Breast hardness and pain, pain in elbow and tingly fingers...could it be all in my head?

Good afternoon,

 

I am 30 and went to the doctor’s on Monday as I found a hard area, like a convex disc in the upper outer quadrant of my breast and have had pain and discomfort for a few months now. He examined me lying down and could not find anything. I was so relieved and thought it must all be in my head. Nonetheless, when we discussed my family history (mum had two bouts of breast cancer and sister one, both before 50) he referred me to the breast clinic. I am so glad that he did as when I got home I realised that this firm area is only palpable when I am sitting up and disappears when I lay down. Moreover, the dull pain and discomfort is getting worse and has spread somehow to my elbow and hand. My husband can feel the difference between the two breasts, but it is not at all how either of us imagined a breast lump would be, a sort of firm raised round area rather than a spherical or oval lump.

 

I am totally fraught, worrying that it is BC as we have such bad family history and, at the same time, I am also concerned that it might somehow all be in my head because of our family history, although I have no history of mental illness.

 

I have an appointment at the Breast Clinic on Wednesday, but it feels like an age away. I guess I am looking for support and any advice on whether such things can be imagined…

 

 

 

 

Hi Bcam,

No, it’s not in your head at all, any breast change should be properly checked out & although the anxiety is horrible, thankfully you’ve done all you can to get it dealt with. 

Obviously, you will be more anxious in view of your family history, however, mostly it turns out Not to be bc. 

As ever, waiting is so hard as the mind does go into overdrive, but it can help to carry on as normal & keep yourself distracted & avoid the temptation to generally google as it usually only makes anxiety worse…

Do let us know how you get on 

ann x