Hi,
I found a lump a couple of weeks ago, was referred to breast clinic where I had my appt on Tuesday. Here I was examined, had a mammogram, and went to ultrasound. Ultrasound sent me back to mammogram as they wanted some closer images of micro calcifications they had seen. I then had my ultrasound. After this I was told the lump was a solid mass and with the calcifications they were very concerned about it. I was very upset (as thought it was just going to be a cyst) and was saying I’m too young to have cancer etc etc and the nurses comforted me and just said I know it’s rubbish. They didn’t once suggest it could be anything else. They did a biopsy and gave me my appointment for results at the same time (this is on 1st October) so no we’ll contact you when results are in or anything like that just we’ll see you in 2 weeks to discuss results. After ultrasound and being told this I went back to nurse specialist who had done initial consultation and I asked could it be anything other than cancer and she just replied with ‘we’re very worried about the lump’.
I’m pretty sure this all means it is breast cancer and would imagine they can probably tell if it is from all the tests and the biopsy is just to confirm. I can’t think why else they wouldn’t say ‘it could be cancer but it could be XYZ’ instead it was just ‘we’re very concerned’. They did keep reassuring me nothing was seen in my armpit/lymph nodes.
I guess I just wanted to hear other experiences and whether this looks like it is going to be cancer.
Thank you
I was told by the consultant that they were pretty sure it was breast cancer at my initial appointment following mammogram and ultrasound. I had to wait for the biopsy results for the diagnosis to be formalised, but in my case they were correct. I think imaging etc is really refined nowadays so professionals have a good idea what they are looking at.
Waiting for results is always the worst period. The results will go to an MDT for discussion and assuming the outcome is cancer they will discuss what they think will be the best treatment plan, which will then be discussed with you at your appointment. Try not to google whilst you’re waiting, I know it’s hard, but one thing I have learned through this is that our cancer journeys are our own and our treatment plans are individual. I was diagnosed the same time as a friend with the same cancer but our treatment plans have been very different. Googling can be useful but it can also be extremely anxiety provoking, especially when you don’t know what type/grade of cancer you could be dealing with.
I am so sorry you find yourself here, it is a rubbish hand to be dealt. Just try to remember that a breast cancer diagnosis isn’t the death sentence it was once thought - treatment nowadays is excellent and has really come on leaps and bounds.
Best of luck for your appointment. In the meantime, do reach out to the breast nurses (who are fabulous) or your GP if you need support. X
So sorry you are in this position.
My consultant radiologist told me - I imagine after seeing thousands of lumps they are experienced in knowing what they all look like. I then went back to the cancer consultant and we talked about getting results etc.
He also wrote in the letter to my GP that biopsy had been done and I had been told that this would reveal cancer. My team were certain and gave me no doubt, but it did make it easier once I had the plan.
We’re all here for you whatever happens xxxx
I was recalled from a routine mammogram in July 2022 as they’d seen something suspicious. I also had a second mammo, an ultrasound and then a needle biopsy. I’d said to the radiologist that my mother had had a lump in 1977 and it turned out to be a blocked milk duct, could it be something simliar. No, she said, it’s cancer but the biopsy will determine what sort. So they do know these days. I was also sent to speak to the breast cancer nurse afterwards who was very consoling, telling me they were going to fix it, so it is understandable that you are upset by being told by your nurse they’re very worried about what they’ve seen. Totally inappropriate tone. If it is cancer, then there is a very high percentage chance that yours will be fixable too. I too was given a results appointment, two and a half weeks after the biopsy to confirm that I had an invasive ductal carcinoma that was oestrogen positive and HER2-. It sounded like gobbledygook at the time but they also gave me my treatment plan and that focuses the mind on doing positive things to get it gone. Whilst it is a shock, the vast majority of women who go through this come out the other side and get on with their lives. You say you are young, may I ask how young?
I am so sorry you’re going through this and have found yourself here. Please know that you are not alone and there is so much support for you.
I was diagnosed in May at age 38 - I found a lump and also expected it to be nothing. I was told on the day I went to the breast clinic that the lump was highly suspicious for cancer after the ultrasound and mammogram. They used a scale of 1-5 and gave it a score of 5. I asked the nurse if there was a chance the biopsy could come back clear and she said that they would be very surprised and happy if it did, but the drs are very experienced and it was unlikely to be anything other than cancer. But ultimately, only the biopsy could confirm definitively whether it was cancer. I also waited 2 weeks for results and then had it confirmed. At the results appointment they were also able to give more information from the biopsy, including the receptors in the tumour, grade etc and that all informs the treatment plan.
This waiting is the worst part. Please be kind to yourself. Stay away from Google - if you have questions, ask the breast care nurses or ask on here. This is an extremely supportive community and you can draw strength from others who have been or are going through this xxx
They said same thing to me and mine was cancer too im 33.
I know exactly how you feel about the too young part! It does suck.
I think they tell you beforehand to build you up for results day just to confirm it. I know its such a shock and it feels like your in a really big dark hole. But they will be already putting a plan in place for you, and breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. I found a lump too and decided to get it checked! Well done for going in and getting it checked out! Thats the first step now the second one is the treatment to make it go away. It really is a lot easier once you know your treatment plan and just know you are not alone in all of this… there is a lot of support out there and if you need to chat feel free to message me. Jemma 
Also its good news that your nodes are clear. I have 3 nodes that had shown up but only tested one of them and it did show cells. However even though i have node involvement they told me its treatable and curable at this stage still.x
Hi
Yes, I was the same as the other replies. Found lump, referred to breast clinic, examination, mammogram, ultrasound then back to consultant who said they thought the lump was suspicious. It was. The wait for results is to confirm the type grade etc.
It is the hardest time but there is so much support to be had and the treatment is so advanced now.
Wishing you all the best.
Hi worried1.
I had first mammogram in December 23. I went along quite happily as I had no lumps or concerns. Got recall letter in January 24. They saw a suspicious area. Had another mammogram, examined and ultrasound with 2 different doctors. The second doctor said it didnt look like cancer but as they didnt know what it was, they sent me for a biopsy. I was told two weeks later that I had tubular cancer which is seemingly quite rare. That is probably why they didnt know what it was on ultrasound. It is good they do all these tests even if they are unsure as I would have been in a much worse condition now.
Even if you get the news you dont want, there is loads of support available out there. Also, treatments are highly effective these days.
Let us know how things are x
Hi @worried1
So sorry to find you on here - and obviously everything we have all said may be adding to your stress nobody can tell you for sure what it is / isn’t except the professionals at your appointment and believe me that is the very worst thing - not knowing and waiting for some stranger to tell you .
Yes my experience was similar to that of the others . During the tests other women were leaving with relieved smiles on their faces and I was still there so I had an inkling of what the BCN was going to say when I went back in. She did say there was a faint possibility that it could be one the many rare benign breast conditions and that if it turned out to be that then she was apologizing in advance but that they thought it was a tiny cancer . She used the same sort of language that you heard she described my lump as being worrying in appearance.
I would suggest you get a pen and paper and write down questions to ask them at your appointment . Researching at this point might be overkill and scare you more - someone on here once said you haven’t got cancer until a medical professional tells you so . If you are going to research use only official sites like this one - Google is not your friend right now . Try to keep busy and take a day at a time and find something in that day that gives you some joy that you can hold onto until the next day .I kept reminding myself that I was the same person as I had been before my appointment . I did end up going off sick from work as I made the mistake of telling a couple of people that I had been called for second screening thinking this would make me feel less anxious but it didn’t then when I was told it was almost definitely cancer I couldn’t face them asking me about it .
I would suggest you speak to a very close friend that you know will support you but that you can trust not to tell everyone else . I found that there were several ladies I knew who had recovered from breast cancer - one of them 20 years or so previously and it helped a little to know that . It isn’t something that is talked about much unreal life which is why this forum is so helpful .
Please know that you aren’t alone . Sending love 
xx
The simple fact is that they’re going to be way more right than wrong simply because of their experience. They see these things all the time and get a feel for what is cancer and what is benign. But do they know definitively before the biopsy? No. Could they be wrong? Well sure. Hopefully you’ll be one of the ones they were wrong about. But if not, we’re here and you’ve got plenty of support.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I was utterly convinced it would be a cyst when I was referred (I’m only 43) and was just reeling. In a way it’s good as I’m preparing for worst case scenario so if it turns out ok that will be a happy surprise!
Well when I said young I meant young to get breast cancer (according to all the stuff online). I’m 43 x
Thank you everyone for your supportive comments and kind words. Like some of you have said, I was fast tracked past other women waiting for the tests which first made me think I’m not sure this is good, then the second mammogram and then the way they told me that it was a solid mass with micro calcifications in breast and they were very concerned just made me think ‘they know!’.
The worst part was I was so convinced all would be well I’d gone on my own which turned out to be a massive mistake. I know I can’t really do anything until I know for sure and what it is I’m facing. I was very emotional Tuesday and Wednesday but now feel weirdly detached from it all.
I’m glad. Hold onto the weirdly detached feeling. It can get you through the waiting which can be the worst thing of all of this.
I went in thinking the worst to be honest, I just knew the lump wasn’t the same as previous cysts I had had. I was 46 when I was diagnosed in April this year. Even though I kind of expected it, I started to shake from head to toe when the radiographer said biopsy, the nurse had to practically hold me down to get the needle in!
Totally understand the detachment too. I honestly don’t think I have processed any of this yet. Once the appointments start it’s like you’re on this conveyer belt and you’re just focusing on the next step. Tends to make time fly by though which is a good thing! Xx
Hi there,
I’m worried too - been through very similar ordeal myself this week so can empathise with you totally.
I was recalled after screening mammogram, had 2nd mammogram and by the time I got my ultrasound I could definitely ‘read the room’…the mood was so serious. They found a lump (2cm) said it looked ‘sinister’ and they were ‘very worried’. I asked was it cancer and the consultant said ‘yes or very possibly pre cancerous’. don’t think she thinks it’s pre cancerous at all. She took 3 biopsies…as I was getting dressed I thought my legs were going to buckle.
I was also told, like you, it wasn’t in the armpit. I was told I needed an MRI. I go to my MTD meeting on Wednesday.
All I can say is I totally understand what you are going through. You are not You are in my thoughts xx
Hello
I am about a week or two ahead of you. I was told at my initial appointment it is cancer. She said “I am looking at cancer and if thats not cancer I will want to do more tests to see why it looks and feels like cancer.” When asked if there was any chance she could be wrong she said “ not really, maybe once in a year”.
A week later my biopsy proved her right snd i have a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Er+ and Pr+ (8/8 for both)
HER2-. 2.4cm and stage 2. Size 36DD boobs. I think boob size matters a lot when it comes to size of tumour and treatment options.
Lumpectomy planned for 04/10. HRT stopped immediately and merina coil being removed on 02/10!
Menopause symptoms have already arrived and I will be having radiotherapy and endocrin therapy. Basically hormone blockers for 5 years. I hear they have yucky side effects like menopause on steroids.
The waiting is torture. Crazy but i felt so much better knowing. I told the important people after that first appointment to take away that strain and relieve some stress.
Now life carries on like there is nothing wrong with me until all my appointments begin on 02/10.
Anything could happen but my attitude is that I am here today so don’t ruin it. I still can’t believe I actually have cancer. Like “who, me?, nah”. When people say on here you go through breast cancer I get it. It is a total process, a journey. Appointments, tests, results, all with a good dollop of excruciating waiting in between. I told my brain to shut up thinking about it. Actually said it out loud like i was talking to someone else. It has worked quite a-lot. Im eating and sleeping and just getting on. I do think about it but not in a painful all consuming way. We were even joking yesterday i could have a blue boob (part of the op) for 5 months.
I am still beautiful me and not a walking breast cancer. You are still beautiful you. Good luck with it all. Xxx
Thank you so much for all these replies, it’s helping me so much.
I’m doing ok - have told a few friends who knew I was going to get lump checked, husband and my parents but not the children or anyone else yet. I definitely couldn’t have gone through this waiting time on my own! Almost a week done and just one more to go!
All the very best to you!
Certainly I was told after a scan and 3D mammogram that my small lump was a concern and would have to be removed. Other treatment would depend on the results of the biopsy which was about to be done. The biopsy revealed that it was Grade 3, high proliferation potential, receptive to oestrogen and progestogen but herceptin neutral so surgery was first.
I have had a lot of treatment since as the first surgery confirmed the biopsy results as well as showing spread to two sentinel lymph nodes. The cancer was removed however with clear margins of healthy tissue.
I found going for the PET CT staging scan which followed quite daunting, but was fortunate that it showed that I had primary breast cancer, with no detectable spread to other parts of my body.
I have accepted all the treatment offered to me as part of curative treatment for an aggressive cancer as I’ve been fit enough to have it and would find it difficult to deal with if the cancer returned when I had refused any of it.
I’ve been able to feel confident with my treatment and satisfied with the explanations of the reason for and aims of each one.
I have certainly learned a lot in the past 20 months!