Hi worried1
So sorry you’ve found yourself here. At my initial consultation when I went to get a lump checked out, my consultant told me it was cancer. He also said that breast cancer was one of the most treatable cancers. That was enough for me. I was able to put it out of my mind and went to a family party that evening. I am a positive person so I just told myself it wasn’t worth thinking the worst and becoming stressed and anxious as that would have a detrimental effect. It turned out to be high grade dcis, grade 2, HER2+. The thing we all need to remember is that whatever the prognosis is, we will get the best treatment. We have access to lovely breast cancer nurses, doctors etc. You will be given all the information you need at your appointment. One of my sons came with me to the results appointment and he recorded everything on his mobile phone so that we could replay it later in case there were any questions that we forgot to ask. Try to take one day at a time and if possible keep your mind busy. I’m retired and live on my own so don’t have anyone to talk to but I read novels a lot and that helped to keep my mind off it. I also found a Facebook group and through them have met local women going / or been through bc. We meet for coffee/lunch and wellness walks and chats which has helped tremendously. Good luck with your treatment plan. I’m always happy to talk privately if it helps 
Hi @worried1 - I had a very similar experience to you at diagnosis stage - calcifications / “very worried” - back and forth between ultrasound to mammogram and then back again. I was given the words “suspicious, concerning and very worried” basically on repeat from the scans onwards but I still had this unwavering belief in my head that it could be something else other than cancer - I was 39 at diagnosis with no family history so pretty much certain that it couldn’t happen to me. I do think the media has a lot of blame when it comes to the perception that breast cancer is 50+. I think it’s so difficult when they don’t know for certain like that as for me, personally I’d have much rather known there and then - as it happens I spent that next period convincing myself I was being positive by telling myself it was anything other than cancer - it was / is cancer!
Looking at the positives, as others have said the treatment pathways are so advanced now & it’s certainly one of the better funded cancers. I wish you all the best and hope it’s a benign breast condition, but if it isn’t rest assured there is so much support available - both in person and online. You got this 
Hi @worried1
Sometimes mammogram is inconclusive and the result comes in biopsy, sometimes after lumpectomy can get worse - that’s my story. And remember everyone’s story is different! I guess all scenarios are possible. I could feel nothing, went for standard mammogram and then had more mammograms and US as there were suspicious micro calcifications (depending on the pattern certain % returns as ca; macro calcifications are normal part of ageing). Biopsy revealed small DCIS grade 3, HER2 was borderline so they had to do FISH test. It was scary enough and waiting for the results was the worst part of it.
Had op 03/07 with clear margins. Unfortunately not only in final histopathology DCIS was 3x bigger but there was also invasive ductal carcinoma ( grade 2, ER+, PR-) . It was a shock, I remember cursing at that appt so much, I went into a rabbit hole. Another op to check the nodes 14/08 Fortunately nodes clear and FISH test HER2 negative. So staying with radiotherapy and drug for 5 years. Part of me still in denial, part angry, part action oriented.
So I feel for you and I wish you to be on the good side of statistics, when it’s something benign.
In any case there is lots of help, NHS saves your life, anything extra I am relying on charities ( Future Dreams and Maggie’s) that have lots of sessions and workshops on how to cope with things. Also menopause and Cancer podcast by Dani Billington.
Request psychotherapy straight away in case it turns out to be ca. Waiting lists are super long so I hope to get mine 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Starting on private this week. Still have good and bad days and dreading side effects. But now I am all action… Mostly vegan food, dairy free, researching, moving my body. Now it’s all about giving myself best chance….
All I can say waiting is the worst part, as everyone here will second, so find ways to distract yourself or get physically tired so you can sleep while waiting for results.
Treatment plan and action gives you back a bit of sense of control. It’s a rollercoaster. Good days and anxiety days. And to be honest breast ca is an epidemic. Once I started talking about it to people, everyone knows around 2 people affected. It’s not just because of screening and early detection, the food we eat, the stress we live in …
Anyway I wish you a lucky escape!!! 
Ania
Thinking of you and always here if you ever needed a chat, regardless of results
Your experience sounds pretty much the same as mine. When I first found the lump and due to my age I kept being told it was a cyst, but was sent to the breast clinic to be sure. First step was an ultrasound which ruled out whether it was a cyst or not. Then mammogram, biopsy and then a second mammogram once they put the marker in. At no point was I told why they were doing this, but I kind of knew because what else would they be testing for. Then two weeks later I was hit with the “you have breast cancer”. Oddly enough once I knew it was less of a stress in a way as I had a plan of action.
But I also had it actually go the other way…following the above I had further scans etc which picked up another lump in my other breast. So, same lot of tests again, just on the other side. But this one did in fact come back benign, so yay no cancer on that side!
Hi
I am really sorry that you are going through the start of this horrible journey.
I am older than you, but can only agree with others who have already replied. This is the most scary time when you are waiting for confirmation of diagnosis.
I was referred to my local hospital after a mammogram and referal from my GP, when I went to my initial appointment I had an ultrasound and another mammogram, then back to the surgeon who said at that time she would be very surprised if it was not cancer, but said “this is treatable and doable” I latched onto that, and 2 weeks later it was confirmed. In answer to your question yes I do believe they know before the biopsy results through experience.
If yours is confirmed they will have discussed the best treatment plan for you and the way forward and it will be designed especially for you, there are so many types of breast cancer and different treatments.
For me it was chemotherapy 1st then surgery then radiotherapy. At this stage I did feel better especially once I actually started treatment, I felt I was dealing with the situation. I would agree that its best not to google anything as this could add to anxiety. You should be assigned a breast care sister and I did question why chemotherapy 1st for me and was told my type of cancer respond well to chemotherapy 1st, this was the case for me.
My advice is to take someone with you when you get the results, lots of information to take in and you will be emotional.
I won’t say that your journey and treatments will be easy, but know that you are not alone, you have your health professionals, family and friends on your side. This forum is also there for you too.
For me I am now at the end of treatments and cancer free, and trying to move forwards there is life after a cancer diagnosis to look forward too.
I wish you all the best and send a big virtual hug. Xx
Thank you everyone. You have all taken the time to write detailed and kind messages so thank you.
Just 3 days to go until I find out. I had been managing quite well with the waiting (I’m a teacher so have just been so busy at work I haven’t had the time to think about it!) but I’ve turned into an anxiety ball this weekend. I keep switching between it could be benign (I’ve Googled so many benign lumps and trying to match it to my experience - ridículous I know!) and they’ve made a mistake but then suddenly remember how they were and things they said and think no it’s cancer. I feel like this wait is going to be worse than anything they tell me!
My cancer was confirmed on Wednesday, also IDC estrogen and progesterone positive 8/8, stage 1.
It was a very surreal process, but I am feeling loads calmer now and was able to tell my children in a reassuring way. They were shocked and worried of course, but seem to have processed it well which is a relief. I have an MRI on Monday to double check both breasts because they are very dense. Weirdly I am not stressing too much about this…my gut tells me it will be fine, so fingers crossed.
I started on sertraline last week to help with anxiety having to go cold turkey stopping HRT….i LOVED HRT, made me feel so much better…very sad to say goodbye to that. I am on a ridiculously healthy diet now (no alcohol, sugar, diary or processed foods) which amazingly has been much easier than I thought, so hopefully that will have some impact on the dreaded menopause symptoms. Will deal with the 5years of hormone blockers when I get there (really looking forward to that!)
Good luck Square-boob with your surgery, let me know how you get on. My turn soon after I hope x
We have all done it but please stop googling - it always makes you feel worse . Try to treat the rest of your weekend as a day off from all this. No possibility of appointments phone calls tests or updates . Try to do something nice - if you can get outside before it starts raining again . You are right though the waiting is awful .xx
Joanne,
Excellent advice about GOOGLE can send you crazy with worry
Hugs Tili 
Hi all, so I had my appt yesterday and as expected it is breast cancer (I knew they knew!). That news wasn’t a massive surprise as I had kind of processed that bit but was told I am going to need a mastectomy, 4 months of chemo and then radiotherapy. For some naive reason I thought I might just be told to have a lumpectomy and a bit of radiotherapy so that was an unpleasant surprise. They want to do a stereo biopsy (I think that’s what she said?) on the microcalcifications they had seen as they do think they are likely cancerous too and that hugely extends the affected area. Was told they think it’s also in my nipple so I will lose everything when they operate. Have to have mri and the extra biopsy in next week or so, then back to consultant and then they hope to operate early November. I’m reeling a bit - the realities of what I’m facing and how this might impact myself, my family and my job are pretty big. I know there is so much support on here and I thank all of you for helping with the first stage of what looks like a long and tough journey xx
@worried1 Im sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with Breast cancer.Like yourself they told me at screening they thought it was cancer.Yet like yourself I was not prepared for the next stage the treatment plan.All I can say is ,your thoughts will be all over the place for a bit,give yourself some time to process.I know it will feel like a whirlwind with appts etc before your surgery.If you have a local Maggies centre you can access I would suggest this.They are amazing and will be able to speak with you about what is going to happen.Macmillian are amazing in regards to money advice IE benefits work etc.I really am sending you a big cwtch xx
Hi, sorry you got the news you didnt want. Things are moving quickly which is great. Not too long until treatment starts. I am sure you will be fine. We are all here for you. As already mentioned, there is Macmillans, Maggies and your treatment team for support and guidance. Best of luck with everything. Keep us updated how you are x
Also sorry that it’s what you didn’t want to hear but just to echo what the others have said , things are moving now and you aren’t in limbo anymore . The advice about Maggie’s and MacMillan is also what I would have said . Hope everything goes as well as possible and sending love. Xx
I’m so sorry, Worried. Cancer is never what you want to hear but you’ve got plenty of company with this one. Breast cancer is scarily common. But that also means we have great treatments. If you have any questions about your biopsy report or just need to vent, we’re here.
Hi, I’m so sorry that you’ve had that news. You end in up in a state of shock with a whirlwind of appointments that you can’t even process it all. I still don’t think I have yet.
I found a lump in January in the bottom right of my left breast. I’d had a mammogram the previous October (I’m only 44 but have family history) and it wasn’t picked up. An area of calcification was though, behind my nipple, they decided to leave it and I never knew about it. When I went about the lump and found out it was breast cancer, they wanted to do a second biopsy, a stereo biopsy behind my nipple to see if it was cancerous also. They ended up taking it out when I had the lump removed and was told I might lose my nipple. It didn’t end up being cancer and I didn’t lose my nipple. Hopefully your area of calcification will be the same.
I hope you’re doing ok, the best you possibly can do. Take it one day at time and we’re all here if you ever need to talk about it. Xx
One day at a time is the best advice I have heard and can pass on. I am accepting I have little control over this right now. Its here and I have some stuff to do. Lumpectomy on Friday.
I can’t control what the results of that will be so I can only think of today with an eye on the future. I bought myself a post op bra from M&S today. Thats me taking care of the future.
Im sorry for your treatment news. None of its nice but I am taking solace in the fact there are treatments and it’s been acted on quickly.
Best of luck x
Hi,
Just wanted to say all the best for tomorrow 
. You seem to be starting a similar journey to the one im on. My surgery was 02/08. It does get really real once the treatments start but its actually better than the waiting! You kinda get used to the blue nipple thing and it doesntnstay as vibrant as it is in the first couple of days lol xx
The waiting is the worst part. Once you know one way or the other you can start to get your head around things and find some peace. Wishing u all the best xx
Thank you for thinking of me xx