Breast clinic tomorrow

[Summer199444]

Hi

I'm 29 about 2 weeks ago I noticed a large lump behind my nipple, my nipple has also inverted and feels hot. I went to see my gp and she referred me to the breast clinic. My appointment is tomorrow and I'm so scared. Can anyone talk me through what will happen at the clinic tomorrow ? If it's nothing to worry about will they tell me tomorrow? Thank you

Wishing you all the best, OP xx

Good. That's from your perspective. And from mine you were jumping on me when I didn't need it. Byee

OP, if it's any comfort, after I had completed the major treatment for my cancer, I attended a seminar on signs of recurrence and different treatments for breast cancer. There were two very experienced consultants present who we were able to speak to and ask questions, and they both said that in most cases (obviously not all) it takes around five years for a tumour to grow to the size where it's detectable and needs to be treated. I don't think there's any need to panic at the timescale you're facing. Also, I was diagnosed with two tumours on 16 November, over a month since the recall from my mammogram, and the surgeon was happy to leave my surgery until the new year because it wasn't particularly aggressive.

I do remember only too welll how scary it is, particularly when you don't know exactly what you're facing, but In your case, and from what you've said, if the consultant at the breast clinic really thought you appeared to have an aggressive cancer, I very much doubt that they would be leaving you two weeks between appointments. They really can tell quite a lot from mammograms and ultrasound, and if it's just DCIS (ie pre cancerous cells) that doesn't need to be treated as quickly as some other types of breast cancer.

Quite honestly I didn't find McMillan to be very helpful when I had my cancer - they deal with so many types of cancer, and I really think you're better off speaking to a specialist support charity like Breast Cancer Now. They have people who have gone through exactly the same as you and who will be able to talk to you about your situation for as long as you need to. They also have a fantastic range of resources available. .

Thank you for taking the time to write. Thanks for the words of comfort it's reassuring. It's the same dr I've seen both times and he said the ultrasound doesn't know what it is cause they can't get the angle right because it's right be hind the nipple? He said he's not confident to do the biopsy himself because we're it is and the size that's why he's referred me on I think. But 2 weeks in a row he's told me he would do it then he says he's not confident enough to do it within himself, which I don't want him to do if even he doesn't think hes capable. It's just all frustrating. When they keep telling me at appointments I'll get answers today. But I'm not further forward than I was when I found the lump I know just the same. I'm just really really stressed and emotionally drained with it all

OP try and take some comfort from those who have reassured you. I can't imagine how anxious this must be making you feel. I think I attended breast clinic the day you posted, luckily it was a cyst and was diagnosed and drained there and then but the week preceding that I was so anxious I could barely think of anything else, I was a mess. I think I would feel just as stressed and frustrated as you feel because you go in expecting answers. I do appreciate that in some cases it is not as straightforward and it can take some time but that doesn't mean you are going to feel any less stressed or worried whilst waiting, please take some reassurance from PP and I hope you get some answers at your next appt. Keep us updated and fingers crossed all will be fine x

Oh of course you're stressed with it, OP. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't. But just keep reminding yourself that there are so many possible benign conditions you could have, and remember that you would be very very young to have breast cancer.

But I think you ARE further forward from when you found the lump - in many cases, it's clear from an ultrasound and mammogram that a lump IS cancerous, and When I had my tests, they were 95% certain that my tumours were malignant before they did the biopsy. Whatever the doctor can see from your images, it doesn't sound as though it's at all obvious that it's cancer at this stage so try to see this as a positive.

Maybe not the best of advice, but I got through the horrible waiting period by eating pizzas and playing games on my tablet. 😆😆

Thanks so much, I've ordered some pens and books to keep me busy