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Original poster

Found a lump last night

29 replies

Custardee · 12/11/2018 09:19

Hi, I don't know what to do, found a lump in my breast last night but I was day 1 period so it could just be that? It's hard and behind the top of my nipple, still there this morning. Asked my husband to feel it but he wouldn't, said to get doctor to look at it. Should I just see if it's still there after my period has finished? I'm mid 40s and think staring hormonal changes, maybe perimenopausal so I gues it could be tied up with that. Don't want to waste anyone's time

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EdgyMcNervous · 12/11/2018 09:34

Didn’t want this to go unanswered. I’m 41 and have had a few of these. They do sometimes fluctuate depending on where I am in my cycle but I’ve akways been advised to check them out anyway. Each time I’ve been referred for a mammogram or ultrasound and each time it’s been fine but I would always get it checked out. I have a family history or early death from cancer (grandmother and sister) so am perhaps overly cautious...

But I suppose I’m saying try not to worry, it’s most probably fine but equally don’t feel you are wasting anyone’s time by looking into it - if you’re not sure just be on the safe side 🙂

ThreeGlasses · 12/11/2018 09:37

I work in the Breast clinic. There is no point in waiting (in the nicest possible way).

GPs have referral guidelines, any lump over a certain age is a 2week referral (don’t let that panic you). Go to the GP and see what they say, more than likely you will get a referral.

Do try not to worry. We have rapid referral clinics every morning of the week. At least 100 patients a week with various lumps,bumps and pain. The vast vast majority of them are nothing.

Original poster
Custardee · 12/11/2018 10:40

Thank you, I will phone GP tomorrow for an appointment if still there tomorrow. Many thanks - I didn't want to speak to friends about it as probably unnecessary worrying. Thank you for answering x

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PlonkyPlink · 12/11/2018 10:44

I’m a GP, please go and get it checked, this is exactly what we are there for and you won’t be wasting anyone’s time.

Original poster
Custardee · 12/11/2018 12:12

thank you all, I'm a nurse and I would tell any friends the same thing but perversely I have this fear of wasting time/resources when it comes to my own health. I'll make an appointment, thanks xx

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Original poster
Custardee · 13/11/2018 13:04

went to see GP today, she says it's 2-3cm and smooth-feeling, so it probably is a cyst but referring me to the breast clinic to get it checked. My mum has had a few benign cysts, so maybe it's a hereditary thing. Really glad i got it checked

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minisoksmakehardwork · 13/11/2018 19:10

I went yesterday to gp for a lump I'd found , which has been hanging around for a little while. I've been referred too. Bear in mind this was yesterday, my appointment arrived today and is on Saturday morning! So now I am bricking it even though I was told it's likely to just be a cyst.

Original poster
Custardee · 13/11/2018 21:50

Maybe been made quicker if you've had it a while...I think the waiting times vary all round the country and maybe extra clinics have been out on if it's on a saturday, maybe to clear the waiting times. That's great you've not had to wait long.

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minisoksmakehardwork · 13/11/2018 23:03

I was told to make myself available for the next 2 weeks as it's the expected wait. I'm sure yours should be a similar time frame.

Fingers crossed for 2 annoying but non-threatening cysts between you and I. 🤞

ThreeGlasses · 14/11/2018 07:03

PLEASE don’t let the following scare you, but all lumps are referred under a cancer pathway which means we have to see you in under 2 weeks (in fact we get in a ton of trouble if we don’t).

That’s why your appts are coming through so quickly. We have extra clinics at the weekend and in the evening to keep up with demand and honestly a tiny amount of those patients have cancer, really tiny! I type up the letters for all the patients seen in these clinics and it’s cyst, fatty lumps, normal breast tissue 95% of the time.

Having said that you should ALWAYS get a lump checked don’t just leave it hoping it’s nothing. Please update and let us know how you both get on x

minisoksmakehardwork · 14/11/2018 10:27

Thanks @ThreeGlasses. I am somewhat reassured by the lack of wait as I have a history of female cancers on both sides of my family. Think dh was a bit shocked tbh.

Original poster
Custardee · 14/11/2018 13:05

@ThreeGlasses thank you, that's all very reassuring. Hoping I'll get an appointment date by start of next week so at least know when to be free. @minisoksmakehardwork my DH has totally clammed up and can't talk about it, he finds anything medical a nightmare and just doesn't have it in him to talk about it. I don't mind except lsat night I could've just done with a cuddle. My good news is that my DM had also found a lump (bizarre that it's similar timing!) and got her results today - benign fatty lump that had turned into a cyst. Not sure how hereditary benign breast disease is but it's made me feel better that it's likely that with me too. All fingers crossed all okay with both you and I xx

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minisoksmakehardwork · 14/11/2018 23:25

Yeah. Dh hasn't much mentioned anything. I've told him when my appointment is, and that because he's home I don't have to worry about what to do with the children. I've said he can stay home with them. I think he thinks if he doesn't say anything then even the slim possibility doesn't have to be acknowledged. His cousin has found cancerous lumps twice, and is only a little bit older than me. It might be a bit of self preservation and sticking fingers in his ears going la la la la. Hope you get your appointment soon.

Original poster
Custardee · 15/11/2018 10:36

My DH's sister had breast cancer 5 years ago, successfully treated but I think he's worried and just can't speak about it.

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minisoksmakehardwork · 16/11/2018 20:36

Hi @Custardee, how are you hanging in there?

Original poster
Custardee · 16/11/2018 21:34

Hi, thanks for checking in. I'm okay, I am okay. Still haven't had a letter with appointment, only been a few days but I just want to know when I'm going. Google is currently my friend cause the stats seem to be saying it's highly likely to be a cyst... How are you doing?

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minisoksmakehardwork · 16/11/2018 22:37

I'm ok. Torn between "it IS more likely to be just a cyst" and "but it's in the high risk quadrant".

Can't wait for tomorrow to get here.

EmilyRosiEl · 17/11/2018 00:05

Hope you're OK Custardee! that's good that Google suggests it is likely to be a cyst!

Good luck with your appointment minisok!

I had a breast clinic referral last week and it is a stressful thing to go through!

minisoksmakehardwork · 17/11/2018 09:56

All done. Was at the clinic about an hour. Mammogram and sonogram because the dr could feel some thickening but thankfully all good and nothing to worry about. Hope your get your appointment soon @Custardee and it's also nothing to worry about.

minisoksmakehardwork · 17/11/2018 09:57

They decided it was a swollen lymph node I was feeling. But did say always best to get it checked out, just in case.

Original poster
Custardee · 17/11/2018 10:51

Oh that's brilliant news, so pleased for you! Must be a great feeling!

I'm being ultra-sensitive I know, but a little upset that one of 2 friends I've told messaged last night and was talking about her friend who died of breast cancer. I don't think she put 2 and 2 together but was upset anyway. Think the strain is making me too sensitive!

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minisoksmakehardwork · 17/11/2018 12:59

It is a huge relief. Typically though I couldn't feel it as well by the time I got there. But as soon as I left, yep, bang! there it was. Cheeky fecker. But I'm satisfied with the ultrasound that they would have seen anything to worry about.

I'm sorry your friend was thoughtless. I didn't tell anyone other than dh. I think sometimes people think they have to let you know they know someone who... without thinking of what they are saying. Go easy on yourself. It's very stressful when you are stuck in limbo.

Original poster
Custardee · 17/11/2018 14:51

thanks @minisoksmakehardwork, trying to stay busy to keep mind of things, easy enough with 2 young kids!

Did you have a celebratory drink/dinner/shopping spree?!

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minisoksmakehardwork · 17/11/2018 18:16

I ended up bra shopping 😁. I wondered if mine weren't fitting properly but all good. And then just enjoying the day. Holding your hand while you wait x

Threeglasses · 19/11/2018 18:06

@Custardee, did you hear anything yet?