Breast lump - terrified

[Paulinespens]

I am 41 and have always had (since I started checking) quite lump feeling breasts. The other day I noticed a lump that felt more prominent than the others. I had to prod around to find it but it feels hard, moveable and maybe pea-sized. I have similar feeling lumps throughout both breasts but not as obvious.
I went to the GP yesterday and she said she could feel the lump and said it felt granular but wouldn't refer me for more breast screening as I am probably pre-menstural..which is true. I am possibly no longer than a week (if that)from my period.
She asked me to come back a week after my period starts and she'll examine me again and if the lump is still there she'll refer me.
I have been freaking out and imagining dying and leaving my two DC's aged 3 and 1 motherless and generally feel so sick and anxious I can't concentrate on anything else.
Anyone else been through similar and does the Gp's actions seem ok?
Many thanks. I know I'm overeacting (complete worrier by nature) but I'm so scared. I keep prodding the lump and comparing it with other lumpy bits in my other boob and basically driving myself crackers.

Hi p- please don't be terrified.
I found a lump a few years ago, and it turned out to be hormonal. Breast-screening is very quick to access once your gp refers you, and hopefully you won't need it once your period's happened. Try and put it out of your mind for a week or two (I know, it's much easier said than done)- worrying cannot make it better or worse.

Take each day as it comes, and 2 weeks will pass soon enough.

Thank you CaptainNancy. I am trying so hard not to worry but I keep looking at my children and feeling tearful. I lost a very good friend to breast cancer (she was 37) last Christmas and I keep thinking about her and convincing myself I've got cancer.
I need to give myself a good talking to, leave the prodding alone and try my hardest to stop thinking about it.

I've been where you are...you're right to get checked out, its a good habit to get into especially for those of us with lumpy breasts! Mine have always been hormonal, so far, and if you have other lumps that feel the same but less pronounced, I won't be at all surprised if yours is too - but only medical professionals can tell you that for sure, along with appropriate testing if it doesn't reduce/go away with your period.

What I do know, is that its very normal to be worrying and anxious some time after a bereavement...and if that bereavement takes the form of a specific illness, it makes sense you're going to worry about the same one.

You've done all you can do, and I know from experience its pointless telling you not to worry about it - so hugs, and may your period come fast!

Your Gp is absolutely right to wait and see what's happeing in two weeks time. That is an accepted standard technique. If the lump is still there she will I'm sure refer you to your local breast clinic. An appointment may be in a few days or at the most a very few weeks time - they are very good at getting people in. At an appointment they will examine you in a variety of ways and tell you there and then what they think you're looking at. It is a part of the NHS that works incredibly well and they do appreciate how anxious you are.

All you need to do now is not meet trouble half way. Breasts are lumpy things - especially pre-menstrual ones. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, that must be very hard and I think it has very understandably made you more anxious than you would otherwise have been. Hang in there.

Thank you. I appreciate the advice given. Am feeling calmer at the moment. It is reassurring to hear that the waiting time to be properly assessed isn't long. That was another of my fears...week of waiting in limbo.
Hoping my period arrives pronto although no doubt the stress isn't helping.
Thanks again people.

I have a prominent lump and have had it checked a few times and there are some less prominent ones around it. It's not hormonal as they're always there. Apparently normal. Try not to worry. My GPs (different ones)seemed confident on feeling them that they were fine and they were right. I know they can rush a referral through if they're worried so you probably don't need to.

I had a lump a few years ago which was also moveable. It turned out to be a fibroadenoma (or breast mouse). These are I found out completely harmless. You automatically assume the worst but there are lots of different types of breast lumps and bumps that aren't all horrible. You are right to check and are right to go to the doctors but try not to panic too much, you could just have a breast mouse like mine

Hi paulinespens
Thought this might be useful for you;

Common cause of breast lumps;
Physiological swelling + tenderness - fibrocystic change/fibroadenosis, often worst the week before a period, quickly disappears when period starts, common in women 30-50
Found it in my DS1s notes (he is 5th year Med student). Also says unlikely anything nasty if moveable.
HTH

It sounds like your GP is being really good and isn't leaving you for too long. Write down when you felt the lump and if and when it goes in case it is a hormonal thing and go back and see your GP when they said too.

Please dont worry too much. I have been in teh exact same situation twice, though not before my period so kind of worse in way in that I didnt have that as a possible reason iyswim?

Anyways I went to the breast clinic and all was fine both times. I just had an ultrasound as am under 30/35 or whatever the age limit is but Im sure your treatment wont be that much different.

Good luck - I am a born worrier too, I know its awful, I read a good thing on here once that said 'when you hear hoofbeats think horse not zebra' ie: think of what is most likely not most unlikely. In the case of breast lumps it IS much more likely to NOT be cancerous.

I've had the same thing happen.My Dr said that my breasts were very lumpy and asked me to come back after my period.I did and all was fine.I'm naturally lumpy I think.

I know how you feel-my dds were 1 and 3 at the time too.

Thank you. My breasts feel lumpy anyway. From what I've learnt from frantic, obsessive googling, granular, moveable lumps are the less scary sort.
It's so hard having it on my mind all the time. Am trying not to worry but it goes against my natural personality.