I've found a lump in my breast

[TheOrangeFox]

I found a lump in my breast Sunday evening. I have a family history of breast cancer and I'm kicking myself that the last time I checked was over three months ago so I don't know how long it's been there. I went to the GP yesterday who referred me to the breast clinic and I have an appointment for Wednesday next week. It's all moving a little fast and I'm a bit scared.

Add to that the fact that I stupidly googled different types of breast lumps. I was hoping to be calmed by more iterations of the '9/10 are harmless' statistics but have been met with 'painless, hard, irregular shaped and immovable lumps may be cancerous'.

Just needed a vent, a handhold and to seek any advice you can offer. I want to go in fully prepared for all eventualities but it's worrying. I'm hoping my age will go in my favour (32) but I have a friend the same age with a month to live after being diagnosed last year. It's all very close to home right now.

Sorry for the ramble.

I have just been to the breast clinic a few days ago and totally understand the worry you are going through. I am a lot older than you and have been attending the breast clinic since I was 21 I am now 54 with numerous lumps some hard some soft ,the majority were cysts I do have very lumpy breast tissue. My latest one was a small hard lump thankfully it turned out to be a cyst , long story short the majority lumps in women’s breast are not serious and age is really on your side. So Good luck .

I can totally sympathise with you. I was in the same situation, except I wasn't as smart as you are. I denied it for months, didn't go to my GP for 4 months as I thought it might "go away". You are doing the best thing and you're in good hands.
As you say, it could be a number of things. Or it could be cancer. Either way it can be treated. Once I went to my GP it then took another 3 months before it was diagnosed as cancer. I don't mean to scare you with this but to tell you that after 7 months of dithering it was still in the early stages and was fully treated. I'm now 11 years post treatment and in excellent health. I work, I have hobbies and can run faster than my 20 year old daughter.
You are doing the right thing and just because the appointment is soon doesn't mean they have already diagnosed you, they are just doing their best to give you the right treatment. Most breast cancers are treatable, and it is very possible that you don't have cancer anyway.
I know it's difficult but try and relax until the appointment. You won't do yourself any good by worrying. Try and keep busy, do things you enjoy to pass the time, listen to music, chat with a friend, eat your favourite meal.
Wishing you all the best

Sounds like your GP has been greatly efficient at getting you seen quickly which is wonderful.

It can be a really difficult time trying not to worry. I'm sorry to hear about your friend also. I hope you have some real life support to be there for you.

Lumps can be harmless. I had one and turned out to be a complex cyst. I have naturally lumpy boobs according to GP.

Try not to google at the moment and distract yourself as much as possible! Keep talking if it helps.

I was around your age when I felt my first non-nursing related lump, OP. I'd had little lumps when DC1 was a nursing baby, but he was in primary school and I remember utterly bricking myself. I've had lumps since then and they've all been nothing to worry about. Like you, I have a strong history of not just breast cancer, but every kind of cancer. Your friend's situation is tragic, unfair, and traumatic to observe. This stuff puts the fear of God in you because it is the absolute worst-case scenario. What has happened to your friend is exceptionally sad but also, exceptionally rare. It's incredibly unusual. How shattering for her and for you! I am so sorry for your friend.

The reassuring thing is that yes, the vast majority of lumps are totally harmless. But if the news is cancer, the survival rates are excellent. I know you are scared. And although every cancer has a more aggressive type, which we all fear, those aggressive cancers are so incredibly rare, as is cancer itself. I worked in a GP surgery for years (alongside my DH who is the senior practitioner at the practice I was based in) and the one thing that I can truly say is that cancer is rare, even though it feels like it's all around us. That said, I've had family members and friends face breast cancer and they have all gotten to the other side with their health and longevity intact. The treatment is so incredible now. If you have to face this lion in the den (and that's an enormous IF), trust that you can absolutely get through it and live a long and full life.
If I were a betting person though, I'd say your lump is a benign one that'll resolve itself. Against the backdrop of your friend's very sad experience though, I can totally understand why your anxiety must be through the roof.

Because of your family history, you can perhaps get more regular mammograms. I was invited for regular mammograms at the age of 46 rather than the usual 50 because of my family history. But actually, throughout my 30s, I had about 3 mammograms because of the lumps showing up. Be reassured that every lump will be thoroughly investigated if you ever have other ones. My routine mammograms still make me sweat nerve bullets, even without a lump presenting itself. It's something all of us worry about, the Big C.

You're stronger than you know! Try to avoid Google. Impossible, I know. We all do it to ourselves. Good luck! Put your trust in everything being alright. You're in good hands.

Oh op I've been there. Mine turned out to be a harmless cyst but I still remember finding it and all the thoughts that went through my head.
Nothing is certain yet. Just take it one day at a time

I found a lump in my breast when I was early 30s. It wasnt painful and didnt move around. I had a scan and a biopsy and it is a fibro adenoma. They are very very common. Please try not to worry.

It’s horrible waiting and not knowing but yes, your age is in your favour.
Yes, over 95% of lumps are benign.

Even if it’s cancer, most people now live with breast cancer. Man fare slightly worse as it’s often not considered in men.
Breast cancer treatment is terribly pleasant but it’s not that awful either. It’s a year of on/off treatment depending what route you go down. Chemotherapy is mostly is a few days grim then a couple of weeks OK.
Radio is boring. Short daily trips to hospitals but not particularly uncomfortable.
Surgery varies depending on surgery but we come out the other side, often stronger people.
Children survive their mothers illness too.

Most women, the overwhelming majority of women live. Prognosis in treated breast cancers is good.
Hope it’s not cancer but if it is, you’ll be out the other side before you know it.

Thank you so much for all of your kind words. I'm trying not to panic as there's still such a high chance its absolutely fine but then midway through a calm thought I'll be hit with the 'well you've got to prepare yourself' thoughts and it all gets a little chaotic.

My sister has just had her repeat mammogram after surgery and radiotherapy last year. She's quite a bit older than I am but they caught it early so we're hoping for good news in the coming weeks. It's strange how I can feel so positive for her but I can't calm the worry in myself.

If it's cancer, it's cancer. There's nothing I can do about it and worrying won't change the outcome and here I am, worrying. I don't think lockdown helps but that's life right now.

I'll keep you updated!

OP - just jumping on here with a hand hold. I too have recently found a lump and have a referral apt with the breast clinic on 15th June to have an ultrasound (I think they said?).

Here's to us both finding out that we just have lumpy-but-healthy norks

Just to update, no signs of cancer. I'm incredibly relieved. It's just a mass of breast tissue deep under the surface that's formed into a hard little mass.

Excellent news. Pleased for you. Glass of wine tonight?

Absolutely 🍷

I found a lump nearly 5 weeks ago, been so so scared that I havent called the doctor yet, so stupid I know😭

@salemcat please get it checked.

OP I went to the GP with done changes in my breast in Jan and was referred to the best clinic. I had an ultrasound and discovered a lump. They did a biopsy there and then and within a few days I had the result. The biopsy was painless and the staff were so lovely and supportive. Mine was thankfully a benign fibroadenoma. Apparently they’re quite common. Hand hold for you and hoping your experience is similar to mine.

salemcat It’s much harder living with not knowing than braving a conversation with your GP. Once you’ve made the first step it gets easier. Whilst it’s more likely to be benign, that’s not what your telling yourself at the moment. You need to know. Make the phone call on Monday.