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Women's health

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Original poster

Strange breast mass/lump

155 replies

Grapefruittea · 08/05/2023 21:28

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

OP posts:
OneFrenchEgg · 16/05/2023 07:42

Yeah last dose today, I got the 'you are on the list' letter yesterday and the GP also emailed surgeons re : any faster appointments.
(I think to fast track an ultrasound).
I just feel very uncomfortable like that side is pulling, at least the pills reduced the swelling etc.

EightToSixer · 16/05/2023 15:58

Thanks all. I’m glad I’m in hell in company. Although I’d rather none of us being here at all.
I’m sitting in the waiting room waiting for my mammogram next to hundreds of leaflets about cancer and opposite a flow chart of what will happen at my appointment but I think this is just a mammogram not a full appointment. It’s all very confusing. Everyone else is here with their husbands and teenage school kids which is weird to me. I’m the only one alone. I didn’t even think to ask anyone else to come.

OneFrenchEgg · 16/05/2023 17:04

@EightToSixer my mum offered and I refused. Haven't even told dh when it is. I can't face being vulnerable and fussed over.

VerityUnreasonble · 16/05/2023 17:30

EightToSixer · 16/05/2023 15:58

Thanks all. I’m glad I’m in hell in company. Although I’d rather none of us being here at all.
I’m sitting in the waiting room waiting for my mammogram next to hundreds of leaflets about cancer and opposite a flow chart of what will happen at my appointment but I think this is just a mammogram not a full appointment. It’s all very confusing. Everyone else is here with their husbands and teenage school kids which is weird to me. I’m the only one alone. I didn’t even think to ask anyone else to come.

I hope it's all gone OK Flowers

EightToSixer · 16/05/2023 20:05

Thanks. It went ok. I was just having a mammogram like I thought.
it went ok, not painful, just uncomfortable so better than a smear already.
they have said they will call me in to see the doctor whatever the outcome so I guess that’s when I’ll have an ultrasound and biopsy if needed.
I treated myself to a Mr Whippy on the way home to reward myself for being a good girl.

overthinkersanonnymus · 16/05/2023 21:13

EightToSixer · 16/05/2023 20:05

Thanks. It went ok. I was just having a mammogram like I thought.
it went ok, not painful, just uncomfortable so better than a smear already.
they have said they will call me in to see the doctor whatever the outcome so I guess that’s when I’ll have an ultrasound and biopsy if needed.
I treated myself to a Mr Whippy on the way home to reward myself for being a good girl.

Glad it went without too much discomfort @EightToSixer

Have they said when you'll be called back?

EightToSixer · 16/05/2023 21:48

overthinkersanonnymus · 16/05/2023 21:13

Glad it went without too much discomfort @EightToSixer

Have they said when you'll be called back?

Show quote history

They said on the phone yesterday that it’s always within 2 weeks but if it’s concerning it might be a few days, but she then backtracked and said ‘sometimes it might be a few days even if it’s nothing sinister if we’re not busy’. So I’m pretty sure I’ll be panicking either way.

how is everyone else doing this week?

OneFrenchEgg · 16/05/2023 22:57

Did they tell you anything? They've always found a cyst and aspirated it/biopsied it when I've been before and then a follow up a week later or a phone call.

EightToSixer · 17/05/2023 10:56

OneFrenchEgg · 16/05/2023 22:57

Did they tell you anything? They've always found a cyst and aspirated it/biopsied it when I've been before and then a follow up a week later or a phone call.

I think that is the next stage when I go back in. The first part here seems to be just mammogram and then when I go back in they will ultrasound and potentially biopsy whatever they find.

OneFrenchEgg · 17/05/2023 11:15

Oh it must be different everywhere. Last time they did both, then aspirated and biopsy - went back for results.

Original poster
Grapefruittea · 17/05/2023 17:51

Just want to check in and see how you're all doing xxxx

OP posts:
VerityUnreasonble · 17/05/2023 18:18

Thanks @Grapefruittea I'm exhausted once again, really busy day, presentation for a couple of 100 people so had to put my best face on and try and remember not to absentmindedly rub my boob! Came home and went to bed for a bit. Another similar day planned tomorrow! At least it seems to be making the week go quickly.

Is the new job going well?

OneFrenchEgg · 17/05/2023 18:53

@VerityUnreasonble is your appointment follow up on Friday? I hope you get good news.
Mine is Tuesday so a week to go - been sent a form to complete and I can see I've had three appointments since 2016. One cyst on one side and then a cyst and columnar cell changes and fibrocystic changes on the infected side.

Whoknows11 · 17/05/2023 19:42

Had mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy today. It's not a cyst and could see something on my lymph node in my arm pit area?!
Go back for results next week. Pretty scared!
Biopsy now hurts a lot!!

OneFrenchEgg · 17/05/2023 19:52

Oh @Whoknows11 a big hug (gently) for you. I'm sorry you have some scary uncertainty. Thank goodness for the time frames and the relative short wait.

Whoknows11 · 17/05/2023 19:55

@OneFrenchEgg thank you. I'm off on holiday next Friday early morning and appointment is at 4pm on the Thursday the day before!
At least I'll know before I go away 🤞🏻

OneFrenchEgg · 17/05/2023 20:00

Oh no! I don't know if that's good or bad timing. Looks like all of us are in the system now at least, either first or follow up booked.

Whoknows11 · 17/05/2023 20:18

Crazy isn't it! Even more crazy to think I ran the London marathon 3 weeks ago and now the possibility I have cancer! Life is crazy!!

overthinkersanonnymus · 17/05/2023 20:26

Shit @Whoknows11 I'm really sorry you didn't get the all clear at your appointment. Did they give any indication that it may be cancer? Or could it be something else entirely?

Whoknows11 · 17/05/2023 20:28

@overthinkersanonnymus 95% sure it's not harmful but I'm preparing myself for the worst!! They found a cyst in the other breast 😩

overthinkersanonnymus · 17/05/2023 20:35

@Whoknows11 well they sound like good odds. And I get what you're saying about preparing for the worst because I've been doing that too.

Please keep us updated xx

Original poster
Grapefruittea · 17/05/2023 22:05

@Whoknows11 sending a big hug to you! The uncertainty is horrible. Wish I could take you out for cuppa and a slice of cake! Amazing about the London Marathon - what an incredible thing to do.

@VerityUnreasonble thinking of you too! I'm so impressed you presented in front of 100 people, with all this on your mind. presenting is one thing I hate with a passion. Sending big hugs to you too. Xxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
Grapefruittea · 17/05/2023 22:06

@Whoknows11 I agree with @overthinkersanonnymus the odds sound really good, so keeping everything crossed xxxx

OP posts:
OneFrenchEgg · 17/05/2023 22:12

Yes the odds sound good, well done on the marathon.

EightToSixer · 17/05/2023 22:29

@Whoknows11 sending positive vibes for your results. Fingers crossed.

@VerityUnreasonble I hear you on the absent minded boob rub. I also have to speak in front of lots of people sometimes at work and I’m scared I’ll do the same! I have a massive public talk to do at the end of May which will be filmed and at the moment I can’t imagine how I’ll do it without rubbing my boob and or crying in public.