Hello, I’ve been drawn towards this forum a few times and found it to be very helpful so decided to register.
I’m 39 and awaiting my second visit to the Breast Care Clinic within 6 months.
I initially went to the Breast Care Unit last December after finding a cord-like tethering in my right breast. My GP had never seen anything like it before and referred me to the unit for further investigation. Within the two week wait a small lump appeared at the bottom of the tethering near my nipple.
At the Breast Unit, I was examined and my health history taken by a nurse. She felt that it was unlikely to be anything worrying but couldn’t explain what she thought it was, other than the lump was probably a swollen milk duct. She told me I would receive more answers following my mammogram and ultrasound.
The mammogram was far easier than I had imagined and not in the least painful. I was called through for an ultrasound shortly afterwards and told that I had dense breasts but the lump and tethering weren’t showing on either the mammogram or ultrasound. I was told that sometimes there’s no answer and I was free to go.
Admittedly, it was a little frustrating going home without an answer. The hospital had reassured me that nothing was malignant but even so, I wished I had an explanation for it.
Of course I googled and discovered Mondor’s Disease, which seemed to fit in well with my symptoms and the tethering and lump went away within weeks.
Last week I discovered a new lump, again in the right breast but further up above the nipple. This isn’t a round lump as before. It feels hard but perhaps more capsule-shaped. I had recently had a chat with an acquaintance who was having some suspicious breast tissue removed and she told me to be wary of my breast tethering because her lump was only discovered by MRI. I researched this and discovered that because dense breast tissue shows up as white, lumps also show as white and therefore dense breasts can be problematic with mammograms and even ultrasounds. I hadn’t been told this at the hospital. Literally days later I found my new lump.
I am now awaiting my appointment back at the breast care unit. I am concerned that the same could happen and this lump could also be difficult to see. The GP thought it was probably glandular but it was best to check.
Would I be within my rights to ask for an MRI if the lump doesn’t show up again this time? It is definitely larger than the last one. I can’t help but feel concerned that something could have been missed in December but then I’m sure the the tethering wouldn’t have gone if so. I’m sure the staff know exactly what they are feeling for and can tell if a lump feels malignant or not, but I would like reassurance from more than just an examination. I think it’s because I’ve had two areas of concern within the same breast in 6 months that has made me a little more worried this time around. I shall be glad to receive the date of my next appointment. I only saw the GP today but have been told I’ll be contacted by Wednesday.
Thanks for your time in reading this.
Hi Emma. I think you’re doing absolutely the right thing getting checked out again and thinking about what you need. I’d say you’d be within your rights to ask for whatever you feel you need. My GP didn’t refer me to the breast clinic initially, because it was…and I quote…“impossible that it’s cancer”. I was thinking of that during my first chemotherapy session on Saturday. You fight for yourself and your health. I’m hoping yours is innocent though. Xx
Hi Emma
Definitely good to get it checked out. Maybe as it sounds different they will try a diffferent approach - possibly a biopsy (sounds as though they did not do that last time). I have had bc in both breasts. First time in right breast problem showed up on mammogram and then DCIS confirmed by ultrasound and biopsy. Second time on left I found a lump and they thought from mammogram and u/s that it was OK but luckily because of previous history they did a biopsy around the lump to make sure. This revealed high grade DCIS and then mastectomy revealed invasive cells which had not shown up on anything (the lump itself was apparently harmless). I did not have MRI - they did offer it after the biopsy on the left showed the DCIS to see whether they could determine the extent (as nothing had shown up on u/s and mammogram). However this would have been to assess whether WLE was a possibility and I wanted to go straight to mastectomy because I had already had mx on right due to no clear margins after WLE. There was therefore no point in delaying to do MRI and unclear (with hindsight) whether the invasive cells would have shown up on that anyway. In my case it was the biopsy which was critical. I hope this time you get a clear answer but if it is unclear again and they don’t offer biopsy or MRI definitely worth asking about it. Good luck - and as Cass says hope it is harmless.
Thank you both for your responses and support. I hope that I am offered a biopsy this time too, just for my own piece of mind, whatever the outcome. Obviously, I don’t much fancy having one but I know this will give me some reassurance and I can then move on - either to try not to worry or to begin making treatment plans.
I really don’t want to leave the hospital this time without knowing what it is or what is causing it. At least if I have a biopsy I will know that I should have the results in about a week.
I now have my appointment for next Thursday, so not too long to wait at all. I hate being in limbo and waiting for things. I’d rather know, no matter what it is.
It just goes to show that something they don’t necessarily think looks suspicious can well be a malignant lump. I’ve been reading through the forum and discovered that this happens a lot. So it has certainly given me the boost to insist on a full explanation this time and to ask for further investigations if they don’t offer them, either a biopsy or MRI.
Good luck to you both. x
Thank you both for your responses and support. I have tried to reply twice before, but I don’t know where they’re going as they haven’t posted.
Within 24 hours I heard from the BCC with an appointment for next Thursday. I’m looking forward to going and getting it over with and now I’m more aware that lumps won’t necessarily show up on mammograms or ultrasound, I am hoping to have a biopsy, just so that I can have a proper answer, whatever the case. Being in limbo is the worst. I think once you know what you’re dealing with, you can get on with it.
My husband celebrated 10 years cancer free yesterday, so I know I’ll be happier, for want of a better word, once I know what is what.
I wish you both all the best. x
Thank you both for your support and responses. I have an appointment for next Thursday and I know I shall fell so much happier to get there and get things moving. I hate being in limbo and waiting. I’m hoping that they will do a biopsy (or biopsies). I can now feel other areas that are lumpy, which is where the original tethering from last year was.
I’ve tried so many times to post a reply but for some reason I have been unable to reply to this post or comment on any others, so should this not work, I’ll open a new thread asking for some help. I’ve read through the FAQs, so I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong!
Wishing you both all the very best. x
Thank you both for your responses and support. I’m going to the BCC on Thursday so hopefully will get some definitive answers or at least have a biopsy or maybe more.
I’ve been trying to post a reply for days but each time it says they have posted but I can’t see them on the thread. Fingers crossed this time it’ll work!
Sorry for the madness with all the comments. I had an email today explaining that as a new member my comments were being quarantined and there was a bit of a hiccup with them disappearing. They’ve now resurfaced, so apologies for my repeating myself. I was just trying so hard to comment and couldn’t understand why nothing was showing up.
I was seen today but the consultant couldn’t feel the actual lump that brought me into the BCC. He examined me sat up and I can feel it better lying down. He said that was a good sign that it wasn’t malignant as cancerous lumps are more prominent and can be felt easily whether stood, sat or lying. As I’d had a mammogram within 6 months and have dense breasts he saw no reason to repeat it but I had another ultrasound. The sonographer asked where the lump was. I showed her, she put the probe directly above it and I was so relieved that this time, the lump showed up. She confirmed that it is glandular and will possibly grow and I’ll have it until menopause. It made all the difference coming away from the BCC this time, knowing exactly what was what and that my lump was actually seen on the ultrasound.
So good news. 