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Original poster

Breast lump !

59 replies

Rtpx · 18/03/2018 10:04

Morning lovely ladies.
On friday I found a lump at the base of my right breast .. I’ve had a cyst before and this feels TOTALLY different.
I’m consumed with panic, I have a beautiful, darling, amazing 7 month old!
Phoning the GP tomorrow, should I ask for a same day appointment ? Routine appointments take 4-6 weeks at my surgery.
Feel sick with worry!

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 18/03/2018 11:36

Yes insist on an urgent appointment. Remember that the majority of lumps aren't cancer but it's best to get it checked straight away. Flowers

Original poster
Rtpx · 18/03/2018 17:35

Thank you, I’m going to phone first thing

OP posts:
MinnieMinchkin · 18/03/2018 23:20

I got an "emergency" appointment when I told the receptionist I had a breast lump, even though I hadn't insisted one one. So tell them what you need to see the gp for. That was 2 weeks ago and am going to the hospital tomorrow for checks, as per the 2 week wait NHS guidelines.

I'm hoping it is just a cyst, but don't know if it is.

What is the difference for you this time? Most lumps are nothing to worry about, fingers crossed for us both x

Original poster
Rtpx · 19/03/2018 07:17

Good luck please keep us updated !

My cyst was perfectly round and fairly small; this one is large and irregularly shaped and attached firmly to the breast tissue Sad

OP posts:
MinnieMinchkin · 19/03/2018 08:19

It does sound different. Hope you get your appointment sorted ASAP. My GP receptionist told me to go to the walk-in centre if she couldn't find me a same day appointment, so they must also be able to do the referrals.

My lump is small, and I struggle to identify it in my normal lumpy breast tissue. I was surprised that the GP found it so easily. It hurts more than the rest of the boobs just before my period, and even more so when DD comes in for a hug as it's at her head height!

Fingers staying crossed for us x

MinnieMinchkin · 19/03/2018 12:19

Metro arrived just as I got my ticket for my journey to the hospital, got the front seat and the sun is shining, so I've got to feel optimistic Smile

Sup3rnan · 19/03/2018 12:19

Stay positive. Don't panic. Get an emergency appointment, insist.
Good luck

MinnieMinchkin · 19/03/2018 17:30

Did you get an appointment sorted Rtpx?

I have been given a thorough once over and sent on my way. I'm very relieved, but would kind of like to know what the painful lump is, apart from "not sinister". They didn't elucidate but didn't seem worried, either, so I'll just ignore it for now.

Kahlua4me · 20/03/2018 08:18

I found a lump this weekend too 😟. It feels huge and I can’t understand why I haven’t noticed it before. There is, maybe, one on the other breast in the same place but much smaller.

My period started yesterday, whilst I was sat waiting to see GP so not sure if it related.
Anyway, he has referred me for tests as he said that he likes to err on the side of caution and would rather get it checked properly.

Have you got your appt through yet rtpx? I felt okay yesterday but full of panic this morning...

MinnieMinchkin · 20/03/2018 12:55

Did you get your referral already, Kahlua? My GO was able to book me in during my appointment. I'm not sure how common a process that is, as she seemed surprised the system was working Smile

MinnieMinchkin · 20/03/2018 12:57

Sorry, pressed post too soon.

I managed to stick my head in the sand until the day before my hospital visit, but I know what you mean about the panic setting in. Just beat in mind that the vast majority of lumps are not sinister.

Thanks
Kahlua4me · 20/03/2018 15:22

Thank you for your reply, I feel calmer now. My dad died of cancer when he was only 45 and as I am now older than that, and going into the menopause my coping levels seem to be rapidly vanishing as fast as my panic is rising. I was always such a calm, rational person, but not any more.

I have rung the mammogram service at the hospital and my name is on their system. The lady I spoke to you was very lovely to me and explained that they will ring me tomorrow morning but if I have not heard by 2pm I can ring them to see what’s happening. She said I will certainly be seen in next 10 days..

I seem to have several lumps all over as well as an almost identical one on the other side, just not as big, so am hoping it is just menstrual or peri menopausal related. Fingers crossed.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 20/03/2018 15:44

Glad you rang OP, hopefully you won't have to wait too long. The waiting is the worst bit I think. Flowers

counttotenandbreathe · 20/03/2018 15:57

It must have been a weekend for it as I also found a tiny lump on Friday! Never ever will I check on a Friday night again the weekend was very long. Anyway got appointment at doc first thing monday she felt it and said hmmmm it's regular and smooth possibly a cyst but still referred so got clinic app for next Tuesday. I am a real health anxiety worrier and now have the most awful neck and shoulder pain (tension) but can't stop the dread that overcomes me that it's cancer and it's already spread. Totally irrational I know but you can't tell yourself to stop!! Anyway a heat pack and ibuprofen are wading my aches just roll on Tuesday and hopefully I can put this all behind me x hope all is well with my fellow lump finders!!

MinnieMinchkin · 20/03/2018 16:40

Hi Rtpx any update?

I know what you mean about worruing about you healthy, Kahlua. My mum died of cancer at 50, and we don't know what the primary site was. I'm 43 and seem to worry more and more. It's good that you have the appointment so know how long you'll be waiting.

I think that you should feel reassured by your GP's opinion, Count, they avoid making diagnoses at all unless they are fairly confident.

counttotenandbreathe · 20/03/2018 19:09

Thanks Minnie my husband said similar and when I'm feeling ok I agree totally it's just crazy worrier me that gets carried away Blush

Kahlua4me · 20/03/2018 19:56

This healthy anxiety is terrible isn’t it? I have only had it in last few months really. I guess it’s been creeping up on me for a few years but hit me like a tidal wave as I went into perimenopause!

counttotenandbreathe · 20/03/2018 20:58

kahlua it is mine was triggered badly after my mum died from leukaemia within 2weeks of diagnosis. However i am a born worrier. I have found writing down my feelings, worries, rational and irrational thoughts has helped me loads as I can see patterns of aches and pains. But this lump has triggered me but even within 24 hrs I feel more positive and rational. Hope you do too.

MinnieMinchkin · 20/03/2018 21:39

I must apologise for my atrocious spelling and grammar in my earlier post. I didn't have my reading glasses on. Another delight of growing older...

I asked the hospital dr about hypochondria, as I felt like one of the worried-well, but she told me that it was what the service is for, that most breast lumps are nothing to worry about and that it's always worth getting them checked out.

Kahlua4me · 20/03/2018 22:26

Thank you for your kind words, it has really helped me.

That’s a good plan, counttoten, I think I will try writing all my thoughts and feelings down. My mum died nearly 3 years ago in an accident on holiday. The pain has been immense and some days I struggled just to breathe. I now worry about all sorts of things that never bothered me before, going on holiday being the worst. I worried frequently about dying and not being there for my gorgeous family but over time that has calmed down.

I have been having counselling which has helped enormously and was finally starting to feel better and then I find this lump and am back at the beginning again.

Anyway sorry to derail the thread, I didn’t mean to at all, but have found it very supportive.

How was your day rtpx? Have you had a date through yet?

MinnieMinchkin · 20/03/2018 23:17

I'm sure the timing is made worse for us with us finding these lumps around mother's day

Stay strong Thanks

pinkoneblueone · 20/03/2018 23:24

I have a mammogram on Thursday for a very large lump I have put off from having checked for years. It's painful often and feels attached to tissue too I had a normal doctor ms appointment and she had someone contact me the same day to book the appointment at the hospital. I'm scared as I know I should have had it looked at sooner. What made me go is I now have puckered skin on my side and had pain in my arm and shoulder. I hope that you are all ok.

dahliaaa · 21/03/2018 00:46

Hi everyone just wanted to wish you well with your appointments. My mum had breast cancer in her 40's (recovered) and I've had a number of lumps investigated. The clinics are always brilliantly and have always said to me never to be worried about wasting their time. One consultant said to me that the vast majority of women she sees do not have breast cancer and that's exactly how she liked it.

Also completely recognised all your developing health anxiety. I'm being investigated for something else at the moment but my wonderful DH was diagnosed out of the blue with a life limiting illness and the shock of that (plus this desperate need to be ok gif our family) has definitely pushed me into HA. The issue I've got at the moment is genuine but I find it much harder now not to go straight to 'catastrophic.'
Hope you all get your minds put as ease very soon,

Kahlua4me · 22/03/2018 06:52

pinkoneblueone wishing you well for your test today.

McZeba · 22/03/2018 08:52

Joining the thread to say good luck to pinkoneblueone - I was diagnosed in October with Stage 2 Grade 3 invasive ductual carcinoma of the right breast. My only symptoms were a slight flattening on the underside of the breast and it appeared smaller than the other. I had a mammo and biopsy, then an MRI which showed 3 tumors - the largest being 5.5cm. So no matter how small your worry is - get things checked.