Breast lump biopsied. Surgeon said he suspects cancer

[Shelzymac]

Hi,

I went to my Doctor a few weeks ago about a breast lump and she sent through an urgent referral to the breast clinic. I was examined, had an ultrasound, mammogram and a biopsy (well 2 actually as they found another lump nearby while biopsying the first) and then waited another hour for the surgeons consult. When I went into the room he introduced me to a breast cancer nurse and had my scans on the screen. He said right away he suspects cancer. Should he even be scaring me like this before the biopsy comes back. He didn't tell me any other things it could be so is it likely he can tell? They even explained what the next steps would likely to he and even named a book I could show my 5 year old to explain the breast cancer.

It's been a week waiting for results already and I feel like I've been diagnosed already. Should this have happened? Could it be something else?

Also, I've had pain in my left arm (it was my left breast that has the lump) since February on and off so not only am I thinking it's cancer but I'm convinced it's also spread (although the ultrasound couldn't see anything in my armpits).

I suffer from health anxiety as it is and had to go to therapy last year as it was so bad. Now i feel like someone has there hands around my throat constantly.

On top of that I'm a single mum to an autistic child with no family around for support. I honestly don't know how we'd cope :(

I was in this position 2 years ago. I was told at the initial appt after a biopsy that they strongly suspected cancer and that the lymph nodes were not affected. I was also introduced to a breast care nurse who went through all that would happen from there on. I believe the doctors know what they are looking at and wouldn't tell you this if they weren't really sure. Please be reassured by the fact the ultrasound didn't show anything in the armpit. I hope you will receive good news when you get the results confirmed but hold on to the fact that breast cancer has one of the best outcomes. It is a very scary time and waiting for results is so hard, I hope you don't have to wait too much longer. Best of luck to you.

I appreciate thus us very hard but they are right to tell you upfront it's probably cancer. Imagine if they'd told you not to worry then had to say it's cancer. That would not be ethical and you'd never trust them.
Hope you get results and a plan soon. Tell them about the anxiety, they will understand.

The biopsy will confirm and will also give them more information about the type of cancer it is, which will then dictate what kind of treatment you have, but I'm afraid I have to agree that the consultant would not have said what they said if they were not pretty certain.

When you see your consultant for the results they will discuss the plan with you. You may only need a small operation (lumpectomy) which can be day surgery and radiotherapy, which is really that bad ( I speak from experience). The breast cancer nurses are there to support you. It may also be worth getting in touch with your local Home-start charity to see if they can find a volunteer to give you support with your child.

I am so sorry that you are facing this.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It almost sounds identical. I guess I'm just feeling all sort of emotions and not wanting it to be cancer. The wait is agonising. It's been a week now so I'm hoping not much longer x

Oh love. I'm currently waiting an mri for a lump (that I've had for years! Always thought it was a cyst - Not breast). Also a single parent, my boys dad passed away just before Christmas.

I also suffer with horrendous health anxiety.

Currently spending most days in tears thinking of the boys losing another parent.

Not helpful, but you're not alone x

Did they give you the contact details of the breast cancer nurses, I have have had similar just recovering from lumpectormy and I can ring them anytime in office hours - they are so helpful and reassuring, also if it is cancer recovery/survival rates are incredibly high - just been a new study - so try and hold onto that

I had the same - it was a shock as I wasn’t expecting to get bad news on the spot and didn’t have anyone with me. Mine turned out to be triple negative which is quite aggressive but hadn’t spread to the lymph nodes - after several rounds of chemo and immunotherapy it looks like the lump has been completely zapped. It hasn’t been easy and I still need to have surgery and some radiotherapy but after that I should be able to go back to normal.

I had breast cancer nine years ago. When I went to the breast clinic I was told after I had the mammogram and before they even did a biopsy that they were 95% certain that it was cancer. Waiting for results is the worst because you just feel stuck in limbo and worse case scenario thoughts go through your mind. I was convinced mine had spread to my lungs because I had a cough, but it hadn't.

Also chemo is not the end of the world! It’s really unpleasant and painful and horrible but you get through it and sometimes it makes CD you better x

They are very skilled at identifying cancer just from a mammogram. Biopsy confirms it and analyses the type which then dictates treatment.
I bounced in to a breast clinic appointment fully expecting to be told it was nothing and, like you, they said they were 95% certain it was cancer.
The waiting for tests is the hardest part mentally. Once you know what you are dealing with and what the plan is you can get your head round it.
Good luck.

So sorry to hear this. I had this and sadly it was cancer, they do apparently know. I also have an asd child. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat.

There's also a cancer support thread on general health. Its a very low chance it will be stage 4, around 5% of cancers are stage 4. I had a lot of bone pain and feared the worst but after some scary further scans (which also found a second mass they at first said was possible cancer but then wasn't) was all clear. Survival rates are high now, the treatments can be gruelling but some people just have a small operation and a week's radio which is just lying on a bed for 5 minutes and very easy and that's it. I have 4 operations, 12 weekly chemos, 1 week radio, 10 years hormone tablets and its gruelling but I am now all clear. Most of the treatment took a year.

The 'good' thing about cancer is there is masses of support available and most people are very sympathetic and you get help from even complete strangers. At the moment try to take it one day at a time and distract. Macmillan has counselling available via BUPA. Tell the children's school as well once confirmed.

Hi everyone. Thank you for your comments and support. I hadn't heard back from them so I called and apparently they have had the MDT meeting and the notes said that I needed booking in for a 30 minute appointment but they couldn't tell me anything else. My appointment is next Tuesday. I have been so anxious for almost 2 weeks.

I went through exactly the same. The in between waiting to be told what's next was the worst part of my journey. I had a lumpectomy then a second to remove nodes chemo and radiotherapy it was a tough year but I managed to keep working as a childminder. I'm now 9 years clear BC is very treatable you will get through it.
Do you have anyone who can help with your kids and be a listening ear?

Do not Google only people struggling post or odd ball by my cure nuts. Breast care now is the best source of advice along with McMillan.

Sending hugs.

To add mine was stage 4 and I'm still perfectly healthy.

@Shelzymac good you have the appointment- is there anyone that could go with you? Loads of people have been so kind since my diagnosis so I am sure someone would if you ask.
Also do ring and ask if there is any support for your anxiety.

I have an appointment next week as well to tell me how my operation went and next stage of the treatment is which I am nervous about. On the upside its only just over two weeks since my operation and I am back to work tomorrow and feel fine

Good luck

My cancer was ovarian. There’s so much they can do for cancer now, it’s not an automatic death sentence. I’ve been well since my treatment, over 10 years ago. 💐

I used to work in breast cancer clinics and they always used to say if they thought the result was likely to be cancer. I'm sorry that you're having to wait.

Thanks everyone. Hope you are all doing well and I really do appreciate you sharing your stories.

Anyway my appointment is tomorrow. Thats 3.5 weeks after my biopsy. Nothing seemed urgent and when I spoke to them on the phone no one mentioned to bring someone. I also got this letter today and again it doesn't say to bring anyone.

Is this a good sign or bad communication???

Just wanted to say hope all goes well for you but also maybe delete that letter as it’s got your name and NHS number on

Your journey so far sounds like what my mum went through in early 2021. She was told straight away it was probably cancer and they were right unfortunately. She also wasn't told to bring anyone with her to any appointment, although it was kind of still during covid so that was maybe why.

Anyway, she had chemo, radio and surgery. Took 8 months start to finish and she's now had her second yearly mammogram come back clear!

Will be thinking of you tomorrow! Hope your appointment does go well, but if you get confirmed bad news then please know the outcomes are excellent nowadays and you will be well looked after!

Good luck for tomorrow

Even if they don’t say to bring someone - you can! Take someone if you can as it might help to have a loved one there with you.

good luck with your appointment. My sister was diagnosed in 2018 and is still in treatment (stage 4 now) and is doing really well.