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Original poster

Breast cancer worry.

30 replies

AngelDust77 · 24/12/2020 23:02

Hi everyone.
I'm 40 and I am so scared I have cancer. Basically I have a line that is slightly indented on my left breast,it runs from just above the nipple and is about 2 to 3 inches long. I don't know how long I've had it as even though I examine myself regularly I never do so infront of the mirror but I think it may have been there over a year but could be wrong. I phoned my doctor yesterday and she was lovely,she said it sounds good that I have no lump,swelling etc but she was however concerned when I told her the line is more visible when my arm is lifted (you can see it all the time but more visible with a lifted arm) i have had problems in the past as my breasts have always felt heavy and achy and I had a scan about 5 or 6 years ago which was normal but they said I had fibrous breast tissue and even now that breast still aches but im more paranoid now and think its cancer. My gp has referred me to the breast clinic but im so scared, have 4 children and im petrified of leaving them behind. My bust is 44dd so they always feel heavy and ache but this line is bothering me and giving me such bad anxiety. I can post a picture if anyone has any advice? My husband also noticed a similar line on my other breast but its not as noticeable as the other one and really have to strain to see it but its definitely there. Has anyone ever had a indented line that turned out to be nothing? Tonight is christmas eve 2020 and I feel like shutting myself away :(

OP posts:
Original poster
AngelDust77 · 24/12/2020 23:13

This is a picture of the breast with the worse line. Sorry for long above post

Breast cancer worry.
OP posts:
CatherineCawood · 24/12/2020 23:20

Don't want to read and run. I am no expert at all but I thought it was puckering that was a cause for concern where as your line is quite smooth and straight. Is that photo with your arm up or down? It is 100% not caused by a seam on a bra or top is it?

I'm so sorry that you are having this worry, especially at Christmas. I know it is SO difficult to be calm. Take it one hour at a time, try to use the kids as distractions over the next few days. Get some fresh air too it will help your mind.

Did your GP say how long until you can see someone? When did she refer you?

Hang on in there. Worrying won't change the outcome that's already decided. I can only imagine not knowing is worse than knowing even if it is bad news.

Got my fingers firmly crossed for you.

Larsingsong · 24/12/2020 23:23

I'm not an expert at all, but I have worked in the breast clinic, so have seen thousands of breasts in my line of work.

That line does look quite uniform and not particularly puckered which is a good sign.

A breast malignancy tends to draw the skin into it, like an uneven puckering effect, a malignancy is usually spiculated, so it wouldn't be a nice even line. But I hope you can get it checked out. 90% of patients referred to breast clinic on the 2 week wait haven't got cancer. I hope that puts your mind at rest a little.

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 24/12/2020 23:31

Thank you so much for the replies.
The photo is taken with my arm up and is not a line from clothing. My gp referred me yesterday and I received a letter today stating I had been referred as my symptoms can indicate cancer,didn't expect to hear within a day,the letter said to expect a call in the next few working days with an appointment but im guessing as its Christmas it may be longer. My gp never actually saw or examined me due to covid,she just went by what I was telling her. Just so scared (I even paid for a tarot reading last night...silly I know but I was desperate for reassurance and he said to prepare for answers I don't want to hear which has now made me worse,I don't normally do things like that and I wish I hadn't now) doesnt help with every little ache in that breast im thinking its cancer xx

OP posts:
FireUnderpants · 27/12/2020 12:03

No constructive advice OP, but I understand how you feel. I have a lump that been bothering me. First I thought that it's just breast tissue, then that there's something similar the other side, then it's just pre menstrual swelling. I finally went to my GPs Christmas eve so I wouldn't be worried all Xmas, but he has referred me to breast clinic.

As long as they don't have a covid back log I expect to hear on Tuesday from them, or get something in the post mid week.

I'm fretting and getting quite irritated by everything.

Redannie118 · 28/12/2020 00:24

Hi op i was diagnosed with breast cancer in April. My lump was completely painless and several people in the breast clinic told me they always worry more about painless abnormalities. When you go to the clinic it will be one stop with all tests done in one day and i had a provisional positive diagnosis by the end of the day, the ultrasound and mamogram can normally show this with a lot of accuracy. Come back and tell us how you get on.

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 28/12/2020 21:46

Good luck with your appointment,the waiting is the worse. I should get my call any day now with my clinic appointment and I'm scared,christmas was a nightmare trying to put on a happy face for the kids was so hard. I don't have a lump,just a long line that runs down my breast but still so worrying. I wish you all the best and please let me know how you get on.xx

OP posts:
Noidea2114 · 28/12/2020 22:04

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago after a mammogram couldn't feel any lump. When you go for your appointment they will put you at ease be explain
everything. I had a biopsy on that day and only had to wait 5 days for the results.
I'm having my operation tomorrow.
Please come back and let us know how you get on.

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 28/12/2020 22:04

Not allowing me to reply to individual replies but just wanted to thank everyone for their words it does mean a lot and I wish you all so much luck with your appointments/recoveries etc. My issue is a straight line that is about 3 inches long and runs down the side of my breast,no lump,swelling etc and it completely disappears if I pull the skin,just waiting for my breast clinic appoibtment to come through and I'm so scared. lots of luck to you all xx

OP posts:
Original poster
AngelDust77 · 28/12/2020 22:08

Noidea2114 im so sorry to hear this. If you don't mind me asking what encouraged you to see the doctor if you felt no lump? Such a scary time,I've got a long straight line but no other symptoms. I really hope you get on well and make a good recovery xx

OP posts:
Mangofandangoo · 28/12/2020 22:13

Good luck for tomorrow @Noidea2114 ThanksThanks

Noidea2114 · 28/12/2020 22:54

@AngelDust77 this was picked up by my scheduled mammogram. They have caught it early. Was told it would of been a year or so before I'd have felt a lump.
The only advice I can give is DON'T Google. That can scare anyone.
Good luck you get an appointment soon.

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 17/01/2021 09:57

Just an update. There was a 3 week delay at the clinic due to covid so I haven't been seen yet and my anxiety is through the roof. However,I do have an appointment now for Tuesday afternoon so I'm just trying to get through the next few days. My husband and 22 year old daughter seem to think the line I have has got slightly smaller and less noticeable,not sure if this would be a good sign but I can't notice what they see and I check it multiple times a day. Will just have to see what happens on Tuesday. Hope everyone is keeping well xx

OP posts:
Katinthedoghouse · 17/01/2021 10:37

I had a similar issue last summer with an indent and like you my appointment was delayed for well over a month, so I know exactly how you are feeling. It was all ok in the end though even though the dent is still a bit visible. Have you heard of Mondors condition ? Was something I came across whilst googling my indent, which is harmless and might fit the bill ?

Anyhow, tuesday will be here in no time and I’m sure it will be fine xx

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 17/01/2021 19:22

@katinthedoghouse I'm so glad you got on well. Did they say why you had an indent? Mine is more like a straight line about 3 inches long and just slightly indented which disappears if I stretch the skin (pic above) I have heard of mondors but I think that's a hard line? Everywhere I've looked just says cancer,such a worrying time xx

OP posts:
Summer19 · 17/01/2021 21:35

The very best of luck. I have been referred to the breast clinic three times with lumps, all clear. The waiting is dreadful but you are far more likely to get the all clear than anything more worrying.

Katinthedoghouse · 18/01/2021 09:34

He couldn’t explain, he suggested it was just one of those things and I’d lost breast tissue (like a segment ) in that breast. It turned out to be a cyst very close to/ under the nipple, which I asked to be drained. The lump disappeared but the indent which stretched from the nipple to my cleavage is still there albeit to a lesser degree.

In my debriefing after the mammogram and the ultrasound he said he honestly hadn’t seen anything like it before and was convinced it wouldn’t be good news - but it was and yours most probably will be too.

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 18/01/2021 11:31

@Katinthedoghouse im glad yours was okay,it is always a worry. I don't think i have a cyst as I have no lump and no pain etc its just a straight line about 3 inches long. I had a scan 6 years ago as I had very heavy,achy,breasts,the scan was clear but he said I had lumpy breasts and fibrosis tissue so I'm hoping its all connected and I've lost 2 stone since May (used the 1st lockdown to get healthy) so maybe weight loss could be a reason too. Just so worried,trying to keep busy today but I just feel sick with worry. Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
AngelDust77 · 19/01/2021 12:44

Appointment at 2pm today. So very scared.
Getting dressed i noticed my favorite bra has like a hard bone like seam going down the side of each breast and its sitting right on top of my indented line so I'm not sure if perhaps that could be the reason. Will update after my appointment. Have everyone crossed....x

OP posts:
bobbyboo21 · 19/01/2021 12:55

Good luck today! I have something similar in both my boobies (i'm 36), although far more noticeable in my left. Ive always just thought it was the skin stretching from having babies. Let us know how it goes Flowers

Original poster
AngelDust77 · 19/01/2021 16:03

Hi ladies.
Had my appointment today,was a mess as hubby wasn't allowed in due to covid.
I had an examination and scan which were both normal,she asked if I lost weight which I have-nearky 2 stone and she said the weight loss was the reason of my line as I've lost some breast tissue and also the line is on a vein making it look worse She said if I had been 39 or younger she would have sent me home happy but as I'm 40 they automatically also do mammograms,wasn't expecting that but it was painless and I had results 20 mins later...completely clear. The relief overwhelmed me,I have been a wreck since 23rd Dec. Thank you so much for everyone's kindness and kind words it really helped me and I would advise anyone to get anything abnormal checked even just for peace of mind. Take care ladies and wish everyone all the best xxx

OP posts:
Noidea2114 · 19/01/2021 16:24

@AngelDust77 so pleased that everything was ok.

Stinkyjellycat · 19/01/2021 16:44

Fab news OP!

Katinthedoghouse · 19/01/2021 17:38

Brilliant !

Funny things boobs aren’t they !

Lo27 · 17/02/2021 18:31

Wow. I have the same line going straight down the side. Worse when my arm is up as well. My mammogram is scheduled for next week. Praying I have the same outcome!

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