High anxiety over breast lump

[mintymellons]

Please help, I'm getting myself into a right state and not sure why really.
To cut a long story short, I saw my go three weeks ago today as I'd felt a sort of bump in my right breast. I noticed it because I had a tender area in that side in the week before my period. It's hard to describe what's there, it's not a specific lump, more just a bumpy area, soft.
Gp couldn't feel anything and told me nothing to worry about. I then saw another Gp later that week as I was still concerned and she said that she thought I was just feeling normal breast tissue and no discrete lump and to leave it alone! She did however say I could go back and have it checked again at another point in my cycle (was a few days pre menstrual before). So I have an appointment this Friday with yet another Gp to see if she thinks there's anything there.
I'm now so worried about going back and it's all I can think about.
The bumpy thing is very hard to feel unless you're really looking for it and on several occasions I couldn't find it and thought it had gone. I'm going back to go as it was suggested although clearly no one is concerned about it (apart from me!!).
I'm driving myself mad over what seems to be nothing but keep thinking.
Can anyone calm me down please?!

Minty your lump sounds very like mine. Mine was very prominent last week and very tender. My period started yesterday and the lump has almost disappeared. I've had it about 4 years now. Consultant said it is glandular tissue and nothing to worry about.

Also meant to say that a consultant told me that sinister lumps are usually not painful. Therefore if your lump is sore it's likely to be something like a cyst/ hormone related.

It is frightening and it's hard not to let your imagination run away with itself, but having been to the breast clinic 3 times now, I try very hard not to worry until a consultant tells me that there is something to worry about.

Thanks Chartreuse. That's interesting. I am taking the soreness to be a positive sign, but also know that BC can hurt too, so not fully convinced. Won't be happy til I've had my appointment.

Well I have my breast clinic appointment tomorrow afternoon and am pretty terrified. Still convinced they'll find BC. Dreading the whole thing.
My lump has been very tender and prominent these last few days, although I haven't been prodding it. Actually nervous about having it palpated as it is quite sore when touched.

Hi Minty - I came on to post as thought you'd had the appointment today and felt really bad that I'd forgotten to wish you luck. So good luck for tomorrow!
Mine is on Thursday and I still feel sick about it all too.
I feel slightly less tender than before, but still more tender on that side/ that armpit than the other. I have tried really hard not to prod it these past couple of days so I would imagine that has possibly caused the decrease in tenderness. But I have given up analysing it all really!
I am obviously not in the slightest bit medically qualified, but I do think that the fact you have a prominent tender lump would suggest it is caused by something other than cancer. From what I have read cancerous tumours do not tend to present with pain, unless it is inflammatory BC - which can also present with swollen breast and redness (which must seem quite similar to mastitis). That's just my opinion!
Anyway, I hope you get some sleep tonight. Do you have a good book sorted for the waiting?

Hello Littlemouse. Really sweet of you to post. I must admit that I am taking a little comfort from the fact that it hurts and has become more noticeable in a short time. Still really worried though. It's all I can think about.
Glad yours is less tender and you only have another couple of days to wait. As you say, it's pointless trying to analyse it! I'll post tomorrow and update.

Hi Mintymelons, good luck for tomorrow. I hope all goes well. Littlemouse, I'll be thinking of you on Thursday. Are you both taking someone to support you? I had a bit of a wobble yesterday, but have managed to get my anxiety under control a bit more today.

Hi Crafty. Thanks for posting and glad you've got you're nerves under control.
I'm going alone today as I need DP to collect my DDs from nursery and school. I'm so nervous.

Good luck today Minty. Could you take someone with you, your Mum, a friend? If they do an aspiration biopsy, you might not feel like driving.
Best of luck, got fingers crossed for you here

There's a brilliant website breast cancer care uk with chat forums that have BCC staff who also contribute: one is specifically for people who are going for tests & anxious. There is a phone number for BCC where you can phone & speak to 1 of their counsellors or breast nurses. There are loads of fact sheets that you can download for accurate information.
Also sending best wishes to Crafty & anyone else out there who's worried

Good luck today mintymellons! Thanks for your support, and also yours craftysewer and Millenniumbug1.

I was feeling reasonably sanguine about it yesterday but all my fears have come flooding back today. Which is not especially good timing as I have quite an important meeting at work this afternoon.

Thanks for the info about the website - I might check that out if I have time.

ps. my mum is coming with me. I actually wouldn't mind going alone in some ways, but she is going to help me find the place. And as others have said, in case I have any biopsy done it would be useful in case I don't much feel like driving afterward.
I also saw that I said yesterday I was 'still feeling sick about it all'. Goes to show how much sicker I feel today if I thought I was sanguine yesterday in comparison!

I'm back. All is well. I have never been so relieved. Clinic was great, very busy but very efficient. Only needed an ultrasound after the initial examination. Basically it's fibrocystic breast tissue. Ultrasound operator showed me on the screen and explained that that part of my breast which feels lumpy is quite dense and that can become sensitive. Nothing sinister on there. Took about two and a half hours to get through the system. Then had final consultation with same person I'd seen initially.
I was a mess as I left work at lunchtime and tearful as I walked to the hospital, but felt better once got there.
I feel drained from the worry big the last few days, but so relieved.
Really wishing you lots of luck for tomorrow littlemouse and for Friday, crafty. Thanks for bring there. X

Fantastic news. Good luck little mouse too.

Great news!

What a relief! I've had a few lumps checked out (with a horrible BC family history) and I know that feeling!

So pleased for you, go and enjoy Christmas

Brilliant news Minty! I've been thinking of you today.
Enjoy a celebratory big and relax into those Christmas plans!
Thanks for the hand hold everyone. It's appreciated as I haven't told many of my friends. One of my best friends did have breast cancer this year, and I'm worried it'll really stress people out if I mention it.

I have been investigated several times for breast changes. Honestly what you can feel really sounds like normal tissue. I know we are told to get checked for any lump but they mean a lump that is very distinguishable from the tissue around it Breast tissue is not smooth It is made up of fat and glands and lobes and all of these are lumpy and become more pronounced when the breasts swell during menstruation. You should get referred so you can have your worries sorted out but they will no doubt say there is nothing there. Your GP is not referring you because there is nothing wrong. You need to deal with your anxiety over everything else I think. Can you afford to have an ultrasound privately if GP won't refer? Costs about £250.

Oops didnt read whole thread!

Hi, I got into a state a while back. I think I even posted on here.
I realised it was just a pre-period lumpiness which goes away with the new cycle. However, if it is making you that anxious then please go back. It is now affecting your health anyway.

So glad all is clear x

What a relief mintymelons, so glad everything turned out well. xx

Can I just jump on board here too, my story is a little different. I had twins a year ago and found a lump at the time and got it checked by a doctor at the time who said it was cartilige. A year on another lump I found in my other breast whilst I was breast feeding still hadn't gone and had gotten bigger. I went to see my doctor and she reassured me that it felt like fibrous tissue, but would I like her to refer me... I declined because I trusted her opinion. One week later I start feel stabby pains in my breast and aching into my armpit (pulled muscle? But wouldn't explain the stabby pains). I made the mistake of googling the aches and pains and thats it, i'm obsessing and freaking out and can't help thinking the worst. I have no family history of BC and 28 (29 next month). I'm off to the doctors this afternoon to ask for a referral, I need to know 100% so I can stop feeling so anxious and panicky. I was going to post my own thread and then saw this one.

So glad you were clear Minty.

Hi mrsdaisaku.
Yes it's best to get it checked properly even so that your mind can be put at rest. It's easy for me to be nonchalant today but I was beyond stressed before I had my appointment yesterday (as you can tell from my posts!). I'm ten years older than you and from what I've read (which is lots) BC is very rare in under 30s and still fairly rare in under 40s. Hope you get a referral for that peace of mind.