Found a lump in my breast, not coping

[Reallyhadenough4]

I found a lump in one of my breasts. My dr can feel it too so has referred me to the breast clinic and I’m waiting for the appointment to come through.

The lump is within the breast tissue, it feels smooth, not painful and it is moveable. The dr said it didn’t feel tethered which I’m assuming is a good thing. He says it’s about 5 mm.

We have a history or breast cancer in the family.

I’m not coping with this at all. I suffer with anxiety, have on and off for about 30 years. I’m not eating or sleeping much, I’m terrified of what this could do to my family. I know nobody on here can tell me what this is, but I’m really looking for reassurance until I get this checked out. Please be kind I feel like I’m sinking. I’ve not googled anything, I know from experience dr Google never offers reassurance!!

Try not to worry op, I found a moveable lump in my breast and it was a cyst, it was drained whilst at the breast clinic. How old are you ? I was 39ish at the time and the doctor told me it was due to my age and being peri menopausal. Not googling the best thing to do.

I know this likely won't help but I've known lots of people recently have lumps to be checked and they've all come back fine. There is also a woman in my team who has 7 sisters, 6 of whom have had breast cancer over the last 15 years and all are absolutely fine now .

I had a breast problem that I was referred to the clinic for a few months ago (I was as terrified as you, it was nothing) and the lady doing the scan had had breast cancer 15 years before and she was fine.

This sounds daft coming from me (I have anxiety) but try not to catastrophise. Even if it's not completely fine it can still turn out ok.

It is very frightening. A lump was found when I had a mammogram a few years ago. I got an appointment with the breast clinic about 2 weeks later where I had further mammograms and a biopsy to check what the lump was. The waiting room was full of women at 1 pm and I was still there petrified at 5 pm. I had a further week of waiting, but on the day of the appointment they phoned me to say all was ok.

You could ring breast clinic tomorrow and ask for any cancellations which they do have, to try and be seen earlier.

If it's smooth and moveable it's less likely to be cancer. I had a cyst removed and it was like this. Thankfully the process is quick

I've been twice to the Breast clinic. Both times fine. Fibrocystic breasts - common in your forties but obviously you need to get it checked. Dr said 9/10 lumps benign at the clinic. Smooth and moveable my lumps were. But you do go through the mill beforehand. 🌷

Really - I was like this before my first visit 5 years ago. Couldn't even look at my ds. Very anxious. Second time going, I knew where I was going iykwim and that the clinic was fab. Still nervous. I googled women's experiences of going to breast clinics and waiting for results. One woman who had breast cancer said you can be as scared as you like getting checked but you must gather your strength and take a run at the problem. I tried to hold that in my head. It feels like a rite of passage especially as you get older.

Well done you for going to your GP to get it sorted out. The earlier the better, we all know that. And the worry is always worse than the actual thing happening. Big virtual hug, it'll be ok whatever the outcome.
The lump that I found in my breast sounds similar to yours and it was a cyst, it went away on its own. Good luck x

Thank you to everyone who has answered.
@userxx I’m 48. I’m not entirely sure what moveable means. I can wobble it about a bit, does that mean moveable? My poor boob, I keep poking at it!!

@Trunumber it’s so reassuring to hear of so many positive outcomes, thank you, it’s really helped. I do catastrophise.

@BeanAnTae I can hardly look at my children either. Thank you I will bear that in mind, take a run at it!

Thank you so much to you all, I can’t tag everyone, but you are all helping to ease my awful anxiety.

I have been to the breast clinic quite a few times with various lumps over the years and every one has been a fatty lump or cyst because most lumps are harmless. OP it's really hard not to convince yourself it's nothing to worry about but chances are it's is nothing to worry about!
Moveable lumps are good it means it's more than likely a cyst.

Try to keep busy.
The vast majority of referrals are non cancerous.
Mine, after thorough investigation and biopsies was a fibroadenoma.
I understand the fear. If you're truly not coping, speak to your gp

Sending lots of sympathy. I had one checked before and I was really scared too. I couldn't stop checking it and thinking about it. It was nothing to worry about.

@BeanAnTae
One woman who had breast cancer said you can be as scared as you like getting checked but you must gather your strength and take a run at the problem.
Now that is some of the best advice I have read on mn.
Find your fight op

Hi there, I had lots of these lumps, all cysts. Drained easily and went away.

My mother has had three of these - if it's what she had, they are rather adorably named "breast mice" as they are small and oval in shape and can be moved around in the breast.

They are totally harmless and extremely common. I suspect this is why your doctor pointed out the moveability of your lump, he has already spotted what it's most likely to be.

I'm sure all will be well :)

Try not to touch/squeeze it too much as you can cause a bit of bruising which can make it feel bigger. Expect an examination and probably a mammogram and ultrasound.

Fingers crossed all is well (which is most womens experience).

I've had breast cancer twice, once in each breast. I was/am fine.

As others have said, 9/10 are cysts, but if it's cancer, it's very survivable, depending on size and type.

My oldest friend has also had it twice. She's still with us and fit as a fiddle.

I know the wait can be difficult, but it's got to be endured. Good luck

I have had 6 of these. 4 moveable and 2 not moveable. All were absolutely fine.

Stay calm , you could be worrying over nothing , my mom had one and she was worried to pieces like you , but it was just a cyst . Just take each day as it comes u til your appointment - which really shouldn’t be too long . Sending hugs ❤️

@Reallyhadenough4 Hate to say it but I think your age is a big factor, cysts are more common in peri/menopausal women. Lucky us eh !

Mine was an oil filled cyst. It's still kind of there but is nothing to worry about, statistically you're looking at the same thing

There’s absolutely no point trying to second guess what it is, and other people’s experiences are not yours. I know the waiting is agonising but by going to the GP, you’ve made the first brave step to finding out.

What you can focus on is that whatever the outcome, you can handle it. 9/10 times it’s a harmless cyst so focus on that, but if it isn’t, you can deal with that too as a strong, resilient woman.

Thank you everyone, I have had a better day today. I’m trying not to think about it too much, but it does then hit me in waves. Hearing everyone’s positive stories really is helping a lot. Thank you.

I’m not doing so well now having read a recent post on here ( my own fault). If I’m honest with myself, I think I’ve been suffering from depression for various reasons for about a year. I think this has really tipped me over the edge. Need somewhere to vent, sorry.

I’ll pull up a chair and hold your hand. The waiting and not knowing is the absolute worst, you spend your time catastrophically churning over about how bad it is going to be.
GP’s see quite a lot of breast lumps but the breast clinic are the experts, once they see you then you are likely to get some idea of what you have before you leave.

Hugs Really. Have you got your appointment for the clinic yet?

Would you think of contacting your GP for some help, with maybe a follow-up for mental health support after your appt at the breast clinic? I'm prone to anxiety and found the wait hard. You are not alone.