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Original poster

Fuck. I have a lump

44 replies

AFingerofFudge · 13/09/2013 21:29

Trotted off to the doctors earlier in the week as had a bit of sticky discharge from my nipple and it just felt a bit odd. Doctor did an examination. She asked me if I did check myself regularly (which I do) and then said she thought she could feel a lump. I had a feel and said no, that part always feels like that. She said she would refer me to be on the safe side but it could take a number of weeks as she didnt feel there was anything to be concerned about. I was quite happy about this.
Anyway, yesterday I was having another feel (paranoid!) and then I realised that the place she had queried with me definitely did have a lump. So I went back to see her this evening and she had another feel, and confirmed that yes that was a lump and she'd like to refer me to the "fast track clinic". Gulp. She was really nice but in no way reassuring because she didnt say "oh don't worry I don't think it will be anything serious" or something like that. So now I'm shitting myself.
Anyone have positive stories? I think it's the fast track bit that has made me nervous.

OP posts:
Sparrowfarts · 13/09/2013 21:35

My GP fast tracked me with a ridiculously large lump that appeared overnight a few months ago. She was very kindly but didn't attempt to pretend that there was nothing to worry about.

Two cysts were found, nothing sinister.

Good luck, don't hang around on Google, go to the clinic and let the experts do their job.

Original poster
AFingerofFudge · 13/09/2013 21:40

Thank you sparrow. Am trying to remember that under these circumstances, google is not my friend!!

OP posts:
BabsAndTheRu · 13/09/2013 21:41

I've just had a lump removed at the beginning of the week, nothing sinister. It was a lump called a PASH. Totally harmless but was getting bigger. I was fast tracked as well. GP just telling you like it is, its a lump and you need it checked. Its hard not to worry but with the fast track you'll soon know what it is. Good luck op.

tazmo · 14/09/2013 13:48

Mine was an old milk duct called a galactocoel but best to get checked to be armed with the info you need. Have a friend who ignored it and she does have stage Four breast cancer. She is so annoyed with herself but most of these lumps turn out to be non cancerous. Be brave!

fedupandtired · 14/09/2013 18:16

Something like 90% of lumps are harmless so the odds are most definitely in your favour. Your GP is fast tracking you not because she thinks its cancer but because she can't be 100% certain it isn't and would be doing you a disservice by not getting it ruled out quickly.

I've had 3 referrals over he years to the breast clinic. On one occasion my GP did the referral there and then and I got an appointment two days later. Each time it was nothing to worry about.

Original poster
AFingerofFudge · 15/09/2013 16:14

Thanks for all replies and reassurances. Feel on and off panicky but most of the time ok. Will post back when I've heard any more x

OP posts:
Theonlyoneiknow · 15/09/2013 21:57

All lumps need to be seen within a fortnight (i think) so being fast tracked is normal

handbagsatdawn · 17/09/2013 08:51

Let me know how you go OP. I found a lump over the weekend, at the GPs yesterday and now also waiting for a fast track appointment. Am totally scared like I've never been before. Perhaps we can hold each other's hands.

Original poster
AFingerofFudge · 17/09/2013 19:22

oh handbag I definitely know how you feel. I am ok and then I suddenly get a whoosh of panic.
I have heard from the hospital and I've got an appointment next tuesday morning. Completely bricking it but trying to be normal. Hope all goes well for you handbags - when do you think you'll be seen?

OP posts:
handbagsatdawn · 18/09/2013 15:02

I've just been told I've got an appointment this Friday. Totally know what you mean about forgetting about it and then, whoosh, it all comes back. I had a long chat with a good friend about it all this morning as she's also had a scare; hers turned out to be nothing more than a cyst. I just have a really really horrible feeling about this and am all over the place. Fingers crossed for you on Tuesday, please keep me posted on how you go.

CoolStoryBro · 18/09/2013 15:06

I have no advice at all but I just wanted to wish you luck. Will keep my fingers crossed for you but can completely understand the worry xx

ExcuseTypos · 18/09/2013 22:14

I found a lump which seemed to appear overnight.

I was also fast tracked, but that 2 week wait was a nightmare. By the time I got to the hospital I had convinced myself I had cancer.

It was a cyst so everything was fine. I know you will worry because everyone does, but the chances are, you will be ok. .x

Huskylover1969 · 19/09/2013 08:44

I'm in the same boat got my appointment 9 October but I'm working that day so I'm going to try and change it
I'm shitting myself too
Hugs and all the best to you both xxx

AnythingNotEverything · 19/09/2013 08:56

Everybody is fast tracked - don't let that worry you! I have fibro cystic breasts so have to be referred every couple of years. They always feel the same (low risk), but I always get an appointment within a fortnight.

If your clinic is anything like mine, take a book. It can take a while. You may see a number of people - a consultant, a sonographer ... You will have a female chaperone for each bit. They might want to extract some tissue for testing and will probably do an ultrasound. Depending on you age, you may have a manmogram. Then you'll go back about a fortnight later for the results.

I know it seems scary, but its genuinely not as bad as you think it will be.

Good luck, and try not to worry!

handbagsatdawn · 19/09/2013 10:30

It's comforting (in a kind of warped way) to know there are many others going through the same thing and that most will be absolutely fine. I do have other symptoms (dimpling in area of lump) which I know is bad news. I am totally terrified to be honest. People keep wandering up to me at work for a chat and I can't even look them in the eye for fear of welling up.

VillaVillekulla · 19/09/2013 10:34

I had this a couple of weeks ago. No discharge but a definite lump which hadn't been there before. GP fast tracked me. I was seen within a fortnight. Consultant told me straight away that it didn't feel like a cancerous lump but sent me off for an ultrasound to double check. Turned out to be a cyst. Apparently v common after the age of 35. Good luck.

MaryAnnSingleton · 19/09/2013 11:36

was going to echo that everyone is fast tracked with any breast issue. Would it help if you nipped over to the tamoxifen thread as we have all been through this testing/waiting for results and dealing with those results...over here We do excellent hand holding and reassurance !

hellymelly · 19/09/2013 11:49

I've had two lumps in recent years, one was a milk cyst, the other a lump of fat probably due to a knock to the breast, it went away after a couple of months. I also had armpit pain that needed checking. It is really scary, I paid each time to go private as I couldn't even take the shortish wait to be seen and so had an ultrasound within a few days each time. It was only about £150, so if anyone has been given a few weeks wait and can't stand it then it is something to think of if you can afford it. Good luck OP, and to those of you also waiting to be checked. I was a quivering wreck, but the consultant told me that most women he sees have harmless lumps, they are really common as there are so many different causes.

digerd · 19/09/2013 12:36

Cancerous breast lumps do not appear overnight. I woke up one morning with a large, very painful swelling in my left breast.
I knew it wasn't cancer, and was confirmed by my gyny the next day.

It was a cyst full of fluid with a tiny solid bit at the bottom, caused by stress the day before and in my case was an overload of oestragen produced < always had hormone imbalance when really stressed>

Original poster
AFingerofFudge · 20/09/2013 09:15

Thanks to all for advice, words of wisdom and support. Good luck today handbags let us know how you get on.

OP posts:
hellymelly · 20/09/2013 09:37

Thinking of you this morning handbags.

handbagsatdawn · 20/09/2013 10:08

Thanks for your good wishes, my appointment's at 1pm today so a little while to go. I eventually lost it at work yesterday and totally broke down on one of my senior colleagues who was fantastically understanding and sent me home. He basically said forget all about work, and stay off until I know what's going on.
So here I am, sat on the sofa, drinking coffee and eating chocolate cake (have lost appetite but somehow cake is ok).
I will let you know how it goes.
Finger, sorry I seem to have hijacked your thread. It is so reassuring to share this with others and I am thinking of you.

handbagsatdawn · 20/09/2013 10:14

Maryann - thanks for link to tamoxifen thread. I hope I don't have to see you over there later IYKWIM. Have a horrid feeling I'll be hanging out there though.

smee · 20/09/2013 10:36

handbag, really good luck later. Hope you're skipping back with the best of news, but if not definitely come say hi on Tamoxifen. There's a heck of a lot to be said for meeting others who have not only got through it all, but are living life to the full. There are a lot of us on there who are. Me included. Smile

MaryAnnSingleton · 20/09/2013 11:23

thinking of you at 1pm handbags xx