I found a lump in my breast but when I went to my GP she couldn’t find it and I couldn’t find it either to show her. As soon as I left the surgery (and every day since!) I have found it easily. This has happened twice now (I had to return to the GP after my period). Has this happened to anyone else?
My GP has referred me but to check out some general lumpiness so the referral is not urgent. But I am so worried. The lump I found is definitely new, is definitely still there and is different to the other lumpyness in my breast. But I am afraid to go back to the GP in case I can’t find it again.
Hi Jumper,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums. I have put for you below a link to one of BCC’s publications which I hope will help you. If you would like to talk to someone in confidence, then please do call the helpline, the staff here will be only too happy to talk to you about your concerns. Calls to the helpline are free, 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm.
Your breasts your health:
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/40
Hope this helps. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi jumper, I don’t want to frighten you at all…but two years ago I found a lump…just between my rib cage and my breast. It would get a bit swollen during my period, then go back to it’s normal size afterwards.
I could find it easily…but the Doctor couldn’t find it…she sent me to get it checked anyway.
Specialist at hospital couldn’t find it…and it didn’t show up on mammogram.
I was sent home. “there’s nothing there”.
I was so stupid, this lump, irritated me for a long time !
But hey…I’d had it checked…and it was “ok” !
Three weeks ago I was at the doctors for a completely different ailment…and decided to mention the lump again.
Was sent back to hospital…only to find out last Thursday it’s Breast Cancer.
My advice to you is…if it doesn’t feel right to YOU…get a second opinion.
Keep pestering them.
Im bitter and twisted that they didn’t listen to me first time around.
Best of luck
Woodlark xx
Hi Woodlark,
Thank you so much for your reply. Its really appreciated.
But I was so sorry to hear your story. Thank goodness you thought to mention it again.
I’m going back to see a different doctor tomorrow to see if I can find the lump this time and get an urgent referral. I’m relieved I’m not the only person who ‘loses’ their lump! I showed my husband last night as I was worried I was imagining it but he assured me I wasn’t. It’s quite large so it is strange not to find it.
Anyway, thanks again. And best wishes for your treatment. Jx
Hi Jumper
I had a similar experience, my lump was very difficult to find but I did have a strange dent on my breast and my GP sent me away the first time I saw her saying it was nothing. I went back 2 months later as it was still there and was given a non-urgent referral “for peace of mind”.
The rest is history really. Turns out it was a 3.5cm tumour in there, but it was long and thin and very deep inside so was difficult to feel.
Not saying yours will be, I was unlucky - the odds are HUGELY in your favour that it’s nothing of concern, but if you feel it’s not right for your body then do push to be referred just to be on the safe side.
Best of luck and let us know how you get on.
Gennie x
Hi,
I went back to the doctors yesterday and managed to find the lump - thank goodness. (The doctor thinks it is normal breast tissue, which has given me some reassurance, but I obviously won’t know more certainly until proper tests have been carried out.
She was reluctant to refer me more urgently to the hospital as an appointment for me has just come through for 4 weeks time. But I managed to persuade her and am hoping for an appointment in about 2 - 3 weeks time.
Thanks Woodlark and Gennie for your messages. They really helped me. I don’t think I would have had the confidence to insist on an urgent referral without your support.
Best wishes, Jx