Breast lump please help(anxiety)

[Boymommy93]

Hi everyone, I've two kids 4 and 18 months.
About 6 months ago I found a long hard but slightly mobile lump or lump area in the inframammory area (lower left breast). Paid for private US - scan just showed dense breast tissue and she didn't see a need to biopsy. Then I had my public app.
Consultant felt for literally a min and said not overly concerned but it's big so will rescan in 6 weeks. I didn't want to wait so he sent me urgently at my request.
I got the second US end of Oct. She scanned the lower area of breast and said just normal lumpy tissue.
But the lumps still there and big, about 4cm.
I had follow up and consultant said we will biopsy anyway. He asked radiology to do one but they refused as scan showed normal tissue. So 6 weeks later and my biopsy is here this coming Friday in the day ward and I'm so nervous and dreading the wait for results.

My question is I guess - should I be OK after two normal ultrasounds? I'm also 30 with no family history. Just so scared as I have crippling health anxiety.

Sorry for long post. Please any warm words of wisdom as I have nobody to speak to about this and its really affecting my mental health.
TIA x

Mine never went away and is pretty large. It’s benign and causes me no problems.

Having a biopsy is scary, the needle is intimidating, but it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. Hang in there and plan something nice for yourself the next day as a reward for going through with it.

Sending gentle hugs to you. I had the same thing a few years ago..... apparently I have naturally lumpy breasts!!!! Good luck on Friday and please keep us all updated????

I know how scary it is, OP.

I went for investigation of a breast lump, and my ultrasound findings were very concerning/suspicious for cancer - the radiologist and the nurse assisting him both turned very serious all of a sudden when they were looking at the scan. They did several biopsies there and then. I was shitting myself waiting for the results, but everything was fine in the end!

I'm sure if you have had 2 scans, both looking benign/unconcerning, then the biopsy will confirm that for you. I know the waiting is scary though!

I had stage 3 breast cancer 3 years ago. My lovely consultant showed me the ultrasound as they performed it and told me what we were looking at. It was very obvious it was malignant, even to an untrained eye like mine.It had a huge heat signature, was every colour in the rainbow and had multiple spikes shooting out in every direction( imagine a sprouting potato).

If youve had 2 thorough unltrasounds and theyve been clear, i would take that as you have nothing to worry about.

Thanks. Did you have a biopsy on yours, what did it end up being? I suppose I'd have just felt it was more straigut forward if I was told it was a cyst. The same radiologist did the scans and she said its just showing up normal healthy breast tissue. Which I'm glad about but confused as there is a lump still there

Thanks so much. I'm hoping that's all mine is too but my other breast has zero lumps. I'll definitely keep you guys updated x

Wow that must have terrified you. Thankfully all was OK, its reassuring to hear ❤️

Wow I'm sorry to hear that but great that you're ok and able to pass your advice to others. I didn't see anything on the scan like that from what I could see, so that's really reassuring me too. Thank you so much

OP, when you want to reply to a specific post, either include their user name (type the @ symbol and the start of the user name and the user names on the thread will pop up for you to choose from) or click on the three dots in the top right of their post and select Quote.

Very confusingly, there is a Reply "feature" on Mumsnet that doesn't tag who you're replying at all. It's daft.

For me, it was just breast tissue that altered following my second pregnancy. It got quite large but it isn't a problem. Some women are prone to lumpy breast tissue.

It's important to check just in case, but it's perfectly possible for it to be nothing to worry about.

Take someone to hold your hand if you can, that can help. (I didn't, but when I flinched at the sight of the biopsy needle, the very lovely nurse held my hand)

It's hard to not worry, I know, but honestly, chances are that with two clear ultrasounds it will turn out to be nothing. They're just being cautious, which is a good thing.

Sending hugs, sounds like all will be well but I think it's good you're getting it checked out just in case.
I know someone who had breast lumps that were identified as normal tissue, they were advised to get a professional bra fitting done as a too small cup with underwires can sometimes damage or irritate breast tissue and cause lumps - just thought I'd mention in case useful x

@LenaLamont hi thanks for guiding me I've never actually posted before so wasn't sure how to do it.

That's reassuring that it happened following your second pregnancy too. My 2nd was a year old when I noticed it, never had anything like that after my first.
I'm apprehensive for the next few weeks but trying to focus on the ultrasounds and the reassuring words from the doctors. The nurse told me they want to tick the box. So hopeful that's what it is.

@MamPadi hi,

Thanks for your reply. Now that you've said it I remember during my first scan back in August the radiologist told me to avoid underwire bras. I haven't worn one since and I didn't really wear them much before but I'm hoping that maybe that was the cause of the lumps as its in and around that area.

@Redannie118 thanks for your reassuring message it really helps as I've just had this dragging on sooo long now it's really draining me. I hope you're doing OK now?

Hi @Boymommy93 i had same at approx 28/9 when my son was small. They expedited me and scanned and biopsied to be sure. It was a fibroadenoma (they called it a breast mouse) - harmless lump of breast tissue. It’s still there twenty years later, unchanged. And the biopsy wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d feared. I’d taken a couple paracetamol before I went and it was fine. I’m sure if they’re thinking it’s fine then it will be, hope you get your peace of mind soon x

@LulaK hi, Thanks for this. Appreciate any positive stories I can get. I'd originally hoped it would just be a fibroadenoma when I first found it, i feel like it would have been more straight forward if it was x

I'm not sure anyones reading here but my biopsy which was scheduled for Friday has now been cancelled due to an over flow of patients. They're closing for two weeks and I have to wait to be rescheduled. I'm actually at my wits end with all this 😭

I had a breast cancer diagnosis nearly 4 years ago. If anything at all had shown up on the ultrasound they would have carried out an immediate biopsy. They don't wait around. They know what they're looking at. I agree with PP that you have very likely nothing to worry about.

@TheFormidableMrsC hi there, thanks for your reply. Hope you are doing well now and I'm sorry about your prior diagnosis. It helps to hear those reassuring words. The two times I had the scans the same breast radiologist did it and she was very reassuring, both scans were quick but she assured me she didn't see anything to biopsy.
So I guess I'm just confused as to why the consultants making me have one. But I really appreciate that you think I've nothing to worry about, I'm clinging onto all positive words I can find

Hello again, OP!

Sorry to be late replying, I’m up to my ears in household chaos.

It’s so stressful and frustrating to have a biopsy rescheduled, and I’m sorry it happened.

On the bright side, were they seriously concerned, they’d have pushed it through.

Hang in there.
You will get through it and I’ll touch base as often as I can, but there’s nothing but patience and fortitude to get you through. It’s a cruel process, waiting for outcomes.

I send you nothing but best wishes.

Hi @LenaLamont

Yes you're right, so frustrating. I left a message with the nurses and they got back to me and said my consultant actually works in a private hospital too and can see me there on Friday if I'm still available.
She said he's not that worried but understands the predicament I'm in and that I've been waiting a while and want to get it done.
So I should be still getting it done on Friday.
Trying not to read too much into it and taking the nurse for what she said.

I send you a very un-Mumsnet hug and a ruddy great G&T to help you through the next couple of days.

You aren’t alone. One of the (few?) great things about the internet age is that there’s always someone awake and listening.

Overwhelming chances are that you’ll be fine, but that tiny chance you won’t can loom very large. I’m crossing my fingers for you.

Thank you, I'm ok I think! Next mammo in March which is always a stress! I forgot to mention I once had quite a long fibroadenoma. They can feel alarming but are absolutely harmless. I think the consultant is just trying to put your mind at rest. I hope we're all right and this is just precautionary. I have to say that I knew straight away that the radiographer knew what he was looking at with my tumour. He just said "that needs a biopsy and I'll do that now". He also checked my armpit and said "this is good news, your nodes are clear". My diagnosis a week or so later was not a surprise to me just on the basis of that conversation. They are reluctant to tell you on the spot, preferring to have the biopsy analysed to be absolutely certain. However, I am pretty sure that if there had been any concerns you would have had it there and then. Good luck for Friday

I've had fibro adenos (?) Since I was 16.. always told benign but I started to get a lot of pain so they expedited me to a manogram , scan and then biopsies .

Since pregnancy the original had grown and there were 2 more, both found to be benign after biopsies.

The biopsies were like a stapler, I was in excruciating pain but lived to tell the tale.

The dr said if it were cancer it would've been v evident but they were making double sure.

I still have shooting pains so will go in yet again! Try to not worry needlessly

You shouldn't have been in any pain with a biopsy! That's really bad. I had four samples taken from my tumour and didn't feel a thing aside from pressure. I'm sorry that happened to you.

@App13 my own gp said it would have been obvious to the radiologists on the scans and they would have done the biopsy if they seen anything worrying. So trying to take solace in that. The radiologist who did the scans is the consultant breast radiologist so im sure she has seen plenty of scans to know what she's looking for.
It's just worrying that the consultants still insisting on a biopsy but I have been told by the nurses it's to be doubly sure.
I was hoping it would just be a straight forward cyst or fibroafenoma so it wouldn't have dragged on like this. But I'm hoping the biopsy will put it to bed for me once and for all.

I have to say the longer it goes on I'm just finding it harder to keep going. It's draining feeling the worry in the background all the time.
Glad all was OK with your situation