Lump in left breast

[ElleBelleLou]

Hello Mumsnet

On Sunday I felt a lump in my left breast - to give some context, I had surgery to remove a pre-cancerous mass from the same breast around 6 years ago

I've felt sick with worry since I've found this lump, but it's like I have some mental block stopping me from calling the doctor and making an appointment. I know I can't just ignore it, and that it could be nothing, but I can't make myself ring.

This lump feels higher than the other, around the size of a pea, it's hard and I can't move it. On the drawing, the blue is where my previous lump was and the red is where this one is. It's only small.

I know what I need to do, but I think I just need a bit of a handhold and reassurance that it could very well be nothing. I'm 28, my operation was when I had just turned 22 and I had a really rough recovery so I am so scared to potentially go through it all again.

Bless you, I can imagine how frightening this feels but you know what you need to do. Some women naturally have lumpy breasts and like you say it could be nothing to be worried about but with your history you need to get checked over sooner rather than later, if only for your own peace of mind. Wishing you the best 🩷

Hand hold. Be brave. Get it checked.

Please please don't wait. The earlier the diagnosis, if it is cancer, the more chance you have of a good recovery.
I have a relative who has just gone through similar and because she found it early she has been treated and is in remission. A friend left it and left it and she left it too late.
Please ring.

Thank you everyone, I've called. I knew I needed to - I have an appointment booked for 18th July, but I have a day off work this Thursday so I am going to ring first thing in the morning and try get an on the day appointment, because I think the sooner the better.

You definitely did the right thing.
Thanks for letting us know.
Best wishes for a good outcome.

I hope you get an earlier appt especially in light of your history.

Tell the Admin you are feeling very anxious, they may be able to slot you in.

Good luck.

Just for an update, I managed to get an earlier appointment and I'm in the waiting room as we speak. I feel sick with nerves even though I know today will be very regular and I'll likely be referred elsewhere. I'm just scared.

Thinking of you today.

Good luck

Thank you both. Had my appointment, it's a pea sized lump and there's some swelling in my armpit on that side. I've been referred to the breast clinic under the two week urgent cancer path and should hear from them by this Friday.

Another update, I called the referral number today (as advised) to check when I'd get my appointment as I'd not had any update. They let me know they are working on a huge backlog and I will likely hear by 25th July, even under the 2 week urgent pathway.

In 2018 in that same timescale I'd found the lump and had it removed, this time it's taking that long for the referral to go through. It's sad how our NHS has become.

I’ve just had my appointment through and it’s outside of 2 weeks (Only by a few days to be fair). I think they’re really busy buts it’s stressful not knowing. I hope you hear soon 💐

My dd (15) found a lump beginning of May. Has appointment next week (under 2 week wait). The staff at the gp/hospital when I've phoned have been lovely and so apologetic (it's not their fault but they all seem to want to apologise). I just hope we start seeing movement in these long waiting lists. I hope you get seen soon and get the reassurance/treatment you need.

Just an update whilst I'm having a browse today.

I went for my appointment at the hospital last Friday - saw the consultant first of all, where I lay on the bed and he felt the breast to see if there were any lumps. He felt it for maybe 4 seconds then said "no lumps, you're skinny you are feeling the top of your ribcage" very abruptly. I explained I knew it was a lump as I'd had one before, my GP had felt it hence the referral, but perhaps it has since gone which is of course a positive. He rolled his eyes and said he'll 'send me for a scan then'.

So I went for a scan, thinking nothing to worry about, the lump has gone, worry has lifted. The scanner woman (sorry, not sure of their actual title but she was lovely) was taking her time, taking quite a lot of pictures. She then said she needed to get a second opinion and left the room, leaving me lying there with the jelly all over my boob still not sure what is happening.

Next thing I know, there's 4 brand new people in my room - 2 nurses, a doctor and a medical student. They explain to me that there's 3 (?!) lumps that need biopsies. I was terrified, alone and never had a biopsy before and definitely wasn't expecting it after being told no lumps just an hour before - I am embarassed to say I passed out during the procedure but I was very well looked after.

Afterwards I met again with the original consultant, who said they would meet on Thursday to discuss my case and results and I am to wait for a letter with next steps.

All in all a strange experience. Now just a waiting game.

Well done to you @ElleBelleLou for fighting your corner. The first consultant was appalling. Fingers crossed for the biopsies to turn out benign.

Many thanks for letting us know. x

Well done @ElleBelleLou . Fingers crossed for you. I'm shocked by your first consultant though. You probably don't feel like complaining right now but I'd be tempted to.