Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Found a lump - completely freaking out!

46 replies

Zorgothslugofdoom · 19/09/2019 12:22

I found a lump in my breast yesterday. Spent all night reading on line and completely freaking myself out! Been to the GP and been referred on the 2-week cancer pathway. I'm in the fortunate position that I have some savings, so am going to pay and be seen privately on Monday at 9.30. I always think worse case scenario, and am trying hard not to, but I have a 6 year old and just can't help it!
Don't really know why I'm posting, as there's nothing anyone can do until I've been to the doctor, but don't know how I'm going to hold myself together until then. I'm sure other people on here have been through this, so was hoping you might have some words of wisdom!

OP posts:
Damntheman · 19/09/2019 14:20

No real words of wisdom but I've known several people who found lumps which turned out to be totally benign and just tissue masses. Breasts are lumpy things!

Best of luck on monday OP, and a hand hold through until then. I'd be freaking out too.

ChickenyChick · 19/09/2019 14:23

Stop googling.

About 90% or more if breast lumps are harmless.

I had a sudden lump the size of a marble, it was a cyst. They drained it.

You will most likely be fine.

It’s good you noticed it and it is being looked at

fortheloveofgod7654 · 19/09/2019 14:35

These lumps are almost always benign hormonal type cysts. Stop panicking.

LittleMissEngineer · 19/09/2019 15:41

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

verticality · 19/09/2019 15:44

How old are you?

I found a lump - went through the 2 week pathway - found out it was just a benign cyst! It is worrying, but it very often turns out to be something that is of no concern. Good luck. Flowers

Hydrogenbeatsoxygen · 19/09/2019 15:49

I’ve had three breast lumps, all harmless cysts. I do understand why you are freaking out.

I’m also an ovarian cancer survivor, coming up to six years. The NHS are actually better than the private sector, when it comes to treating cancer. I was advised by my GP to stick with the NHS when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

You can get through this, no matter what is thrown at you. We find strength we didn’t know we had. 💐

Original poster
Zorgothslugofdoom · 19/09/2019 16:05

verticality I'm 48; had my son when I was 42 (took 4 rounds of ivf).

hydrogen thanks for the advice - I'll transfer back to NHS after my appointment. Just so freaked out and couldn't face waiting longer than absolutely necessary, so paying for appointment on monday. Everything is crossed and I'm hoping it will be nothing. I know the odds are good, but it's pretty terrifying!

OP posts:
PrettyFlyF0rAWiFi · 19/09/2019 16:18

I was in same position in January. I'm 47. I stayed up all night crying and panicking. I too booked to be seen privately.

I managed to see my GP the next day (found lump late on a Sunday evening) and she booked me in to look at it. She felt it, said it was highly likely to be a fibroadenoma as she could ' move' it around and it was small and smooth. She said she'd refer me as they always do but that she could say ' with a lot of confidence' that it wasn't anything nasty

Upshot was she managed to calm me down enough that I cancelled my private appointment which was going to be £££. I was seen on the NHS 9 days later and I still panicked those 9 days but tried to remember my doctor being so reassuring

Was checked at the breast clinic and although they could feel it, they said it was absolutely nothing, not even a fibroadenoma! Just a nothing. Oh right!

It then gradually disappeared over about 3 months. I panicked so much I think because I've never ever had a lump before.

It was a hideous time and I felt so low going through it but trust me, google won't help. Try and be guided by the fact that 9 out of 10 lumps seen are nothing and the 1 in 10 that are something, well, there's then a 90% chance they're treatable

Original poster
Zorgothslugofdoom · 19/09/2019 16:26

pretty thanks for the message! I'm trying to calm down a bit, just a natural panicker when it comes to me (very calm when dealing with other people's problems, just not my own).

OP posts:
Corncobb · 19/09/2019 16:33

I've had two, awfully stressful but you need to relax and tackle everything as it comes, it's most likely nothing!

You have a wait regardless, a to b, you can either relax and get to b or stress and ruin your days and still arrive at, the same b!

ImTheDamnFoolThatShotHim · 19/09/2019 16:33

Hi, I'm 48 & over the years had two lumps, I felt exactly the same as you. Please stop googling though it can make you sick with worry.
The lumps I had were fibroadenomas, they are very very common, and benign.

All the best, will be thinking of you...

cocomelon23 · 19/09/2019 16:37

I found a lump a few years ago. The GP thought it was a cyst but referred me anyway. It turns out it was a fibro adenoma which cause no harm at all. Understand how worried you are though, please try not to worry.

Livebythecoast · 19/09/2019 17:01

Just to reassure you a bit..
I refer patients through the NHS and in south east kent, every lump found is automatically referred through the rapid access 2 week wait now regardless of age, symptoms etc. Obviously I can't talk for other districts but I would hope this is the case all round.
Easy to say I know but try not to worry x

Original poster
Zorgothslugofdoom · 24/09/2019 17:01

Went to see the consultant yesterday and had a mammogram. He said it looks suspicious, most likely not a cyst, and to be prepared - but, it's in a single location, with no indication of spreading or lymph node involvement. Going for ultrasound and biopsy tomorrow, then results on Monday 30th. Told to prepare for an operation, but not to panic, and that can't say more until biopsy results are in. Strangely, I feel a bit calmer just knowing I'm going to get answers and there'll be a plan on monday. Thanks for the support, everyone - it means a lot!

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 24/09/2019 17:03

Good that you've been seen and there's a plan in place.

Sending you a handhold lass.

Hydrogenbeatsoxygen · 24/09/2019 21:21

Handhold from me too. 🤝

Loubzz · 25/09/2019 00:24

Handhold for you Flowers

IdblowJonSnow · 25/09/2019 00:41

And from me too. Plan sounds good, hope you get sorted quickly. Flowers

Bloodybridget · 25/09/2019 04:46

Zorgoth, do pop over to the cancer support thread in General Health, it's for anyone awaiting diagnosis for a
suspected cancer as well as those having treatment.

Skap · 25/09/2019 10:51

As Bridget says there is a very supportive thread for those waitng for cancer tests or with cancer.

Borntobeamum · 25/09/2019 15:41

Please come and join the above mentioned thread.
With any luck, you’ll just visit for a short time, but everyone is so welcoming.
There are lots of us at various stages, and always willing to hold your hand x x x

Original poster
Zorgothslugofdoom · 25/09/2019 16:01

Back from hospital. Had core biopsies. Ultrasound showed 2 lumps, 1 is 2.5cm, the other is 0.4cm and very close to the first one. The doctor said he'd be surprised if it wasn't cancer, but will have to wait until next Wednesday for results of biopsies. The anaesthetic has worn off now and it's hurting like a massive hurty thing! Dr said I'll need to have an operation to remove it regardless, but timeframe is dependent on results. More waiting now - that's the mentally hard bit!

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 25/09/2019 16:35

All bendy bits remain tightly crossed for you lass.

Skap · 25/09/2019 16:37

The biopsies are surprisingly painful, my breast hurt for a couple of weeks afterwards. My lump was painful to begin with. Take paracetamol if you can. Lots of waiting involved with cancer tests which can be very tough.

kissmelittleass · 25/09/2019 22:07

Just want to send you lots of love and strength Thanks