Lump in breast. 2ww. Age 26

[Shm1000]

Hi all,
Just looking for a handhold or a similar experience.
I had noticed tenderness in my left breast about 2 weeks ago and much to my horror I found a hard and smooth lump quite deep behind my nipple. I don’t think it moves and, although tender when prodded, it isn’t particularly painful. I have been to the GP who has referred me on an urgent 2ww pathway. I am in shock as I was secretly hoping they would say it didn’t feel like anything suspicious and send me on my merry way, but that wasn’t the case. GP said that the statistics are on my side as I am young and have no family history, but did say there was a possibility that it could be something nasty. I have a 2.5yr old DD who is my absolute world and I just can’t stop thinking about worst case scenarios. thanks for listening to my rambling x

I’m sorry you are in this position, come and join us and we’ll hold your hand while you wait.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4256780-cancer-support-thread-80-newbies-welcome

I'm a similar age to you and have had this twice, both turned out to be fibrodenomas! 80-90% of breast clinic referrals turn out to be benign, try not to worry ❤❤

Thank you @MrsPnut I will join now x

@Tbug I’m sorry to hear you have had the same scares. A breast care nurse did mention fibrodenomas to me so I have fingers crossed for that. I had never heard of them before! Thank you for the reassurance X

It's easy to say don't worry because the first time I found a lump I worried too. It was definitely there but tender too. Turned out to be a fluid filled cyst. I was referred by GP and seen within the 2 weeks. Had a mammogram at the appointment snd the cyst was confirmed. The consultant drained the fluid off painlessly there and then and sent me on my way.
You did the right thing to have it checked out.

Never had any trouble since

Hi @Griffo123
Thanks so much for your reply and for sharing your experience. So glad it all turned out ok. Have just had a phone call with an appointment to be seen on Monday x

May I suggest you take a couple of paracetamol before your apt because they will send you for a mammogram and the squishing, although lasting seconds is a bit squeeky.

It is most likely to be a fibro or a cyst. You are very young but there are all sorts of breast cancer and it is very survivable. I'm here four years later. Slightly mangled nork but it was fine.

Wishing you lots of good vibes.

The two week pathway is normal for any breast abnormality, although it's alarming when you get put onto it.

This happened to me when I found a lump in my breast - everyone was lovely when I went for the investigation, and thankfully it turned out just to be normal tissue.

You're getting it checked out, which is the main thing. If there is an issue it can be treated quickly.

Hoping it all goes well .

Hi OP,

I'm a GP. We refer every discrete breast lump via the 2ww pathway, and the vast majority of them don't turn out to be breast cancer. The lump being smooth is very reassuring, breast cancers typically feel craggy and uneven. Smooth firm lumps in young people are usually benign fibroadenomas, or sometimes particularly tense cysts.
Breast cancer in a 26 year old is extremely rare. Unless you come from a family with a known breast cancer causing mutation (BRCA - in which case you would typically have numerous family members diagnosed with breast/ovarian cancer at young ages) then it is extremely unlikely to be anything sinister.
I know it is very hard not to panic and let your mind go to worst case scenarios though, sorry you're having to go through this

@LostArcher thank you for your useful advice - I will make sure I’m dosed up beforehand. So happy to hear that you are well. Thank you so much for sharing and for the good vibes xx

@Arbadacarba @pbdr
thank you both for your reassurance. Definitely feeling a lot calmer about the situation this evening and ready for my appointment in the morning. No point in worrying until I know the outcome! Will update on how it all goes. Xx

Hi OP

I just wanted to give you a wave from the other side 👋

I am living with breast cancer after being diagnosed aged 33, and like others have said, this is rare, not the norm, and even rarer at your age.

Having said that, I'm very glad to hear that you have been referred for checks and not been sent gole from the GP being told that everything is fine and you're too young, that is what happened to me intially, which led to an 18 month delay in my diagnosis.

As shared above, around 90% of referrals to the breast clinic turn out to be non-cancerous, and of those that do turn out to be breast cancer, most will respond really well to treatment.

I know how it feels to go to those worst-case scenarios in your head, so wanted to share my perspective as someone who's been really unlucky, yet I'm still here, (snuggled in bed with DS who sneaked in) enjoying life and hopeful for the future.

Best of luck for Monday x

gole = home 🙄

Hi OP, I’m a ‘frequent flyer’ at the breast clinic owing to having a strong family history of breast and ovarian, and being a generally lumpy person all round in that department.

I was at university the first time I was referred to the breast clinic, so very much younger than you are now, and I’ve been many many times since. I’m a decade older than you and it hasn’t come for me yet, the odds are on your side.

I do understand your panic though, I was away in Malta the first time I felt a lump and phoned my GP surgery from abroad! They were great. But I was so worried.

So, from your appointment you can expect to go through your family history, to be examined very thoroughly (you will have a chaperone), and to have some ultrasound imaging. It is unusual to have a mammogram on young breast tissue because it is not dense enough to give a good image, but it’s not impossible. A biopsy is only likely if the examination and imaging are inconclusive. I have only had one biopsy taken out of the many times I have been seen. It was not painful although I did feel wiped out for a couple of days. The bruising was fairly spectacular.

Hopefully everything will be fine, but it is best to be checked out.

Hi ! When I was your age, the doctor had found a breast lump and it turned out to be a fibro adenoma. I understand how worried you are but most lumps turn out to be benign, especially at your age.