Strange breast mass/lump

[Grapefruittea]

Just looking for a hand hold really until I can get to the doctors. Four years ago I was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma underneath the nipple. Two years ago I went to get it checked out again as I thought it had grown. They did an ultra sound and it was fine. I have been rather obsessively checking my breasts for the last month... prodding and poking and now it feels there is a harder mass just below my fibroadenoma . I wouldn't call it a hard lump and it feels really ropey. It does feel harder on this side than my right breast but when I push down I can feel the same ropey texture on both breasts. It just seems the side where I have the fibroadenoma is the tissue below it feels harder. But I'm not sure if this is because my obsessive prodding and Poking over the past month. I'm booking an appointment tomorrow but just hate that it is so hard to check your boobs, as you always come across rouge lumpiness and bumps and it's hard not to panic. To whoever has read this, thank you. I just needed a space to get my anxiety out xxx

Totally get you.
I found a lump on sat night and have freaked out. Going straight to the drs tomorrow at 8am when they open.
I'd get it checked asap x

@Grapefruittea I could have written your post. I've just had a GP appt and referral from to the breast clinic

Hopefully we'll all be absolutely fine 🥴

Sorry @Whoknows11 and @overthinkersanonnymus for the delayed reply! I wanted to respond once I'd been to the GP! I went today and she has referred me to breast clinic. She said 'there is something there, it feels long.' I wanted to ask a million questions but I guess I just have to wait now! Sending love to you both. Do you know when your appointments are? Xxx

I saw my gp yesterday and I have an appointment at the breast clinic next Wednesday. I feel a bit calmer now but still quite nervous when I think about it. Hope you get your appointment through soon OP x

@Whoknows11 that's amazingly quick! I hope it goes ok? Sending a big hug of support. I've been twice before (once in London and once in Hertfordshire) and both times the service was incredible.

Please can I join as I could really do with some support, sorry you are going through this stress too. I was referred last Thursday and still have no appointment. I was staying fairly calm until I remembered that the doctor booked me in for bloods (full blood count I think) at the doctor's surgery prior to the appointment, I think she said it was just this hospital of the two I was offered that ask for bloods but now I am completely panicking that it means she strongly suspects cancer. Has anyone else been sent for bloods or know if this is usual? I has been waiting reaosnably well but now I am totally terrified. I would be grateful for any hand holding or reassurance. Thank you.

@herbygarden so sorry your going through this and I can totally appreciate your anxiety! I've spent most of the evening poking and prodding my boob! I would call your doctor up and ask why they want a blood test. I have been to breast clinic before and wasn't given a blood test but maybe different clinics have different procedures. The fact you haven't got an appointment yet suggests there is no correlation as if it was that urgent they would have fast tracked the appointment. I don't know any of this for sure, but just trying to be logical. Sending a huge virtual hug xxxx

@Whoknows11 I have an appointment for a week on Monday. Please let me know how Wednesday goes xxx

@Grapefruittea I will do. Likewise let me know how you get on. It's such a horrible wait isn't it. I have moments of pure ignorance and then moments of oh no this is actually happening! Wake up every morning wishing it was gone and it's all been a mistake. Guess I'm in the denial stage x

@Whoknows11 do you mind me
Asking where your lump is? Mine is lower half of breast! When doctor was looking she said 'there's definitely something there. It feels quite long.' Then that was it!

Just joining you all for some solidarity and shared support. I found a lump on Monday night, GP on Tuesday, they think it's an abscess so given some antibiotics and appointment at the breast clinic first thing tomorrow morning.

I'm many years past breastfeeding so I know abscess are more unusual / can be a bad sign. Trying to manage the anxiety (and the nightmare that is having to take time off work at short notice).

I hope everyone's appointments go OK. Unmumsnetty hugs

@Grapefruittea it's just above my right nipple. It's hard, pea size or maybe bigger. The location is worrying me but I have no idea why?!

@VerityUnreasonble oh no... come join us all and sending an unmumsnetty hug back to you. It sounds positive that they think it's an abscess and I'm glad you will get the other Checks for peace of mind! It's great this part of the NHS seems to work well, but it sure is nerve wracking waiting xxxx

@VerityUnreasonble that's amazing service, where about are you? Hope all goes well
for you x

@Whoknows11 I had similar so hard lump on the lower breast which turned out to be a fibroadenoma a few years back. I don't want to give false hope but there are lots of benign breast conditions (however if someone said that to me right now, I wouldn't listen). I think whatever location it is in you would worry. I have over googled everything this week. I wish I could just switch off. Sending hugs xxx

@Grapefruittea yes I never knew there were so many breast lump conditions before I googled this week! I feel scared as my mum has had breast cancer so I feel a little bit more vulnerable I guess.

West Yorkshire, GP said the abscess clinic is faster than the 2ww clinic but will check the same things so better to go that route (although the referral still says 2ww on it!). I'm doing my best to convince myself that that is all it is and while annoying, it is much better than the alternative.

@Grapefruittea thank you. The waiting is awful (I might also have done a fair bit of poking to check if it has magically disappeared / changed). Binge watching rubbish TV and mumsnet is a great distraction I find!

Rope like masses can be Mondors syndrome (totally innocent and goes of it’s own accord). Mine felt like a phone cable under the skin.

@Whoknows11 oh gosh, of course you do. That's totally reasonable to feel this way. I spoke to a good friend this week. She said go to the doctors and then we will deal with what they say. I called her about the appointment and then she said, 'this is great that positive steps are being taken to find out what is wrong and sorting the problem.' She told me to just take each step at a time and it is somewhat helping. I hope it helps a little bit

@VerityUnreasonble ohh what TV are you binge watching? I've just finished the trash that is MAFS Australia haha maybe need something more high brow xxx

Thank you @Grapefruittea logic is a good plan, I have mostly been spiralling and panicking tonight, so thank you.

Good luck @VerityUnreasonble so sorry you are in this stressful position too.

Has anyone found they have had to wait longer than 14 days for an appt? When I called today I was told they are trying to put extra clinics on, and I get the impression they will struggle to meet that. To be honest I have been Googling a local Spire hospital tonight and considering trying to get an appointment and sticking it on my credit card! I noticed a change in my armpit a good few months ago and thought it wasn't anything worrying but since got sensible and saw the doctor and she found a breast lump too, so I just feel so very worried and very stupid for not going sooner.

Thanks for all being here, feeling lonely with this this week Xxx

@Grapefruittea ahh don't judge me! I'm currently watching Queen Cleopatra on Netflix which is very historical and I can pretend I'm learning but I've got through most of this week watching ancient episodes of casualty on Uktvplay (and annoying DH by complaining when things are v. unlikely to happen in a real hospital).

I've watched a fair bit of MAFS Aus but not got round to finishing the latest season. Must do so.

I think having it close to home is scary @Whoknows11 I'm ashkenazi and there is a family history (although not my own mother) so the increased risk is in the back of mind too

But there absolutely are loads of benign reasons for lumps. Bodies are terribly annoying things!

@Whoknows11 mine is just under my right nipple, sort of on the border of my areola and the location is also worrying me too.

I've messed with my nipple so much that it's made the skin greasy 😫

At the hospital for my appointment, been fondled by a stranger for the 2nd time so far this week. Now waiting for a scan. Consultant said they don't do mammograms if you are under 40 (I'm 6 months off!).

They are being very kind and efficient so far but being here isn't helping the anxiety any.

Back home. They did an ultrasound and aspirated. Which produced some lovely pus and blood as the radiographer kindly showed me. That will be sent off for cultures.

The consultant thinks it is likely a cyst / infection but as there was blood can't rule out a small tumour at this point.

Have to go back next week for results and another look. Until then the plan is keep taking the antibiotics and try to stay positive.

I'm a bit sad they didn't just say "all fine, don't come back" but I guess at least they didn't say "this looks terrible" either.