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Original poster

Shit, I have just found a lump in my left breast :(

55 replies

2littlegreenmonkeys · 13/08/2011 23:07

It's about the size of a 5 pence piece. Only noticed it today. I had taken my bra off to get ready for bed and the area felt sore, so had a feel round and felt this lump.

DH said he can feel it too, I have had a look at the area in the mirror and it is red and almost bruised looking and slightly painful/sore.

Going to ring GP on Monday to get an appointment. I am scared and trying my hardest to stay away from google!! Don't think I will get much sleep tonight.

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 15/08/2011 12:43

If it's read and sore it's highly unlikely to be cancer.

Certainly the cancerous lumps I had weren't at all red or sore - they were just lumps.

MaryAnnSingleton · 15/08/2011 13:01

you would really need to see the doctor -then if neccessary he or she can refer you to the breast clinic. The waiting is horrible I know- please hop opver to the tamoxifen thread if you want some hand holding- we have all been through this bit !

MaryAnnSingleton · 15/08/2011 13:02

link here

ChippingIn · 15/08/2011 13:07

It is madness being told to wait until Wednesday :( I suppose from their pov they can't just magic up available appointments where there aren't any - who system needs £££ thrown at it.

It is far far far more likely to be either a cyst or skin infection than cancer - it doesn't sound like any cancerous lump I've ever heard of - but it's hard not to worry isn't it.

Try calling at 8am tomorrow - most Dr's have a few 'emergency' appointments for that day.

Elibean · 15/08/2011 13:17

Bummer, waiting is always so hard Sad

Do they not have a walk-in surgery time, ever? Mine does, between 9 and 10.30 in the mornings, but you have to take whatever GP is doing the surgery, no choice. Otherwise, you could try begging and pleading and saying you're worried its an infection/getting worse....I probably would, I loathe the waiting.

That said, you will probably still have a wait ahead of you, as GPs tend to simply refer to breast clinics in order not to miss anything. Personally, I would grab the Tamoxifen thread ladies' hands (they are a brill bunch for hand holding!) and hang on in there, keep clearing out cupboards and make sure your GP insists on a fast referral for mental health reasons Wink

Its true cysts/infections are far more likely to show redness/bruising. There is one, very rare, form of breast cancer that does that - but its very unlikely, whereas cysts are very, very common.

SparkleRainbow · 15/08/2011 14:07

Ring to see the nurse, they can then speak to the gp and do a referral today to a breast clinic, don't sit and suffer. The nurse is exactly the route I took. I had to have a mass removed from my breast behind my nipple, and it turned out not to be cancer, most referrals to the breast clinic are not cancer. The Tamoxifen thread on General Health is full of women who have been through exactly what you are going through now, some are awaiting appts and results, some are in treatment for BC, some have completed and are all clear, and some like me turned out not to have cancer in the end, but I stayed around cos they are lovely. Pop over there for more support, if you need it, someone is always around.

SparkleRainbow · 15/08/2011 14:08

Sorry just saw that MAS had directed you there already Blush

Original poster
2littlegreenmonkeys · 15/08/2011 20:47

Thank you everyone. My own gp doesn't have a walk in but there is a very good walk in centre local to me.

I will take a look on the tamoxifen thread thank you.

DH and I and the DD'S have been out today to the beach with a picnic and met my fab cousin who the girls love. It has been a nice day and really helped to take my mind of it all.

The lump seems bigger today but I think it is just my imagination IYSWIM, it is very sore and the skin is starting to peel in the middle of the soreness now.

From why you have all said it sounds more like an infection of some kind. I hope so (how odd is that, hoping it's an infection)
I have told my good friend today and we have had a good chat which helped me to feel better Smile

OP posts:
Elibean · 15/08/2011 20:55

I would defo go to the walk-in tomorrow if its that sore - you might need antibiotics!

Does sound more like an infection, especially if the skin is 'tight' and peeling over the sore middle of it.

Glad you had a nice day!

MrsShrekTheThird · 15/08/2011 23:39

Astounded that they want you to wait til weds Shock

Original poster
2littlegreenmonkeys · 16/08/2011 10:12

I am seriously thinking of taking myself off to the walk in Dr's today. My left breast is quite sore & hot to touch (the whole breast itself). I can only liken the sensation to having mastitis but not as painful as I found mastitis.
My underarm on the left side is sore but not swollen or red.

The lump is still there though!!

I have only just got up Blush (I love it when DH is home from work) so will have a coffee and a shower and take a walk up there.

OP posts:
Original poster
2littlegreenmonkeys · 16/08/2011 10:30

Oooh just tried my own Dr's again on the off chance and got a different receptionist and now I have an appointment for 4.4pm today.

OP posts:
Humpletumple · 16/08/2011 10:37

Hurrah!

pinkyp · 16/08/2011 10:38

i found a lump in my breast too, i only noticed it as i was easting pringles and shoved the tube into my chest and it hurt and it was tender and you could even see it if u looked in the mirror, went to drs who told me that if its painful/tender then its not cancer as cancer lumps 9/10 often go undectected as they arent painful. Went to hospital and they scanned it and confirmed it was cycsts - they took a sample of tissue aswell to check (didnt feel it) and all was good.

Try to relax, the gp will prob have a look, tell you what he thinks and reffer you to hospital for them to investigate it further. xx

pinkyp · 16/08/2011 10:40

just read the rest of the thred (oops), glad you have an appointment today :)

MaryAnnSingleton · 16/08/2011 11:06

that's good 2littlegreenmonkeys - let us know how it goes- and do come to tamoxifen thread if you are referred to breast clinic as we can offer hands to hold...lots of good luck x

Original poster
2littlegreenmonkeys · 16/08/2011 12:32

Thanks.

MAS I had a lurk on the thread last night Smile

It works out well DH being home as he can stay here with the DD's so I don't have them to deal with as well.

OP posts:
cakesandale · 16/08/2011 13:08

Will be thinking of you at 4. It sounds like infection to me too. Good on you for not taking 'No' for an answer.

Elibean · 16/08/2011 13:18

So glad you have an appointment today.

It does sound like an infection, but if they give you antibiotics and no improvement after a few days, please ask for a fast referral, ok? Its very rare, and I hesitate to even mention it, but as I knew someone who had it (IBC) and was campaigning for better awareness (in doctors as well as women generally), I have a sort of eye out for doctors who say things like 'breast cancer doesn't hurt/swell/look red' etc because they are not quite right: there is one that does.

Hugely unlikely, though, LGM, so here's to healing that infection superquick!

ChippingIn · 16/08/2011 13:19

I'm glad you got an appointment at your Drs today.

I'm so sure it's nothing to worry about though.

Let us know how you get on.

Beamur · 16/08/2011 13:22

Fingers crossed for you.
I had a scare earlier this year and it turned out to be hormonal tissue - reminded me that I should check more often!
Chances are it will be something harmless, but until you get that confirmation, the waiting is awful.

Original poster
2littlegreenmonkeys · 16/08/2011 17:26

I have just got back from the Dr's. He is almost 95% certain that it is an infection Grin I have anti-biotics for a week then back for a follow up appointment next week. I have to provide a water sample when I go back.

Phew, I have never, in my life, been so happy to have an infection Confused

Thank you so much everyone xxxx

OP posts:
Fisharefriendsnotfood · 16/08/2011 17:30

Great stuff

MaryAnnSingleton · 16/08/2011 19:42

excellent -now let's hope it clears up quickly Grin

ChippingIn · 16/08/2011 20:10

Excellent :)

Such a relief isn't it!!