Lump on my breast - hand hold please...

[Bloom007]

Just that… a lump in my breast. I felt it last night, and I feel like the ground has shifted beneath me. It’s in the lower inner quadrant, hard, about the size between a chickpea and a pea. My heart sank the moment I realized it was there. I know this isn’t the most common location for breast cancer, and I’m still fairly young, in my 30s, but I can’t shake the fear.

I keep checking it—over and over—sitting up, standing up, lying down, arm up, arm down, you name it. Just trying to convince myself it’s not there, that its my lobules, that I made it up. But it’s there. It’s too defined.

My husband is away for business, 13 hours away by plane, and won’t be back until Friday. I can’t bring myself to tell him—I don’t want to worry him from so far away, and I rather tell him in person, not on a call/FaceTime. I feel so sick to my stomach...

Right now, I just need to say it out loud. I’m scared.

Didn’t want to read and run but you’re me 8 months ago. I’m over halfway through treatment and my prognosis is excellent. It’s natural to be scared but breast cancer is really treatable. Have you spoken to GP yet? The pathway moves quick once you do.

Hi there, I'm sorry you're feeling alone and scared. Wish I could give you a hug. Put the kettle on and take a deep breath - this will be okay.

First things first: book a GP appointment. It may not be cancer, but if it is, "pea sized" indicates a very early stage... very well done for spotting it!

Early stage means very treatable and extremely good prognosis, so you'll be able to get it sorted and get back to life as normal as soon as possible. Either way, your GP wants to know about it tomorrow. For now... get out the house, put a podcast on, and treat yourself to something nice to eat. Keep us updated and lots of love x

Have you booked to see GP? Tell receptionist what you've found and they should see you asap - please don't wait for DH to get home however supportive he may be! The GP will decide what happens next - probably 2-week pathway to get it looked at properly. Try not to worry (silly thing to say, I know!) but if it is something then it will be dealt with swiftly and compassionately. Good luck 💐

No experience but well done for writing this post, OP. Now put on the kettle and phone the GP. Now.

Most lumps aren't breast cancer! Try not to panic and assume the worst x

I'm in your boat, so sympathy here. I went to the GP the week before last on the wednesday, so about 10 days ago, and got my appointment for the breast clinic for yesterday (which I missed because I didn't get the letter until after the appointment had already passed due to the storm delaying the post!) so it is a really really quick turnaround to be seen properly. Where I live there is a one stop shop breast clinic where you see a consultant and get some imaging and you apparently get told then and there if it's nothing to worry about of you need more tests. I'm back on the waiting list because of the post thing but will be seen next week apparently.

I'm not personally too worried and the GP didn't seem to be either but mine isn't a lump as such, more a change in breast texture and pain, which might be down to perimenopause (I'm 45). Best of luck with your appointment but get to the GP straight away.

I’ve had two lumps - one pea and grape sized. Both times I was seen within two weeks and both times they were only cysts that they drained then and there at the ultrasound.

Best wishes.

Get a GP appt to get the ball rolling. They'll refer you on the two week pathway and although that sounds scary it's just the route to be seen by the experts.

Most lumps are not breast cancer. Even if it is then treatment is very effective, it's not like years ago. There are lots of treatment options available now.

Get to the gp asap. They'll probably do the 2ww referral. This happened to me recently. Saw gp 2 days after reporting a lump, got referred under 2ww, was seen exactly 2 weeks later at the hospital breast clinic, had mammogram and ultrasound and had a 3.9cm cyst drained all within a couple of hours.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. I called my GP this afternoon, but as usual, no appointments were available. They told me to call back tomorrow at 7 a.m., but with the morning rush, I’m not even sure I’ll get through. So we'll see tomorrow guess... frustrating beyond belief....

@MilitantFawcett im really sorry to hear that and wishing you speedy recovery ❤️

@Hols23 yes you're absolutely right, and that's what I'm hoping for. But my imagination is already running wild

@cocobeaner how annoying ! Ill have everything crossed for you.

Oh, I definitely won’t be waiting for him to come back before I try to see the GP—I’ll do everything I can to get an appointment as soon as possible. But in general, I just need to tell him. I’m absolutely dying to share this with him, to not feel so alone in this. Unfortunately, no luck with the GP today, which only adds to the frustration.

Thinking of you OP and sending lots of love 💐

Hi OP,

Former BC patient here. Please call your GP back and say you have a lump and would like a referral. Don't be fobbed off with "call back tomorrow". Make it clear.

Secondly, most (9/10) lumps are benign and it is more likely a fibroadenoma or a cyst than a tumour. I've had many of these and they're always smooth and hard and baked bean like! Obviously you have to get it checked but please try not to drive yourself mad in the interim. It's a complete waste of precious energy as there is nothing you can do until you know for certain. Also, avoid Google. Again not helpful at all.

So get back on the phone to GP today, and get things rolling. Good luck!

Current BC patient here. Absolutely everything @TheFormidableMrsC says. Don’t be fobbed off.

Wishing you well.

Been there op. It’s ok to be scared - while being aware it’s highly unlikely to be anything sinister. Get checked asap and take it from there. I had a biopsy, then had the lump removed. Benign in my case. Good luck, and stay calm.

I've had several of these and been checked very quickly at the local one stop breast clinic. Fortunately they've always been cysts and been benign. I am hoping the same for you x

What did you say when you rang for an appointment? What you need to say is that you have found a lump in your breast, are concerned it is cancer and you need an urgent referral. It’s true most lumps aren’t cancer, but the suspicion should mean an instant emergency appointment.

So ring back now and say that.

And then come back on here and tell us you've got an appt!! X

Yeah I did say that, I have found lump in my breast and I would like to make an appointment to get this checked. To be told - sorry, nothing left for today (GP shuts at 7pm...), only nurse is available and she won't be able to help. Call us tomorrow at 7am to make an appointment with GP who can check that for you.

Thank you. Yes, I'm fully aware that this will likely turn out to be a benign growth of some kind or even nothing at all. It's just so hard to stop you mind racing 😖

@Bloom007 I am pretty certain that a receptionist is not supposed to tell you to call back tomorrow when you are presenting with something that needs referring to the two week pathway. Do you have an online request option. Obviously call them asap tomorrow but if they're still saying that I'd present myself at the surgery. The whole system is a shit show at the moment.

I’m here with you. I had a GP appointment yesterday for a lump I found on Friday, size of a chickpea. I didn’t tell my DH until after the GP’s appointment and the onwards referral as I didn’t want him stressing out and he is not always the best at hiding emotions from our children.

The GP should put you on an urgent referral which gives you an appointment with a breast clinic within 2 weeks. My appointment came through last night an hour after I left the GP which is pretty impressive. Now I’m on a waiting countdown until 7 Feb.

I’m the main earner in our household so a bit worried if I have to be signed off work for treatment and we have a family history with breast cancer so currently juggling mixed emotions. Trying very hard to assume it’s just a fatty lump until proven otherwise…

Your GP receptionist should have booked you in for tomorrow. Crazy to make you call at 7am when they know you need to be seen. Can you try ringing again to say NICE guidelines mean you should be given an appointment fur tomorrow so why does this need a 7am call as symptoms will not change between now and then?

Appalling behaviour from the receptionist! Don’t be afraid to say ‘I am concerned it is cancer and I need an appointment today’. Don’t let them fob you off. If you can put in a request online do it now. Say you are want to be be referred to the two week cancer pathway. Don’t be afraid to say the word cancer. It makes even useless receptionists sit up (usually!). When you get your appointment tell the GP about the receptionist. Some people may not bother to try again which could be catastrophic.

Tomorrow you are not finishing that call until you have an appointment! Don't worry too much tonight, but insist tomorrow. Lost my SIL to secondary breast cancer last year age 39!