the bath reading an article about breast cancer. I decided to examin my & much to my horror, found a lump on my left breast, just above the nipple.

Monday teatime I went to my docs who examined me & identified the lump. She seems to think it's a cyst & has told me to take evening primrose oil for 2 weeks. 800mg a day. If it's not gone, then to go back & I'll be referred to the breast clinic.

Does this seem reasonable ? apparently cysts tend to be hormone related & I recently had a miscarriage. I'm 36.5 & thought I was in good health. There is no breast cancer in my maternal family & I breast feed my dd for 2 years.

OP posts:
staceym11 · 13/09/2005 14:26

dont panic, i know its the first thing that come into your head!

im only 18 and found a lump around 18months ago, went to the doctor straight away and she told me to wait for my period, then we discovered i was pregnant with dd (because my period didnt come) and they told me to wait until i had the baby, then i had the baby and it was 'wait for your period' so in all it took 18months to get checked, but it was a fibroidenoma, which is like scar tissue. my mums friend has been in 3 times for cysts and she has a history of breast cancer but its all been ok.

anyway what i think im trying to say is it s far more likely there is nothing to worry about, if you dont want to wait tell your doctor you want to be sent for tests as this is very sensitive matter and you dotn want to wait around. they should do as you ask.

other than that all i can say is good luck and im sure you'll be fine!

gigglinggoblin · 13/09/2005 14:28

my mum gets cysts all the time. also has had blocked milk ducts, despite finishing bf over 20 years ago. it is entirely reasonable. it must be very worrying all the same but try not to panic. good luck x

Redtartanlass · 13/09/2005 15:02

Does the ?lump? feel like a frozen pea or lumpy muscle? Not that it matters, in my opinion, if you?re worried, I would NOT wait 2 weeks on evening primrose oil, some things are too important to be ignored.

Original poster
Mojomummy · 13/09/2005 15:12

it did feel like a pea lying down in the bath, just felt again, sitting up, & it's a bit like a hard stone - round/circular in shape either way.

I don't want to wait, but I don't know what to do or where to go. If the dr has said to wait, then I won't get a referral..I've tried searching on the web, but I'm lost

OP posts:
lalaa · 13/09/2005 17:42

i've just been told (today) that i have breast cancer. i am 33 and it is hugely rare for someone my age to have it. the point of me posting here is to say that the consultant told me that my lump has probably been there for years growing really really slowly, so a couple of weeks taking evening primrose oil may not make any difference to the final result. i had to wait 14 weeks in total for my appointment, including a three week wait at the beginning when my GP wanted me to wait to find out if it was hormonal.
good luck

Hausfrau · 13/09/2005 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Redtartanlass · 13/09/2005 18:53

Lalaa ? my heart, my thoughts and all my best wishes go out to you, and I know from experience the strain you must have been under waiting 31/2 months for an answer. I personally would not wait 2 weeks for a referral, but I have had all my close female relatives affected by breast cancer and am maybe just a bit more jumpy than most.

Mojomummy - give Breast Cancer Care a call on 0808 800 6000 they are the UK's leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer or breast health concerns. They can give you more practical advice.

Original poster
Mojomummy · 13/09/2005 20:30

Lala, I'm really sorry to hear your news - what is the next course of action for you ?

Thanks for your advice, I will request a referrel first thing tomorrow.

OP posts:
Amanda1 · 13/09/2005 20:40

Message withdrawn

Tipex · 13/09/2005 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Redtartanlass · 15/09/2005 09:49

Mojomummy - how did you get on at the docs?

Tipex · 15/09/2005 14:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mojomummy · 15/09/2005 15:50

Hi, took your advice & decided I didn't want to wait. I went to back to the surgery yesterday & asked to be refered - fortunately through my work I have private health care, so have an appointment with a consultant this Tuesday. Fingers crossed it's hormonal or a cyst.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mojomummy · 15/09/2005 15:51

BTW What happens to the ladies that don't have private health care ? do they just have to wait it out ?

OP posts:
staceym11 · 15/09/2005 16:16

as iv mentioned b4 it took 18months before i got an appointment, so thankfully it was nothing major, but it doesnt say much for our health system!

Original poster
Mojomummy · 15/09/2005 16:33

18 months ? that's just unbelievable, so why couldn't they look when you were pregnant ? I'm TTC, so perhaps I shouldn't be ?

OP posts:
JAG123 · 15/09/2005 20:59

Mojomummy I just want to wish you all the best with your upcoming appointment.

Lalaa My thoughts are with you.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer just over 4.5yrs ago at the age of 30. I was referred straight away but it took 8wks to confirm. I had a mastectomy, chemo & radiotherapy and apart from complications from another illness that came on towards the end of chemo i am doing really well. I had a brillant reconstruction and i'm now TTC no. 2 if it is still poss. I just wanted to express how important it is to stay positive.

I will be sending you both positive thoughts.
Take Care
J

staceym11 · 16/09/2005 08:09

of course you should still ttc, i think my doctor is a bit of a prat really, tahnkfully all is well (it could be the fact im in the 'wrong' age bracket at 18, and they decided there was nothing wrong before checking) still worried me to death tho!

HellKat · 16/09/2005 08:33

Lalaa- So sorry! Here's love and best wishes your way xxx
Mojo- I had a lump for a few months (left it to see if it would go). I left it until after I'd had a period to see if that made a difference (hormones can make you lumpy) and went to the dr. He referred me to a breast clinic. I saw him on the Tuesday, breast clinic rang that day with an appt for the Monday. Had thorough examinations, an ultrasound and a wide core biospsy (have history of cancer in my family). Was told 2 weeks before results were in. That same Wednesday, had a call at 8.40am to say all clear! Bloody amazing for nhs.
Good luck for Tuesday, here's hoping all will be well xxxx

lalaa · 16/09/2005 10:51

Hello again
Mojomummy - sorry for hijacking your thread.
Hausfrau - thanks for the link to the lavender trust - really helpful.
Tipex - barring a miracle when the biopsy results come back on Tuesday, I am going to have surgery. It will be my choice whether to have a lumpectomy or the more radical option. The consultant said that I would also have to have the lymph nodes taken from under my arm and that I would then have radiotherapy. Until we get the results of the biopsy, nothing further can be decided - that will show stage and grading of the tumour and whether it has oestrogen positive receptors ( I think that's what they are called...)
Amanda1 and Jag123 - it is great to know that there are other people here who have been where I am now. Thank you for your thoughts. I am trying to stay as positive as possible and I do think it will be a lot easier when I know what it is I am facing. It's not long until Tuesday...
x

Amanda1 · 16/09/2005 12:26

Message withdrawn

JAG123 · 16/09/2005 18:59

Hi just wanted to echo Amanda1 message. I am usually over on the TTC threads. I am fairly new to these chat websites so i don't know what cat means and if i can do it or not.

I hope that both of you get the best possible results on Tuesday

Original poster
Mojomummy · 16/09/2005 22:32

CAT = contact another talker... & welcome

OP posts:
JAG123 · 19/09/2005 16:42

Thanks Mojomummy

Redtartanlass · 20/09/2005 10:57

Mojomummy - god luck with appointment today, let us know how you got on.

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