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Original poster

Breast lump

107 replies

pinkchampagne1 · 21/02/2024 17:17

On Monday I noticed quite a large breast lump while examining myself. I felt extremely anxious and barely slept at all that night.

yesterday morning I managed to get a doctors appointment. He examined me thoroughly and said he felt the lump and a smaller one and the same breast but that both felt mobile which is often reassuring. He has referred me to the breast clinic on the 2 week pathway. I initially felt more reassured after the appointment.

Today I received a call to book me into the breast clinic next Thursday and I am feeling really anxious again. I do suffer with health anxiety - it is even on my doctors notes!
My head keeps going to worse case scenarios and I am so scared. 😟

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 17:19

Oh that must’ve been such a huge relief for you, Peppercorn. 😊
Thank you for sharing your positive story.

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Vinorosso74 · 26/02/2024 18:02

Definitely keep away from Dr Google!
As others said, 90% of lumps aren't cancer.
Unfortunately, mine was cancer. The one stop clinic may take a few hours as you'll see a doctor, have a mammogram, ultrasound and possible biopsy and back to see doctor. I knew after that it was likely cancer. The radiologists know what they're looking at.
I know other women who have been and it's been cysts, fibrodaeamas (spelling?). Hopefully you get answers quickly.

Poppercorn · 26/02/2024 18:41

Vinorosso74 · 26/02/2024 18:02

Definitely keep away from Dr Google!
As others said, 90% of lumps aren't cancer.
Unfortunately, mine was cancer. The one stop clinic may take a few hours as you'll see a doctor, have a mammogram, ultrasound and possible biopsy and back to see doctor. I knew after that it was likely cancer. The radiologists know what they're looking at.
I know other women who have been and it's been cysts, fibrodaeamas (spelling?). Hopefully you get answers quickly.

I also went through all those steps and it wasn't cancer. Just adding so that there is hope for those who have all those steps ending in biopsies. She said that they had biopsied 7 so far that morning.

Hope you are doing ok @Vinorosso74 xx

BonzoGates · 26/02/2024 18:49

Hope you are doing okay Vinorosso74 💐

How are you Pink? Thinking of you today.

BonzoGates · 26/02/2024 18:50

What is it with the Wine user names? 🍷🍾

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 18:54

Sorry to hear your lump was cancer, Vinorosso74. I hope you are doing okay now.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 18:58

Thanks for checking in on me, BonzoGates.
I have been to work today which has helped keep my mind off things a little (I work in a pre-school) but it is always there at the back of your mind, like a dark cloud hanging over you. 😕

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 19:26

I find I go from total feelings of doom to calmer moments where I try to reassure myself and then back to doom again several times a day. Is that normal?

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Peakfreens · 26/02/2024 19:38

It could also be what I had that is a inter-ductal papilioma.

I got the 'look; and my lump was graded as 'uncertain' either way.

I had it biopsied and then removed. All clear.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 19:44

What was your lump like, Peakfreens?
Mine is quite large, feels the surface of my breast and it is moveable. There is also another smaller one in the same breast.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 19:45

Should say ‘feels near the surface of my breast’

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Peakfreens · 26/02/2024 20:00

Round and movable.

BonzoGates · 26/02/2024 20:02

pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 18:58

Thanks for checking in on me, BonzoGates.
I have been to work today which has helped keep my mind off things a little (I work in a pre-school) but it is always there at the back of your mind, like a dark cloud hanging over you. 😕

Yes I found that too. Distraction is good and you'll find the strength on the day to get on with it. It's the waiting that's awful.

BonzoGates · 26/02/2024 20:06

pinkchampagne1 · 26/02/2024 19:26

I find I go from total feelings of doom to calmer moments where I try to reassure myself and then back to doom again several times a day. Is that normal?

Yup. That was my experience. It's exhausting too.

All I could think was 'well I'll know on Tuesday's, put it to one side and it would pop out again.

Was better going for the second check a few years later but I think that was because I knew they were really good at the clinic. And I'd been told 9/10 lumps were okay - consultant said the GPs send everyone in if they present with a lump so nothing missed.

Jandob · 26/02/2024 20:38

The breast clinics are very good. You should get a mammogram and if its a cyst they can aspirate. It doesn't hurt.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 27/02/2024 08:21

Thank you. I am just driving myself crazy with it all. My DH is meant to be off skiing with his friends and my DS on Saturday and he is preparing himself for pulling out if the news is bad which is making me feel worse.
My stomach is upset again this morning.

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Joey1976 · 27/02/2024 08:34

Peakfreens · 26/02/2024 19:38

It could also be what I had that is a inter-ductal papilioma.

I got the 'look; and my lump was graded as 'uncertain' either way.

I had it biopsied and then removed. All clear.

I have lots of lumps and also had this. Mine was 6mm and I couldn't feel it but it was found on an ultrasound for another cyst.

The biopsy was inconclusive and so they were going to remove it but it was actually removed by the biopsy.

I've had lots of scares and suffer badly every time. I'm in my mid forties and apparently I have dense and 'busy' breasts so full of cysts.

You'll very very likely be fine but it's so worrying and stressful x

Vinorosso74 · 27/02/2024 12:45

Thanks all. It was a primary diagnosis, active treatment wasn't fun bit it was doable.
Distraction is key! Do let us know how you get on.

Maddy70 · 27/02/2024 13:03

pinkchampagne1 · 27/02/2024 08:21

Thank you. I am just driving myself crazy with it all. My DH is meant to be off skiing with his friends and my DS on Saturday and he is preparing himself for pulling out if the news is bad which is making me feel worse.
My stomach is upset again this morning.

He doesn't need to cancel im in the middle of chemo right now and honestly it really isn't bad and it's working well. The not knowing is far worse. Should it be bad news youll cope and get on with it. I'm genuinely feeling good. My husband however i can see the stress in him. I wish he would bugger off and have some downtime with his friends he needs it. And i need him to be less anxious

Good luck. But if it isnt great news dont panic

Soupit · 27/02/2024 18:10

Be prepared for a long session.
In July 2019 I found a lump which turned out to be cancer. I was given the all clear a year later.
The breast clinic is a one stop shop. They have doctors, radiologists and specialist breast care nurses. You will probably have a mammogram first and then see the doctor who will have the results in front of her. The doctor will examine you and then arrange an ultrasound. They may do a biopsy at that point as well.
Then you go back in to see the doctor.
Their expertise is such that they often know at this point whether it’s cancer and they will tell you if they think it’s likely, they won’t send you home without a clue.
This can easily take 3 or 4 hours but at the end you have a good idea what’s wrong.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 27/02/2024 20:32

I had prepared myself for it taking a few hours. I am getting so scared now and my head is all over the place. 😣

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 27/02/2024 20:36

Maddy70, all the best with your treatment. Hope you get the all clear soon.

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anonima · 27/02/2024 20:42

I hope your appointment goes well. I have had large round 'mobile' lumps in my breast recently too and they turned out to be benign cysts. They come and go as my hormones fluctuate and can even be sore sometimes.

Bluebackedsheep · 27/02/2024 20:50

I am sharing your wait @pinkchampagne1 and understand your anxiety.

I am in the north and my appointment is Friday week, 23 days after I saw my GP.

Mine is a large lump on my chest wall, but is painful, so I am assuming it is a Cyst.

Just trying to keep my worry under control. The waiting is horrible.

i hope everything goes well for you. I will be thinking of you !!

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 27/02/2024 21:19

Bluebackedsheep, all the best for your appointment. 23 days seems a long wait. 😕

My lump is big, and round/oval shaped (it keeps moving so hard to tell) and mobile, but mine isn’t painful or tender which worries me. I read that cysts often hurt a bit.

I am driving myself insane in the days leading up to my appointment. I think the fact everyone reacts in a shocked way when you tell them is making me more anxious.

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