Terrified mum.. please give advice? Breast cancer worries

[MamaOl]

I’m a single mother to a 2 year old boy, he is my absolute world, and I am his. He is the most joyous little delight to be around.

However, i’m extremely scared. Because I’ve got symptoms of breast cancer and I have a doctors appointment on Thursday. Had the appointment for two weeks but now it’s fast approaching I am terrified. Of what they’ll say. Of the worst scenario. Of my little boy having to go through the worst scenario.

I really need any mums that have gone through anything similar to please give me advice, feeling broken :(

*note - I have posted this in the “parenting” threads beforehand but I did not know there were health threads, hoping to get more response on this

What are your symptoms and how old are you?

Oh bless you. I'm not a single mum but I did lose both my parents when I was young which makes me very anxious about my own health and the possibility of leaving my sons prematurely, and I totally understand how anxious you must be feeling.

Of course logically you must know it is unlikely that your symptoms are breast cancer. I, and several of my friends have had lumps and other problems which can be symptoms of breast cancer, which turned out not to be. I also have 2 good friends who were diagnosed relatively young (though older than you) and who are very much still around to tell the tale. However, I think you need to go to your GP appointment (and well done for not burying your head in the sand) and be prepared for the fact that it is very likely they will refer you quickly for further investigation, not because they necessarily suspect cancer but simply because they must rule it it.

Do you want to share what your symptoms are?

I’m 26, and my symptoms are on/off inverted nipple, burning sensation and armpit discomfort :( my mum also has breast cancer which worries me I’m at more risk

I wonder if it's some kind of infection? I'm so sorry I can't be any proper help but didn't want you to be alone on this thread. The odds are very much on your side but, having been through a scare myself last year, I doubt there is anything that anyone will be able to say to put your mind at rest, until you see the doctor.

Twig is absolutely right in saying it's highly unlikely to be cancer but whilst you're waiting you might want to hang out on the cancer support thread, which is for those with cancer and also having tests for cancer.

Hopefully your visit will be brief and we will wave you goodbye very soon but it can be a help whilst you're dealing with the stress of tests. For breast cancer the 2 week referral path is very, very smooth and well practised. Good luck.

Being scared is inevitable so don't beat yourself up for feeling as you do. However, although no one can say that you have or don't have cancer, despite your mum suffering from it, you don't fall into the age group/symptoms most associated with it. Moreover, just think that every hospital in the UK, elone day à week if not more, will have a clinic full of women waiting to see a consultant and having a scan because they presented with what could potentially be breast cancer. Most will be older women with a lump. Yet only 1 out of 10, 10 out of 100 will be diagnosed with it.

So hold on as you go through it, that is assuming your gp even refer you to the hospital and remind yourself of these facts. Talk to people around you. My mistake was not to do as a number of my friends had been through it themselves.

Not a young single mother but I’ve had breast cancer.
It’s statistically unlikely to be breast cancer because most breast changes in younger women aren’t. Something like 94% of women who get referred have benign conditions. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get checked because there is still the rare case in very young women.

If your referred - and you might well be - then you’ll be checked thoroughly and hopefully reassured. It is scary waiting. That’s the hard bit. Hopefully you’ll be told all is well, to go home and get on with life.

Worst case is that is a malignancy and once you know that, you can deal with it. The treatment isn’t something you’d choose but it’s really not that awful either.
I had surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and am still on tamoxifen nine years later. The support from the NHS was fantastic. Most women - and I mean the overwhelming majority- now live with breast cancer they don’t die from it. It’s a year of treatment on and off. It passes quickly.
Surgery is often day surgery. I had four days in hospital, a week or so unable to drive because of drains but then back doing most things.
Chemotherapy wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I imagined it would be. EVery three weeks I went and had some drugs. Two days later I felt a bit grim for three days then started feeling better again. Symptoms were very well controlled. I worked through just taking about two days off each cycle.
Radiotherapy was tiresome because it was daily. But not all day just an hour or so. It was more boring than anything else.

Fingers crossed all is well but just know even in the worst case it’s usually ok.

Thank you so much everyone for your messages, I feel better having said it even on a forum, I’m hoping nothing comes of it Thursday, that worry is always there though.

Feel like I also need to apologise, as so many of you are saying it’s unlikely to be breast cancer, I am sorry to you all for potentially wasting your time and also to those who definitely have it when I may or may not 😔 love to everyone going through it. X

There is no need to apologise at all. Everyone starts where you are now - with FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt). Fortunately most people don't have to deal with anything more but you are absolutely right to get this checked out.

I know its difficult but you have to try and not worry. I have a history of breast issues in my left side. Last year was really bad. I posted on here and the support was incredible.
I basically had constant pain, burning, redness. I couldn't wear my bra for 2 months. One doctor kept fobbing me off, then another found a lump and got me checked out. I thought there was a lump too, but when the doctor confirmed it I convinced myself of the worst. And as the pain seems to get worse in a few areas of my breast, my anxiety peaked and I just couldn't escape my worries of the worst. I am 32 wit h a 4 year old DS. I am on my own and his father has no contact and hasn't for most his life. So anything health related seriously scares the shit out of me. I will cry just thinking about what will happen if the worst was the case and what would happen to my boy.
The wait for my appt was the worst. The day of the breast clinic it couldnt of been handled better. Staff were lovely, consultant was through and has agreed to keep seeing me whenever I experience these long periods of discomfort. He said if pain is present it is most unlikely to be anything sinister unless something is seriously advanced, but he wants to keep an eye on the lump in the underneath of my beast too for any changes.
I know its hard, and its not the best advice coming from an anxiety sufferer but please keep yourself busy. And think positive.
I have a friend who only discovered she had breast cancer from a routine mammogram. And it turns out she had a difficult kind to treat. She is now cancer free. It is my understanding if anything is bad then they act on it extremely fast.
Lots of love xx

Good luck tomorrow MamaOl Hope all goes well.

Best of luck tomorrow @MamaOl. We are all thinking of you x

Im 27 and have the same fear found a 2cm lump 14 months ago i got a ultrasound done and they didnt think it was anything to worry about now my gp has referred me again as lump is still there and now she reckons my other breast feels lumpy..but im experience on and off pain in the breast that has the lump over 14 months ..im so scared its cancer

Thank you @NGC2017 @TwigTheWonderKid, that means a lot. Will update you later today xx

I do know that pain is not necessarily a symptom of breast cancer. More likely to be something else if painful. The GP told me this.

How did you get on @MamaOl?

@TwigTheWonderKid sorry I’ve just put boy to bed, so I can let you know now that I’ve been given the thumbs up! Doctor checked me over and said she wasn’t sure why my breast had changes but put my other symptoms down to sensitivity as she felt no lumps. Feel like a weight has been lifted xx

That's brilliant news MamaOl What a relief!

That’s great news OP.

Super. I'm so happy for you x

What good news. Very pleased for you.

Thank you everyone xx

Excellent news.