Anxious about finally being taken seriously

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Hello!

 

I can’t believe i’m writting in a forum, but i’m just so anxious for my appointment consult with a surgeon at a breast care centre.

 

I’m almost 27 living in Canada and this appointment has taken 9 months to happen!  I first found a 1-2cm lump in June of last year. My family doctor agreed and sent me for an untrasound which flagged and mammograms were ordered, I heard nothing and was happy. I had a 3 month follow up in with another ultrasound and another set of mammograms. (I work in healthcare) and was able to discuss my mammogram with the radiologist. He told me I had extremely dense breast tissue and asked me to have a few more mammogram images done, after those were completed he said it was impossible to see anything, and told me " Youre 26, its probably nothing, but some back if you have new symptoms."

 

I have been rushed back every few months with intense itching, consistant discharge, and sharp pain in the nipple area, each time i was told "you’re 26, im sure its nothing, but do come back if you have another symptom.  Finally last month I got insanely tired, I had a 4 day fever then breakthrough bleeding (on BC), I had a “clear” ultrasound but the tech again commented on how i had so much density.  3 days later I had 4 days of bleeding from the effected nipple.  I got rushed back in and new doctor finally referred me to have a surgical consult at a breast care centre.

 

I have spent so many months being told no one will stick their neck out for me since im under 40, this upcoming appointment is exciting and terrifying at the same time. What should I expect to happen in it?

Camille

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Hi Camille,

Sorry to hear that you have been having such an anxious time. 

Our processes are slightly different in the UK, in that all the investigations are done at specialist breast clinics.

From what I understand, dense breasts are common with younger women, which means the mammogram can be harder to read. In view of this, it may be an idea to ask the surgeon about having a breast MRI scan, as this is better diagnostically in this situation & commonly happens here. 

Obviously, you need to have a definite diagnosis & not to have to go backwards & forwards any more.  

Of all the things it can be, bc is the least likely, but you need to have this confirmed. 

Hopefully, the surgeon will finally sort it out for you. 

Let us know how you get on. 

ann x