Hi everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my post.
I found a hard lump adjacent to my left nipple last week and have been referred to the breast clinic, appointment is in 9 days. The GP wasn’t able to give any advice on what the lump might be, and I totally understand that. The notes say hard lump 2 - 3cm; hard but not tethered.
My question, while I chew my nails and endlessly Google, is how likely is a fibroadenoma (for the first time as far as I know) at 48? I haven’t started menopause yet (as far as I know, no symptoms apart from the usual mid-life anxiety lol) and still have fairly regular periods.
Anyone with experience of a fibro around my age, or any general experience of a fibro much appreciated.
Thanks All.
I think it’s just so difficult to say what a lump could be until the docs have done their tests.
I’m sure there will be many women who have never had a fibroadenoma until in their 40s and others who had it earlier, but you have absolutely done the right thing in getting it checked out straight away.
My GP felt my lump and wrote in my notes that it was 6cm (I’m so glad I didn’t spot that until months later or I would have been terrified), it was still 3cm.
When I first saw the consultant I was convinced it was cancer (it was) but he said until they had done the scans and tests there was no way of knowing for certain, he even suggested a cyst which I thought I was too young for.
The breast cancer now nurses are always great to chat through any concerns and will be available tomorrow, I found them so helpful.
Fingers crossed all is good with you xx
Thank you for taking the time to reply and I’m sorry that yours turned out to be cancer.
I know you’re right, there’s no way of telling until the tests have been done. It’s just the waiting that kills you isn’t it!
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It is awful waiting. In some ways we were lucky as my husband had work private healthcare for us all so I just waited two days from finding lump (always on a Friday night!) until GP on Monday and consultant on Wednesday, and even that seemed horrendous.
However, I do know most lumps turn out to be non cancerous so fingers crossed you’re all good xx
Hi, sorry no experience with fibro as yet for me but thought I would reply as I’m also 48, with regular periods and found a lump in my upper left breast, saw GP next day and was noted as 2 x 3cm in size, slightly hard and moveable but I think it now feels like it has firmed up a little.
I went for my breast clinic referral almost two weeks ago and managed to get a cancellation so was bought forward. I had the mammo, ultrasound and then a biopsy and was advised by consultant it looked suspicious but I couldn’t find out anymore than that.
The waiting is making me so anxious 
and haven’t stopped googling and researching.
Thank you for responding and so sorry you’re going through this. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine! From what I’ve read they’ll always do a biopsy at our age even if fibro is suspected.
Hopefully you should get your results v soon if it’s been 2 weeks. Hope things turn out ok for you, let me know how you get on 
Agree that the waiting is torture!
Thanks and fingers crossed for a good outcome. Your right about the age being a reason for biopsy. They did find a cyst in right breast during ultrasound and didnt need to biopsy that.
The nurse there said 2 to 3 week wait and the consultant said 5 to 6 which I hope it isnt. Theres a backlog but I’d say thia varies depending on area, Im Midlands based.
Sorry your going through this too x
Hi @springer77, I’m so sorry that you have found a lump and are now waiting and worrying.
I’m 44 and a complex fibroadenoma was picked up. The hospital don’t seem to be worried about it all which is good.
I went after discovering a lump, my GP then found another one and the consultant another one. It turned out that the original lump I felt was a smaller cyst next to a bigger cyst which was next to this complex fibroadenoma. All came back benign.
Hopefully it is a fibroadenoma or even a cyst. The waiting and not knowing is the worst. I’ve been a bag of nerves. My GP never commented on what he thought and just referred me. They won’t know until they do the ultrasound, mammogram and ultimately biopsy.
Sending you a big hug and lots of luck for your appointment 
Thank you for your reply, this is reassuring and I’m so glad all turned out well for you.
Hello, I hope you are doing ok. Unfortunately I was diagnosed on Wednesday with Triple Negative Breast Cancer which was a shock, but deep down I knew there was a chance because I was advised it looked suspicious at the initial clinic appointment.
Luckily was told it’s 100% treatable with no spread to the Axilary nodes and is grade 3 (not to be confused with stage) and is in the early stages.
Fingers crossed for you I know the waiting is frustrating. x
Hi Misty,
I’m so sorry to hear this, I was wondering if you’d heard. It sounds positive in that it’s treatable and no spread to lymph nodes. And it probably feels better to know and have a plan in place?
I had my one stop breast clinic appointment on Wednesday and it’s also not such good news. My lump was scored M5 and U5 and they’re pretty certain, they just need the biopsy results to confirm and make a plan based on type etc. They did say that they couldn’t detect any spread to lymph nodes thankfully.
Sending positive healing vibes xx
Hi Springer
Am sorry to hear your scans had indicated malignancy, I think it helps to have an idea rather than not knowing anything whilst waiting for results and it is reassuring to know that they didn’t detect any spread on the ultrasound.
I definitely feel like I have had a release of some of the anxiety now that I know the prognosis and will know more at my oncology meeting on Tuesday.
It certainly left me shell shocked hearing the diagnosis but had a strong suspicion when the breast clinic nurse was also present at the appointment and asked who my partner was.
Let me know how your follow up appt goes and wishing you all the luck in the world. Xx
Hi Misty
I hope you’re doing OK, you’re a couple of weeks ahead of me on your journey so it would be lovely to keep in touch.
I was given a post-biopsy diagnosis of grade 2 IDC yesterday which didn’t come as a shock as I was expecting it and I’m lucky that it’s slow growing. I’ll need an MRI and am still waiting for the hormone information in order to determine treatment.
I have a holiday abroad booked for 28th June for a week and am determined to travel! Doctor has said it should be fine, treatment can start when I get back at Barts London.
Sending best wishes x
Hi Springer77
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it sounds positive with it being slow growing and grade 2.
I don’t blame you for sticking with your holiday plans, we are doing the same in a couple of weeks as long as I feel ok once chemo begins on 18th June and I’ll have a week between treatments for 4 cycles then changes to three weekly cycles which includes immunotherapy.
I was pretty anxious about telling family but luckily it all went better than I thought, have you told others yet?
I had my clip inserted last week with ultrasound which was fine, but the imaging on the screen looked clearer this time, like an upside down teardrop with the jagged edges on it’s tail.
When I was researching it whilst waiting for the biopsy I read that malignant tumours are often taller than wide which is the case with me but I couldn’t work out from feeling the lump, where the bottom edge was as it seemed to dissapear into the breast tissue and then I wondered if the area below the circular top part of the lump was swelling. My mind was going into overdrive during the waiting period.
So will you have hormone therapy rather than chemo or have they not said?
I’ve got so many appointments to go to and will be having a pic line which is a good thing (I think) as it means I won’t have to keep having injections and canulas for blood tests and treatment.
Speak soon
Misty x 
Hi Misty,
So glad you’ll get to enjoy a holiday too, are you going anywhere nice?
I hope the chemo isn’t too bad for you and sorry that you have to have it. My best friend has just been through 18 weeks and her side effects weren’t too bad. She cold capped and kept her hair.
Do you think the tumour has grown since your last scans?
I’m not sure what treatment I’ll have yet as they still haven’t determined the hormone type. I should hear in the next week or so, along with MRI.
I’ve been worrying about my holiday as it’s an 11 hour flight and I’ve had a previous DVT. I read that malignancy can thicken the blood so I need to call the BCN tomorrow to see if they recommend blood thinners.
My family have been great but my 16 year old has taken it hard, we only told him a couple of days ago.
Sending positive vibes xx
Hi Springer77
I’m not doing too bad thanks considering, how about you? It still feels very surreal, it’s as if I know it’s there and I get on with normal daily life but then all of a sudden reality hits me andkinda takes my breath away.
Fingers crossed for your flight am sure everything will be fine and you will probably receive good advice from the BCN.
Sorry your son has taken it hard, am sure with time it will get easier, it must be scary to hear, especially as a youngster.
We was going to go to Cornwall but have decided to go somewhere a little closer for the 3 day break and then look at Cornwall for Sept. Where are you off to nice?
I think the tumour may have slightly grown but hard to tell for sure at the moment because the clip insertion has caused a bit of swelling although there does seem to be some puckering above the nipple where the tail of the lump is. Also, at the initial clinic U/S, it measured 24mm but turned out to be 29mm Does yours seem any different?
Misty x
Hi Misty,
I feel exactly the same. I’m very practical about it all and optimistic but I get moments when the reality of it feels surreal. And other people’s reactions makes it hit home, everyone seems to be shocked / upset / taking it more seriously than me! Maybe I’m in denial lol.
I found out I’m covered on my work travel insurance (I work in the travel industry) which is a great relief. BCN just said no extra precautions needed, just whatever I would usually do for history of DVT so that’s good too. We’re going to the Maldives. Sounds fancy I know but I go a lot as a perk of the job! Any break is nice though, just good to get away before the hard part starts.
I don’t think mine seems different but the nipple has changed a bit, it’s stretched over it slightly.
When is your next appointment? I have MRI scan today xx
Hi Springer
That’s great about insurance and no other special meds needed other than what you normally take.
Maldives sounds lovely and how nice being able to do that as a work benefit, definitely need something to look forward to and can’t beat some time away.
How did the MRI go? was it a contrast MRI? I had that one, I’ve only ever had MRI of my back so was quite strange laying face down, the results should be through soon as was advised about 2 weeks although I doubt they would inform me about it until next oncology appointment if all looks fine. Fingers crossed for yours?
Any news on the treatment plan yet?
I had my pic line pre-assessment today which was bloods and then going through the treatment plan again, there was an quite a lot of information to take in such as possible side effects and who to contact if any problems, I’ll no doubt sleep tonight lol.
Next appointment for me is Tues which is to have the PIC line inserted and then Weds it’s chemo day 
.
Have you any more appointments set up?
Speak soon
Misty xx
Hi Misty,
MRI was OK, definitely not my favourite thing but it went quite quickly. I had the contrast too and also first time I’ve had it face down (I had a face up one a few years ago, nothing serious). It feels very restrictive and odd doesn’t it. I expect to get the results along with my hormone results and then treatment plan based on those two things.
Have you heard any more since your last message? Hope you managed to sleep the other night after all of that information. Did they say anything about pic line and DVT?
Good luck for Tues and Weds. It seems to be starting very quickly for you but that’s definitely a good thing. Let me know how it goes.
Hope you can enjoy the sunny weekend in the meantime.
xx
Hi Springer
Hope your having a good weekend, well as good as can be. It’s difficult not to constantly think about the current situation but it’s also nice when it disppears from my mind for a bit, then reality hits me out the blue.
Yes the MRI was a bit odd with the way your arms out in front, I had the red marks around my face after from leaning on the head rest lol.
There wasn’t too much said about the PIC line, was mostly about the chemo and immuno and that it can cause a whole host of side effects.
I had the diagnosis letter yesturday from the hospital which was very detailed which is good as sometimes you forget things.
Will let you know how it goes Tues/Weds thanks and then it’s the big day 
How’s your son now?
Misty xx