Found lump feeling very anxious

Have I got breast cancer? Breast awareness, signs and symptoms
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Hi. I’m just wondering if anyone could answer a few questions maybe? 
I found a lump 2 weeks ago started very small which has now grown in size on my left breast. I went to my Gp she referred me over to the breast clinic urgently and told me to try not worry. I’m there next week. But the worry & fear of the worst possible outcome is consuming me. Has anyone ever experienced shoulder and neck pain with a breast lump? My shoulder & neck pain has been about 4,5 weeks ongoing. I know they say (don’t Google) but I’m reading it can be accompanied by BC . Also I take levothyroxine and have read this can increase the chances for BC by 50%. I’m praying for a good outcome. But I just can’t distract myself from overthinking things. ?xxx

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Hi bexy

I’m sorry you’re caught in this cycle of fear about breast cancer. It doesn’t help to say it’s normal. But it’s normal.

Rather than investigating your symptoms (STOP IT NOW) you might as easily have focused on what it’s not because 

  1. Almost 90% of referrals to breast clinics end up as benign causes - cysts, fibroadenomas, infections etc

  2. Breast cancer is insidious. It doesn’t often flare up so quickly and obviously (which is how it’s often overlooked)

  3. Pain isn’t often associated with breast cancer. It may be referred pain, it may be an injury, it is likely to be coincidence. There are many forms of breast cancer and pain doesn’t usually feature unless of course someone is poking and prodding and can’t leave it alone (most of us have done that).

  4. The urgent referral is the norm. That’s what it’s called - urgent referral - but it refers to the NHS promise to see anyone with symptoms that might (just might) be cancer to be seen within 2 weeks. It doesn’t mean that your GP has diagnosed breast cancer and isn’t telling you.

So here you have at least 4 things to add to your overthinking. I can guarantee they won’t make much difference now you’ve done the fatal Googling but hey, we’ve all done it. Why else do we say please don’t Google!!!

One thing I would strongly recommend is to focus on building up your resilience. IF you do get a breast cancer diagnosis, you’ll need it. And if you don’t, it’s still a good investment in your coping skills. Try practising daily anything that helps you switch off from your anxiety - yoga, meditation, running, mindfulness, baking, whatever suits you. I have been using daily the free videos on YouTube by Progressive Hypnosis ever since my primary diagnosis in September 2018. The fact that it’s daily has meant that I can apply the diaphragmatic breathing in other stressful situations. Cure Anxiety is obviously a good place to start but there are so many to choose from, based on reducing stress and healing. I’m not saying for a moment that it can hypnotise you (it can’t, any more than it can cure anxiety) or heal you but the basic process of breathing differently and being able to loosen all the tension is a definite help. If you’re not keen on that, explore the Headspace or the Calm apps endorsed by the NHS. Just do something now to reduce future stress.

Wishing you all the best for a good outcome next week xx

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Hi @bexy  just had to pop on to say that I have a severely under active thyroid and was involved in a trial a few years ago (would be going off on a tangent to explain what) and during that interaction, we were told that hypothyroidism can reduce the risk of breast cancer by half.  So whatever you have been reading, it is either wrong, got it exactly the opposite way round or is scare-mongering.  So please follow the wise counsel of Jan and STOP GOOGLING!!!  As it turns out, I have had a brush with BC which just goes to prove that all of the statistics and theories in the world can not be relied upon to be meaningful to each individual.  I should add that my situation was sorted quickly and expertly and I am on some preventative tablets - everything sorted within 24 weeks. 

It is only natural to want to know more but it is impossible for you to find out more that is relevant to your situation as you don’t know what your situation is yet.  You haven’t got BC until a specialist tells you that you have BC.  In that event, you will be given all the information you need.  I am hoping for a good outcome for you too :crossed_fingers: