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Original poster

Breast lump and 34 weeks pregnant

77 replies

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 13:13

A few weeks ago I found a lump in my breast, I stayed really calm about it and made an appointment with my gp who confirmed yes that's a lump and referred me to the breast clinic, 2 weeks on I have just had my appointment at the breast clinic and the lump is about an inch long, the edges are uneven and it is a solid mass so they took a biopsy. I now have to wait 3 weeks for the results! It should be sooner but there are no appointments before. Just wondering if anyone has had any experiences like this that have turned out to be nothing serious?

I have been so calm but this has got me worried! Thanks in advance. x

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watchingitallagain · 03/05/2017 13:16

No experience myself but I wanted to say try not to panic. You've done what you can as soon as you can.
It's not necessarily cancer and it's important for you and the baby that you look after yourself.

Enidblyton1 · 03/05/2017 13:18

I'm not a medic, but 3 weeks for biopsy results seems totally unacceptable. Hopefully someone in the medical profession can come on here and reassure you that your results will come back much sooner if you do have something which requires treatment.

LuluJakey1 · 03/05/2017 22:01

My mum had biopsy results within 3 days. 3 weeks is a dreadful wait, especially when you are pregnant.
WOuld you get a quicker result if you paid for the lab work - is that even possible?

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 22:05

It's going to be a long 3 weeks. I saw the ultrasound screen and it doesn't look good at all so I just feel like I would rather find out and get fixed up sooner rather than later. If it's nothing serious then even better! I tried calling a private hospital and they would be able to get the results for me sooner but if it is bad news it would take longer to get me back in to the NHS system so I am better off waiting. Not feeling very patient!

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Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 22:07

The reason for the wait is that there are no appointments until then! Honestly I'd rather be told by phone or anything than wait that long!

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LuluJakey1 · 03/05/2017 22:12

I would be in a right state if I had that on my mnd for 3 weeks. I gave birth 3 weeks ago and it is a tough enough time without such an awful worry hanging over you. I think it is terrible that you have to wait that long. Did they say why it is taking so long? Usually breast clinics get results very quickly. My mum's first biopsy was actually done in the lab while we were at the clinic and she got those results that morning. She needed a second which took 3 days. I have never heard of anyne waiting 3 weeks for breast biopsy results. I feel really angry on your behalf.

LuluJakey1 · 03/05/2017 22:13

Sorry just read your update.

TheVanguardSix · 03/05/2017 22:23

Maybe you can't get in to see the consultant for three weeks but surely you can have a phone consultation beforehand. Especially if the news isn't great, the consultant will be eager to discuss and get you in. They won't sit on a biopsy that comes back positive for cancer.

Worry when you have to OP. I've had lumps and a biopsy in 2 of my pregnancies and got the all clear. Two of my cousins developed breast cancer in pregnancy. It's been 10 years now. Both mums are doing great and the babies are big kids now. They've never looked back.

Hold onto hope. Try not to fear. God knows it's impossible not to be afraid. But do ring for your results in about a week. Believe me, I reiterate, they won't sit on a diagnosis of breast cancer. Definitely not in pregnancy. Forgive me if I sound blasé! My mother and aunt both had BC. 5 of their siblings have had cancer. My brother currently has cancer. We live and breathe it in my family.

Just keep blowing up their phone next week! Be pushy. The squeaky wheel get the oil and all of that! Good luck OP.

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 22:23

Thanks lulu! That makes me mad that I have to wait even though the results will be there waiting! I don't care to see a dr I would be happy just to find out either way so I can get my head around it. I'm going to keep phoning them and telling them about stressing a heavily pregnant woman for longer than necessary! I might call my Gp in the morning, they're excellent and may be able to make some calls on my behalf or even get the results for me.

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ProjectGainsborough · 03/05/2017 22:29

Good plan to be persistent. I had a lump in pregnancy and it was a lactation thing - quite common apparently. Hopefully yours will be the same, but keep hounding them to put your mind at ease and as another poster said 'worry when you need to worry'.

gemsparkle84 · 03/05/2017 22:29

I would assume that's a standard follow up appointment providing nothing more urgent appears. I think it's a good thing

I had a breast lump when I was around 20 weeks. My Mum was diagnosed with bc at 37 and passed away in 2014 aged 54 so I assumed the worst. Luckily it was a cyst and I was told on the day. Pregnancy does ridiculous things to our bodies and especially our breasts. I think they're just being over cautious which is a good thing. My fingers crossed for you xxx

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 22:30

Thank you vanguard, I'm sorry to hear your family has such a tough time! You sound like you all handle it very well! Yes that's what worries me that they'll know but I won't! I will definitely be nagging constantly!

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Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 22:35

It definitely isn't a cyst or a blocked duct or anything. It's a solid mass with jagged edges, my best case scenario is something fibrous. I just need to know, this should be such an exciting time, my 3rd baby is due in 5 weeks and this is casting a huge shadow!

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pepperrabbit · 03/05/2017 22:46

Feel free to join us on the lacies thread for people waiting for results or who have cancer, we're very friendly!
Here
I typed a long message then lost it but rest assured, they'd tell you sooner, but not over the phone. I was phoned to come in for results roughly 4 days before they had told me they would even have the results - I suspect there's some flexibility in the system for just such outcomes. But do remember, 9 out of 10 lumps are benign, and if you are young enough to be PG you have a statistically lower risk of cancer anyway.

TheVanguardSix · 03/05/2017 23:00

Oh you poor thing. You're about to pop number 3 and you've got two kiddies to look after...And then this worry. My memory is hazy because it's been a few years since I had the first lump/biopsy with DC1 (now 15). My lump was fibrous and I had a thickening in the tissue as well. I was terrified. It came back normal...Just as a fibrous lump which had to do with hormonal changes in (late) pregnancy. It all went away until the next lump/next pregnancy. I've had a few over the years and especially in all of my pregnancies. It's incredibly likely to be just a scary but benign lump. But of course, rest assured they absolutely won't keep you waiting if the outcome is anything to worry about.

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 03/05/2017 23:26

Vanguard yes I've got my hands full for sure! Luckily I am quite a level headed person otherwise I'd be a wreck by now! What did your lumps look like on ultrasound?

Pepper thank you! Yes I'm 34 so not too old for having a 3rd (and last) one I suppose. So did yours come back cancerous or not? What happened after they called you in? I hope they do let me know it just sounded like there was no space for anything for that long but yeah maybe they do keep some spaces for emergencies.

My husband is furious that they wouldn't prioritise a pregnant woman and allow me to have this worry for so long so late in pregnancy too. He couldn't come to my appointment either as he stayed home with our little one so we didn't have to tell anyone. (I don't want to be asked constantly about it so couldn't ask for help from family) obviously I will tell them if it's something but I would be asked daily if I'm ok and has it changed etc and I just wanted to forget about it until my appointment.

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Mrsknackered · 04/05/2017 09:26

I can't believe the wait is so long. Bless you OP! Hope you can do as much as possible to keep your mind off it.
No personal experience of it myself, but my aunt had a breast lump when pregnant and all the signs were looking like it wasn't going to be good news but thankfully, it wasn't cancerous.
My godmother developed cancer when she was pregnant, was diagnosed a month before she gave birth. Her and her beautiful daughter are fit and well 7 years on.

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 04/05/2017 10:20

Hi mrsknackered, thank you. Just shows you never know! So far I'm finding myself a little distracted by it all. I'm going to try my go and see if she can help me. x

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Enidblyton1 · 04/05/2017 21:53

Have been thinking of you today. Did you manage to speak to your GP?

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 04/05/2017 21:58

That's sweet Enidblyton1! No I phoned and left a message asking if she would speak to me about it but haven't heard back yet. I will try on Monday if I hear nothing tomorrow and will also start pestering the breast clinic next week. I have a MW appointment tomorrow too so will get her advice. x

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MeadowDream · 04/05/2017 22:00

That is a really long time to wait for biopsy results. They should see you within two weeks if they are worried. I would definitely recommend asking your GP to see if this can be reported sooner, I hope you have had chance to do this today if you aren't getting anywhere with that I would contact the hospital again and explain that you are pregnant and can't wait three weeks for results. They will have a way to fit you in if they need to see you, even if it means double booking an appointment.
I hope it is fibrous and related to changes in pregnancy and you can relax, but three weeks of worry won't do you any good.

MeadowDream · 04/05/2017 22:00

Sorry x post

Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 04/05/2017 22:27

Thanks meadow, I know it's far to long to be worrying! I will keep on them, it will give me something to focus my attention on if nothing else! the dr initially said come back in 2 weeks but when I got to reception all the dr's are away that week on some convention in Belfast! Not good enough! x

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Original poster

Oopsypoopsy · 05/05/2017 11:45

Just had my fortnightly midwife appointment. She said there's no way that if it's cancer they'll sit on it for 3 weeks, they would call me in right away. She said if I heard nothing for 3 weeks then it's probably a case of no news is good news. Now I'm hoping that I don't hear from them😂!!! Although I would like to receive good news sooner than that too so I can just forget about it until I'm done breast feeding the baby. Then I can think about having the lump removed as it is a painful lump even if it's nothing serious. x

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tobee · 05/05/2017 11:57

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