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Original poster

So yea. There's a lump in my breast.

39 replies

backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 17:59

Yea. Lump in my breast. Was ok about this till the gp said I need to go to the breast clinic.

Now I'm worried. Very worried.

Any experiences welcome

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Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 18:07

No experiences...I'm feeling a little needy here!

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DoItTooJulia · 10/10/2016 18:09

Hey. No experience, but I'm about to chat. How soon will your appointment be?

user1471453601 · 10/10/2016 18:10

Hi there, as my experience is so very recent (lumpectomy done on Thursday afternoon, discharged Thursday evening), I thought I'd reply.

This is my second go round with breast cancer, right breast lumpectomy with node clearance in 1998 and now left breast. I'm going to say something that is unhelpful but true...
It depends on size and spread, that's if it's cancer at all. Many lumps aren't.

This second operation has been so uneventful I'm still finding it hard to believe. I'm doing all the things I normally do, I need no pain killers, the arm exercises I have been given are easy too.

I find out next week what further treatment I need.

Good luck. My Mum used to tell me never to borrow trouble from tomorrow. Good advice, but not easy to do.

bronteales · 10/10/2016 18:10

Didn't want to read and run.

All I can tell you is that I found a lump on mine about 11 months ago and was referred to the breast clinic near me within a week.

I had a nurse look at it and had an ultra sound and it turned out to be a cyst. It was a small hard lump and I thought it might be the worst but it wasn't. I check more regularly now.

Just be reassured that most women who go to these clinics do not end up having cancer so the statistics are in your favour. It won't stop you worrying but it's normal to worry.

Good luck xxx

BumbleNova · 10/10/2016 18:10

well you are definitely doing the right thing. there is only one way to find out if its a problem or not and it wont go away if you ignore it.

i know its hard, but I wouldnt be terrified just yet. you can have non-cancerous lumps.

lostowl · 10/10/2016 18:11

It's standard to send you.

You'll go in, get an ultrasound and then they might leave it, Aspirate it or refer you.

I got a '3' if I remember correctly which is 'unknown' but it ended up being fine even then. Don't worry, I know it's hard not to.

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 18:12

Everyone's in a hurry to tell me it's probably not cancer. So I'm taking that as a positive. I'm prone to bacterial skin infections so that could play a part.

This sounds strange but I just feel numb. It's weird. Least I will have empathy with people when I help them since I just accepted s job at the Macmillan cancer charity. Oh the irony!

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muminmanchester · 10/10/2016 18:15

I've had 2 lumps removed, both turned out on results to be fibroadenomas - basically benign cysts. Try not to worry for now, there are lots of other things it could be.

It was still bloody terrifying though so sending a big supportive hug. Good luck Flowers

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 18:24

Thank you. It's the waiting 4 weeks that's going to be the hard part. No choice but to wait really

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BackforGood · 10/10/2016 18:27

It's standard practice to send you, and for you to be seen quickly.
Statistically, it's much more likely to NOT be cancer, than to be cancer.
Even if it is cancer, it is also statistically likely to be very treatable.

If you have specific questions or want to chat with other ladies going through this, nip over to a thread called Tamoxifen, in General Health. Loads of fab support there. Smile

applecharlotte · 10/10/2016 18:39

Hi - I went through this a couple of months ago. I think the stat is 9 out of 10 lumps seen at breast clinics are benign so the odds are good. They are more usually a fatty lump or a fluid filled cyst than cancer.

Smooth edges are good and also a lump that moves and changes shape as you press it. I think cancer is bumpy and the texture of an uncooked carrot eg. Hard.

My doc found a 2cm lump at a check, by the time I went to the breast clinic the lump was visible when I lifted my arm up and I was totally freaked out.

However the consultant said it was a cyst pretty much instantly and sent me for an ultrasound that confirmed a 4cm monster cyst along with another two cysts in my other breast.

The consultant said I just had lumpy breasts, that the cysts will prob fluctuate in size and then sent me home.

The two week wait is awful tho so I hope you get seen really soon. I felt numb as well I think it's just the shock. The consultant was really wonderful actually as were all the staff in the clinic.

Congrats on the job - I guess you are well placed to find out information and hear more experiences.

applecharlotte · 10/10/2016 18:41

Hang on - 4 weeks? I thought they had a 2 week rule?

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 19:31

I'm in Scotland maybe it's different

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Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 20:09

May also just be super busy. Things are stretched

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useristired · 10/10/2016 20:16

Going through this now too.
Had an ultrasound last week that was 'inconclusive '
Ct scan booked for this week. Absolutely petrified and almost like it isn't real.
Agree the waiting is the most horrific thing.
My thoughts are with you

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 10/10/2016 20:19

My thoughts are with you to. It's frightening isint it, so many unknowns

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WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 11/10/2016 13:09

Sorry you are going through this. You are more than welcome to join us over on the cancer support thread. We have lots of people who pop in while waiting for test results and thankfully most of them don't need to stay long :)

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 11/10/2016 13:56

Thank you. I will come over in a while

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Butterfly4040 · 11/10/2016 19:05

I had a mammogram a few weeks ago and I was worried too. It was just scar tissue in the end. I did panic though especially as it had been there for a long time and I tried to ignore it. Hope all goes well for you too

whaaaaat · 12/10/2016 10:48

Hi,

I had an ultrasound on a hard breast lump yesterday, which was inconclusive , as the lump didn't look exactly like a cyst and it was too small to drain (although they tried) they had to do a biopsy, so am also having to wait. It's horrible, but you do need to look at the statistics. Having said that, I'm not really dealing with this that well, so just wanted to say I understand how you're feeling and I hope everything turns out ok.

lostowl · 12/10/2016 17:40

Mine was inconclusive and it ended up being a bit of bone! So weird!

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 12/10/2016 18:05

whaaaaat I hope you get a definite answer soon and that it's something harmless :) the waiting is certainly the worst bit. You're welcome to join the cancer support thread too if you'd find it helpful. Or if you look back at the past few threads you will see how many people post waiting for results and then get good news :) (and there are probably lots more who just lurk and never need to post). The stats are on your side, as you say, but that doesn't make it easier. Good luck Flowers

whaaaaat · 13/10/2016 09:33

What, thank you. Hope I'm not hijacking Confused

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 13/10/2016 17:12

Well appointment next week after the thought of having to wait.

That shit just got real x

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Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 13/10/2016 18:28

Christ I just read the stuff about tests, they're going to have to knock me out to do that shit!

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