Hi all,
I was referred to the breast unit three weeks ago for mammogram and ultrasound which they told me were all clear and discharged me. However, I then found a new lump and have nipple discharge and my GP has referred me back - am due to go today. I have seen the letter written by the hospital and it says that my parenchymal pattern is P2. Everything I have read says this is high risk. What should I be asking for today - as I’m sure they will just have me down as a paranoid freak and discharge me again. Is this OK? Sorry for too many questions but am a little worried…
Hello Fieldingmouse,
Poor you, what a roller-coaster! The first thing to say say is that clearly your GP does not think you are paranoid or a hypochondriac, as she/he has referred you (a second time?). There are completely bengign causes of lumps and discharges, and let’s hope on your case this is just ‘bad luck’ (or very bad luck actually) to have two scares in quick succession.
If, as it sounds, your lump and discharge are newly appeared, then probably there is a non-cancer explanation - even very aggressive cancers don’t grow that quickly.
As to what to ask, it will depend on what they say/do. You might want to ask about the P2 status and how that then gets followed up. If they do find something they want to biopsy, then they should tell you what they think they are looking for. It’s hard to think of questions but I suggest you write them down, take the list with you, and then write down the answers (they are used to this!)
Hopefully you will get a good result - maybe a cyst they can drain or an infection they can give you meds for - and go home rejoicing, have a stiff coffee (or something stronger). If, heaven forbid, it is something nasty, then they will get things moving really quickly to get you the best possible treatment. In this eventuality, you will have questions about the treatment plan, such as what and when, but don’t try to pre-empt that, there will be a follow-up appointemt PDQ if needed when you can ask the questions.
Be careful what you read online - some of it is out of date or just plain wrong - and do your best to remain positive… 90% of breast lumps are not cnacer. No one will be happier than us if you come back and say it was something benign and all mended.
Hi am am newby on here and need advice to…In the shower this morning i noticed my left breast was bigger than my right and did a check and felt a lump but not as a marble type more like a small soft ball type…have noticed that my nipples seem to be discharging abit of fluid…nothing much put it down to time of month…i have been feeling unwell recently nothing big just unwell with many mouth ulcers coming often…i am very aware as my darling ma lost her fight 2 years ago and she was very involved with Breast Cancer Care in Cornwall…since then i am constantly worried i may well get it so imagine my complete horror this morning…i dont have anyone to chat to and i dont really want to worry my hubby until i know more…do you think i should call my doctor…my ma never let me see or feel her lump so dont know what it would feel like…also is there a support group for family members who need to talk to people who have lost or got a relative with Breast Cancer and just need to talk to someone who is going through the same?
Many thanks
xx
Hello Emshun
Welcome to the forums, this must be a very worrying time for you, I’m sure the users of the site will be along to support you soon.
Whilst waiting for replies maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi - back from hospital. Am booked in to have duct clearance and biopsies on 18th Jan. :o(
To Fieldingmouse… that must be very worrying for you, so sorry that you now face Christmas with that shadow hanging over you, but at least you now know you were right to go to your doctor and to get referred. I don’t know about the proedure you are to have but I expect it could still be benign, or if not hopefully anything nasty confined to ducts (DCIS is the term they use for ductal cancer that has not spread beyond the ducts) so try not to panic and fear the worst. Well done for being brave and going… now go and treat yourself to something lovely, you deserve it.
To Emshun… gosh, how awful for you. Please phone your GP and tell them you’ve found a lump in your breast, and they should see you urgently - do not let them fob you off, and do make sure you say what it is you are concerned about. Hopefully your GP will be able to reassure you, but may well refer you to a breast clinic (afterall GPs are not breast specialists) and you could be there in less than 2 weeks if it’s an urgent referral. In the meantime please avoid Google and try not to worry yourself with too many ‘what ifs’… it is still true that 90% of lumps are not cancer, and panicing won’t alter that. Try to find someone you can tell - I did it alone until diagnosis becuase I live alone and am fiercely independent, but my surgeon there and then told me I must tell someone, he was right! Please, pick up your phone, make the call… and then go and treat yourself to chocolate/cake/wine/whatever as a reward which is well earned.
Hi RevCat - thank you so much for the time you have taken to answer my post. It’s strangely reassuring to know that there is someone who you can talk to - including all the tmi stuff. I am very lucky in that I have a brilliant family and they are all very close - so I can talk to any of them - but I try not too as I don’t want to worry/upset them.
Anyway - I kind of knew that all was not right - so today didn’t really come as a surprise - it’s just the surgery was a “worst case scenario” and that’s what I got.
Emshun - sorry to hear your stress but please see a doctor. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Love Fieldingmouse. X