I found a small lump by my nipple on my wedding day a few weeks ago. I’m 31 and have no family history, but am still quite worried! I came off the pill about a year ago. It was really weird having a normal cycle and my boobs would get really sore and swollen in the days leading up to it. I started getting a small amount of discharge from my right nipple along with the swelling. I meant to mention it to the GP before, but always forgot and put it down to hormone levels. Of course I now wonder if this was the first sign of something more sinister.
After finding the lump, I tried really hard to put it out of my mind until after the honeymoon. I did tell my husband but really downplayed my fears. His mother died of cancer when he was young and it was so hard for him. I’m always so protective of him! I’ve been doing my best to be positive, but it’d definitely effecting my sleep and my work since we got back. It helped telling my Mum a couple of weeks ago after I saw the GP. She’s been really positive!
So, I have my appointment in the morning. I’m going on my own, but the hospital is very near to my husbands office, so if I need someone, he’ll be able to come to me.
I don’t know what to expect though. What happens at a breast clinic? What are the tests like? If they tell me I have further tests after the first x-ray, would it be best to have someone there with me? Any advice appreciated! I hate not knowing what to expect!
While you’re waiting for replies from your fellow forum users, here is a link to one of Breast Cancer Care’s publications called Referral to a Breast Clinic which I hope will be useful:
Please do also remember that BCC’s confidential helpline is here for you, offering support and information. Calls to the helpline are free, lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 2pm, telephone 0808 800 6000.
My situation was not quite the same as yours because I was recalled from my first screening mammogram and am 20 years older than you!
When I went to my appointment at the breast clinic they did a number of mammogram images, followed by a physical examination and then ultra sound to the area of concern. They then did a core biopsy. All that was done at the one appointment. They told me there and then that they thought it was breast cancer - and this was confirmed a week later by the results of the biopsy. I was at the clinic for about 2 hours. My results were phoned through to me a week later, but this varies from place to place. Some people go back to the clinic to get results and some people get them very quickly.
A lot of people say to take someone with you to appointments but for a variety of reasons I have been to all mine on my own and that hasn’t been a problem. I do prepare for them by thinking about what I might want to ask and jotting down any questions. I also take a notebook and write down what I’m told because this is not a time in your life when your memory is at its best! So, the answer to that bit of your questions is, do whatever feels right for you, but I’d advise taking a notebook.
Sorry you have all this on your mind, when you should just be enjoying married life!
I think breast clinics tend to be different in every area. I found a lump in my breast six months ago after breast feeding my baby son so went straight to my GP the next day and he referred me to the clinic. At my local one, I was seen by a consultant at my initial appointment at 9am, I then had a couple of mammograms (I’m 38 so hadn’t had them before - they were uncomfy but not sore). Unfortunately something showed up on them, so I then had an ultrasound and the doctor did a small biopsy. He said that he would have the preliminary results back within an hour and I would then see the consultant again. This really is quick service, and I don’t expect every area is the same - whereabouts are you hun? Unfortunately when I went back in to the consultant, she confirmed that I did have breast cancer. I had an op to remove the lump (called a lumpectomy) the following week, then another op to remove some lymph nodes under my arm. They were all clear (which means the cancer hadn’t spread) so I wasn’t offered chemotherapy, but had four weeks of radiotherapy. It’s been a hard few months, but these forums have been amazing, and I have made many new, good friends.
Having said all that, I really hope I haven’t scared you - you will hopefully find out that you have a cyst or a benign lump there. For many young women, that’s what happens.
As your mum knows, I wonder if you should maybe ask her to go with you, just in case there is a lot of waiting about. I took my hubby with me, and am so pleased I did - not just for the bad news at the end, but he kept me chatting while we waited through the morning.
Please let us know how you get on, and send me a private message anytime you like - I am on here a lot.
Shenagh xx
P.S. I am starting back at work part-time tomorrow, less than six months after my diagnosis which proves that even if you get bad news tomorrow, please know that you will get through this.
hi, sorry you are having to go through this, and everything crossed its nothing. From my opinion its better not to go alone, just they usually do all the tests they need to at the same sessions and then see you a bit later but the waiting round is really hard and then in some cases you get the results, if its still unclear its another biopsy and a week wait.
Really hope its nothing sinister, in lots of cases its a cyst, so hope that’s what it is and you can carry on enjoying your married life!! xxxx
Thanks for the advice. I’ve decided to take my husband with me for the whole appointment. His boss is really understanding when it comes to anything family related so won’t mind if he takes a few hours off. Can’t take my Mum with me as she lives back home in Ireland. She will be waiting for lots of updates though!
The clinic I’m going to is the one at Guy’s hospital. One of the great things about living in London is having so many great hospitals so close by! I’m hoping it’s one of the clinics that give you the results really quickly!
The lump on my breast is quite obvious so I know they’ll have no problem feeling it. I’ve read the leaflets attached to this website and found them quite helpful. I won’t be too freaked out if I have to have a needle biopsy.
I’ll be back tomorrow with and update.
Thanks so much for your support! I feel a bit strange seeking reassurances from women who are going through so much themselves when I don’t even know for sure if what I have is something to worry about or not!
Just to wish you the best of luck for tomoz; I do hope so much that all goes well for you x
Just also to say; as I know previous posts have said; but its the waiting around that does get to you, and it is always good to have someone there to chat to; perhaps if your Mum cannot make it, you have a friend that is free? - it is a lot better to have support.
I and everyone else on here will be thinking of you tomoz Luv Em xx
Big hugs for you for today. Sending so many good wishes & thoughts are with you hunny.
My first appt is next Thurs & I think I’ll be a total zombie by then & hvae lost about 1st, lol. Total wreck at the moment and know just how you feel.
I’ve had the tests before at Bupa. They carried out a physcial examination, a mammogram, an ultrasound and a fine needle aspiration (not as bad as it sounds, just like having an injection, uncomfortable but not painful). All was clear & the lump was fatty deposits which went over about months.
I was about 34 at the time, 40 now. This lump is very different & I’ve also had a discharge.
Please come on here later & tell us how you got on. I wish I could come with you hunny. Where abouts are you??
hope everything goes good for u at the docs vegaslady and u to for yr appointment pompeyfan im still waiting for mine to come through
keep strong and will b thinking of u xx
The appointment was yesterday, and I’m very relieved to report that the doctor says the lump is benign.
He figured it was either a cyst or an infection (it had gotten bigger and there was some definite redness in the last week). I had the ultrasound done and she confirmed it was an abcess. She used a needle to drain about half of it and sent samples away to the lab to be checked.
I asked the doctor what the cause of the infection might be and if it’s anything likely to reoccur. He was non-commital and said it might be a random one off infection, or it might be an issue with one of the milk ducts. I have to go back next week for some follow up and to get the rest of the results, but I’m not stressed anymore and more sure of a good outcome.
I ended up having to take the whole day off work. Appointments were running quite late and it was 3pm by the time I left with my anti-biotics. I talked to a couple of nice people and it was really eye opening hearing their stories. I’m amazed and so impressed by the resilience and positivity of some women!
My husband came with me. He would have stayed the whole day with me, but I sent him back to work after the ultra sound when it seemed clear that I wouldn’t be getting any big bad news that day.
Thank you so much for your advice and support. I was feeling so negative and afraid the day before the appointment - probably because I’d been trying very hard not to think about it for weeks and just couldn’t ignore it anymore - and it was good to know that many others had been in the same place with the same fears.
Thanks for letting us know how you got on, Maria. Glad they were able to reassure you immediately even if you have to go back for the follow up detail.