Could it be just a cyst?

[wubblybubbly]

Been to drs today about a lump in my breast I've had a few weeks. I was convinced it was just a cyst (had them before) so not at all worried, but she's examined me and said she doesn't think it is, which has knocked me for 6.

She said it feels too hard to be a cyst, but it's huge, she wrote down 5cm and it sort of just appeared that size, although it might've got a bit bigger/harder, tbh that's why I was convinced it was cyst.

Anyway, I've now got to be seen within 2 weeks and am waiting to hear when my appt is for mammogram, biopsy etc and my head is reeling. I'm thinking it's defo a cyst one minute and then just horrible stuff the next.

Has anyone had this type of thing and found out it was just a cyst after all?

Hope this makes sense, my brain doesn't seem to be functioning properly.

wubbly - try not too be too worried (though I know it is hard). I found a lump 12 months ago that neither the GP or consultant knew what it was - ut on ultrasound was a bunch of cysts.

Fingers crossed everything will be OK - and they say the majority of lumps are OK so I am sure you willbe fine.

Thanks for replying sundew. I know there is absolutely no point in worrying, it's going to do any good at all.

I was daft enough to do some research on the internet, trying to convince myself all was okay but of course I've ended up scaring myself silly.

I saw the stats that something like 80% of referred lumps are non cancerous, so I'm going to just keep on reminding myself of that until I know for sure.

I just wish the GP hadn't said that about it not being a bloody cyst, she only sort of backtracked and said well it still might be and not to worry when I burst into tears She was lovely though, I know she's just trying to prepare me for the process.

try not to worry -easy to say of course, but avoid looking anything else up -as sundew says,the majority of lumps are benign. If you want any advice or reassurance about the breast clinic don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks MaryAnn. I've got my appointment now for the 24th, so I'm just telling myself over and over 'it's just a cyst, it's just a cyst, it's just a cyst' and I've stopped looking on t'internet

The GP said it usually takes a few hours but that I would get an answser on the same day but my appointment isn't until 2pm, so I'm wondering whether I will be told before I go home?

They called with the appointment so the confirming letter might give me a bit more information, hopefully.

I'm assuming it's just going to be a mammogram (that's got to hurt surely, my breast is bloody sore just sat doing nothing?) and ultra sound and a needle biopsy or other kind of none to terrifying biopsy? Again, I think there'll be more information in the letter so I suppose I should just wait.

I think that at the appointment they will know if it is a cyst -if not then they need to get pathology results to confirm, but I think they generally have an idea of what's what.
Mammograms are uncomfortable as they do have to press your breast a lot but it's not for very long-they do an x ray vertically and horizontally. Ultrasound is same as when pregnant - I think it gives a better picture for younger women,compared to the mammo. I've had a core biopsy which honestly didn't hurt - you get a local anaesthetic for that and a few bits of breast tissue are taken - it pings -afterwards there might be a little bruising. Are you taking someone with you ? The likelihood is that it's nothing to worry about- try to keep that in your mind

I was in exactly your position till last week. A lump just appeared- the size of a plum and, like you, did my internet research which was scary too. Should repeat mantra, I am not a doctor I am not a doctor.

Had to wait almost 4 weeks till last Tuesday. Was there for 4 hours.

First had doc appointment, then sent for mammogram, then sitting at mammogram bit. Finally someone came out and said I was to go to ultrasound. I wasn't expecting that at all and thught my time had come. Had to change into gowns, and taken into dark room where nice doc explained that it was a cyst and they were going to fix it there and then. Thankfully. Apparently my left side is cysty and my right side has none. She tried to drain as many as she could reach, no anaethestic, just right in with needle- but not even a bruise after!

Take something to eat/read(easy)/drink/listen to. I went alone as was more comfortable than having someone else there, but many others were there with friends/ mothers/husbands.

Good luck.

Gosh sammac, waiting 4 weeks is a long time to wait - I'm so glad it was all okay for you Did they say whether or not you might get more cysty problems in the future?

I had a lump about 12 years ago and went to the nuffield through my employers medical insurance, they did the ultra sound and drained it there and then. They did say I had a few others but they were too deep to reach but that I might get more in future - which was why I was convinced that's what this was.

MaryAnn, my DH has arranged to come with me, the GP said I had to take someone, which is probably a good thing as I'm a bit fainty . My mum is coming over to look after DS.

I'm not to worried about a bit of pain afterwards, it's hurting now, not helped by the odd elbow by DS! I just want it over and done with.

I wasn't sure about posting on here, I'm probably being a bit of a drama queen but I really, massively appreciate your posts, it is helping me to take a few deep breaths and think positive.

MaryAnn, how did you get on with your biopsy?

I get lots of cysts and have the biggest ones aspirated about every two years (when they get big enough to feel uncomfortable to me). I have to go through my GP first to get a hospital appointment, and one time my GP was sure the lump wasn't a cyst because, he said, it was 'tubular'. That had me worried, but it turned out to be ... a cyst. Another time, An inexperienced doctor was unable to aspirate the cyst so I went in to have the lump removed - by the time I had the op, it had all but disappeared but I went ahead anyway and there was nothing there - apparently it was just breast tissue. I feel strongly now that I know my own body better than the doctors and I never get worried about lumps. Hope it all works out for you!

Thanks GeekyGirl, your post has filled me with even more positivity!

Like you I do get lumps/swellings quite frequently, they're painful and then disappear again. This one just felt the same but it didn't go away but got bigger and harder. I've waited a few weeks to go because usually after a period they do go down.

I'm so glad to hear what your GP said to you as it's exactly what my GP said! Of course they've got to err on the side of caution and I was expecting a referral I suppose and, with the help of all you lovely MNetters I'm getting my head in order

Feel like crying again, but it's relief this time!

remember,pain in the breast is seldom a symptom of anything nasty
My biopsy unfortunately showed breast cancer, but it was caught early - I had a lumpectomy in May and some lymph nodes removed-no spread,so spared chemotherapy-had radiotherapy and on tamoxifen now for 5 years - a 'good' result really. Please don't worry that this will happen to you -for a start I'm almost certainly a lot older than you and more of a candidate iyswim.

MaryAnn, that's what I'm thinking too - thank you so much for your kind words I certainly feel much more reasoned today.

I'm so sorry to hear about your results, that must be heartbreaking to hear I'm glad you found it early and are getting good treatment. Do you have to continue to get checked? I know a family friend was diagnosed about 10 years ago, she also had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed and, fingers crossed, she's been free of any reoccurance. IIRC I think after the 10 years she was sort of given a reassurance that it was gone gone for good, not sure if that's right?

Thanks again everyone, I can't tell you all how much better I feel about this now. It's a huge relief to be able to get this kind of reassurance

wubbly - am happy to help if I can -I was worried about saying about my diagnosis here but didn't want to fib as you'd asked- BUT in the very unlikeliness that you have anything like this I wanted to reassure you that treatment is very effective and I have nothing but praise for the people who look after me. I will be seen every six months for the next five years,I think,with a yearly mammogram.

At the moment, I'm feeling pretty confident that it's nothing at all to worry about. I've managed to convince myself of that because of all the kind things you and others have said MaryAnn, so please don't feel that you have to censor what you say.

It's reassuring to hear good news so that, even if it's not just a cyst, I can still imagine a happy outcome regardless.

I suppose we mostly only hear of the heartbreaking cases and all the successes never really make the news, so it's really encouraging to hear the other side.

I hope your treatment continues to goes well MaryAnn

thank you wubbly - will be thinking of you -let us know how you get on won't you ?

Yes, as soon as I hear I'll let you know. Thanks MaryAnn, you're a star

well take care xx

okay, back from hospital - not good news

It's inflammatory cancer and it's in my lymph nodes too. Got to have a CT scan ASAP to see if it's spread any further and then it's chemo and a mastectemy, though what order hasn't been decided yet, depends on CT scan results.

Feeling totally blown away, just numb.

Oh shit I am so sorry

Please try to stay positive.

Have you a support group to contact? or anyone else to talk to?

Hugs x

wubbly, I have just read your thread and your last post is heartbreaking so I wanted to answer even though I have not been on it before.

I have no experience of this but I am sure you will be able to get a lot more advice on here form people who have.

What I will say is that you seem such a positive person in your earlier posts, looking on the bright side. I think this will be invaluable to you in your treatment and recovery.

I don't mean to be glib. I can see how this will have knocked you for six. Hope someone comes along soon to give you better advice.

Take care x

Oh Wubbly

Hang in there, you're bound to be in total shock right now.

I hope someone who's been there shows up to help - and later on, if it helps, I do know of a lovely woman who has recovered from IBC and runs a support website. I believe its a pretty unusual form of breast cancer, so if you have a hard time finding people who can share their stories with you, just shout. I'll try and find her contact details for you.

Thanks ladies, really, really big massive thanks for all the lovely kind words.

Obviously the surgeon and the key worker nurse talked to my hubby and me today but it's such a lot to take in. I am trying to stay postive, but I just want this scan out of the way so I know what I'm dealing with. I only seem to burst into tears when I think about my little boy .

Elibean, it's good to hear of someone whose had and recovered from IBC. I've looked at the BreastCancerCare website and there's really only a little information on IBC, except it's rare and spreads quickly. I'd love to have the details of the website if you don't mind?

Of course I don't mind, I'll look for it as soon as the dds are in bed. When is your scan booked for?

Thank you Elibean.

They've not booked the scan yet, the surgeon said it should be next week, but the nurse has said it might be up to 3 weeks, which is stressing me a bit, I don't think I can wait that long to know what it is I'm dealing with.

She also said I might get my next surgeon's appointment before I've had my scan and if so to let them know and they'll cancel and rearrange the surgeon. That sounds a bit shitty to me, I'm thinking a couple of weeks might make a big difference to the progress of it but maybe I'm just in panic mode.

Wubblybubbly, so sorry to hear this news.

I am in treatment for BC at the moment, I know exactly that feeling of numbness, you are going through, you are in shock at the moment, don't expect to much of yourself, and give yourself all the time to cry and express your feelings that you need. If you feel you need help with sleeping or coping generally ask your GP. It is a question of getting through the very early days.

Once you have your scans, you will know what you are fighting, and what your treatment programme will be. having your DH with you at consultations will help, because sometimes it is all too much to take in.

If there is anything I can help with just ask, there are several other ladies on here with BC (including the lovely MaryAnn), and lots of lovely health professionals who I'm sure will be able to be very supportive to you.

If at some point you feel you need a friendly ear, we are on the tamoxifen thread.

Keeping you in my thoughts xx

I've just read your last post Wubbly, your BCN is your advocate in these situations, phone and ask her to chase up your appointment. Failing that phone your surgeon's secretary and get him to push it.