Breast lump! Help!

[Fartymcnarty]

I found a lump on my breast on Wednesday and my GP saw me the same day, she referred me to breast clinic as suspected cancer and I should be seen within 2 weeks. The wait is killing me!! The lump is quite deep in my right breast but towards my armpit. It’s really hard but painless and it’s about the size of a grape, but squashed and elongated iykwim. When I lift my arm the skin puckers around it like it doesn’t lift with the skin, and the lump is slightly visible. Should I be worried? How do I deal with this?

Most cancer pathway referrals are nothing to worry about. Think of it as 'a small possibility it is cancer, so better to be safe than sorry', rather than suspected cancer.

I hope you get more reassuring news soon.

Sorry to hear you found a lump but good GP referred you straightaway. Most referrals are benign. I had a big hard lump like flattened walnut, rock hard, visible as a bump when lifted arm and then caused skin to go in. Some white spots around aerola and some wrinkly skin around nipple. Painless. First time contacted gp in June was told will be nothing, second time got referred and gp said it will be cancer. It is cancer.

Hopefully yours isnt but I would check wait is 2 weeks and not more and get added to cancellations if long. Then try and distract yourself. The appointment was about 2 hours and included physical exam, mammogram, ultrasound, biopsies at ultrasound room, chip being put in breast, seeing doctor, you may get a lot less checks if they are less concerned. The staff are lovely. There is a cancer support thread in general health for those waiting as well as those with cancer. I hope you get all clear.

In the last 11 months I have also had a stroke, have been diagnosed with a brain condition, and recently a problem has been found with my heart. I am only 39! I cannot possibly have cancer as well!?! No would could possibly be that unlucky!!!?!

@Fartymcnarty so sorry you are going through this. I’m currently waiting treatment to remove precancerous lump (dcis). I found out I was pregnant just before having my results. My coping strategy is to distract myself and not think about it. It will come round soon enough. I also wish I’d pushed to be seen sooner, I waited 5 weeks for my scan but then I’d been reassured it was nothing. Definitely try to take your mind off it, my thinking is, what can you do, worrying won’t change the outcome. They are worried mine will now become stage one due to pregnancy and hormones. I am really just not thinking about it.

It’s totally normal to be referred on the two week pathway if you have a suspicious lump, whether they think it’s an innocent cyst or something more sinister.

Hopefully you should get your appointment soon. If not, give the hospital a ring.

Thank you, I’m doing exactly that. I am just trying to keep myself occupied and focus on the best outcome. I hope everything turns out good for you.

The wait is really stressful. It’s hard but try not to worry until you know. I had the same sort of thing and was referred for ultrasound and biopsies but they turned out to be cysts which could be drained and one couldn’t so that was tested and it turned out ok.

It’s important to remember it’s not always a bad outcome and try to keep busy in the meantime.

I really hope everything turns out ok for you.

Thank you so much, the wait is that hardest part! Trying to carry on as normal and convince yourself everything will be ok!!!

@Fartymcnarty yes definitely working for me, although when someone asks me how I am I just can’t cope with it and end up crying my eyes out.
Like I say, you don’t know til results are back.
There are plenty of distractions at the moment, getting ready for Christmas, planning to meet up with people etc so I am really throwing myself into that which is helping (and not like me at all to be organised!)
Hope everything goes well and you find some good things to take your mind off it all x