Hi I dont know if anyone can give me more information/out my mind at ease but I’m getting really anxious.
I’m 26 Female- no BC history in my family. On wednesday I saw my GP who confirmed the lump which to me feels small hard and round.
My GP said “I’m pretty confident its a fibroadenoma. 5-10 years ago I would have sent you home confident in my diagnosis and that would be the end of the matter…however due to declining confidence in GPs its now necessary to have everything of this nature triple assesed” He said he would refer me for an urgent appointment at the Breast clinic (urgent to prevent the undue stress that would come from waiting 1-2 months for a routine appointment)I’m still awaiting a letter from the hospital so not sure as yet exactly when my appointment will be- everything the GP said should have made me relaxed but the waiting is making me anxious- I’m getting married in September and intend to start a family straight away and now I feel like there could be a question mark over my future.
I’m also uncertain as to what actually happens at the hospital/length of wait for results etc I cant bear the waiting its driving me insane!
Sorry for the ramblings any advice/reassurance/info greatly received!
I think its worrying for anyone as soon as the Doctor mentions tests! it starts to conjure up all sorts of feelings and concerns so you are not on your own.
My understanding is that the majority of clinics/hospital automatically do whats called the triple test when you are referred - mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy - which is what I had when I was referred 6 weeks ago. Its important to keep in your mind the comments your doctor made about thinking it was a Fibroadenoma - most lumps etc turn out to be benign thankfully! Its also good you have a gp who understands your concerns over a longer wait and it getting you a quicker appointment . the waiting can be the worst part - because we just want to hear the good news - or at least be able to plan and deal with it if its bad news.
With your history, age and doctors comments the chances are very high that this will be what he/she thinks it is…but its always reassuring to get the all clear officially!
As far as the results go its dependent on where you go - some clinics have a same day results facility others you have to wait 1 day - 2 weeks … you will be better asking if you can so you feel settled with what to expect.
I found the forum to be a brilliant support during the waiting time, and you should feel free to post as much as you want during that time … everyone will have been through similar experiences and completely understand where you are coming from.
Take care of yourself and fingers crossed it will all be ok for you!
Sue xx
Thanks Sue- I also posted this in another section but (hopefully) more suited to here! both yourself and another lady (Caz) have made me feel much better and I feel like I’ve got a little more perspective just like everyone else seems to be saying its the waiting thats hard- having no control and being in limbo.
sorry for rambling on I’m getting married soon (Sept) and planning to start a family straight away and I feel like I cant carry on planning til this is cleared up.
thanks for your kind words I just need to be positive and not go mad waiting
Hi Michelle, the waiting is the thing that drives you bonkers, whether waiting for tests or the dreaded results but rest assured once you are in the system things usually move so fast your head will spin. Fingers crossed for you for good news, I would say don’t go too mad reading up too much in advance as you don’t yet know what road you will be on or maybe you will take the nice detour…
It varies as to where you are as to just how quick things move,after my one stop clinic where my needle biopsies were inconclusive I only had to wait 48hours for my core biopsy results then it was a month later that I had surgery and am now 7 weeks post op and fine and dandy,well today I am ! I still find it all very surreal but you are in the right place for info and help and support. Good luck.
I’m trying to relax and unwind and not think about it! Common sense keeps telling me that my GP wouldnt have been so adament if he wasnt as sure as he could be in his (what he told me) 20 year experiance -and whilst important to triple check- I have to appreciate his experiance and reassurance (he’s not my usual GP as emergency appointment but he seemed incredibly thorough and explained in depth to me how Fibroadenomas are formed and come about and how this is reflected in my finding)- he did say “I hope I’ve reassured you so you wont be panicking” lol- easy for him to say- but is that an auto pilot thing to say or did he actually mean it??
I’m a real worrier at the best of times and very prone to black and white or thinking and catastrophising everything which doesnt help! Realise I keep going round in circles reassuring myself then panicking- distraction techniques are required!!
Sorry to hear you are going through such a rough time.The waiting game is truly awful- it was only this site that helped me through it.
There is no crystal ball with this. It is hard, but try to go with your doctor’s gut feeling for now.My doctor was quite pessimistic when he felt my lump and this worried me terribly. But he was right to be so- my lump turned out to be very early BC.Conversely, your doctor has been positive so he may well turn out to be right too!
For me the waiting from that first doctor’s appointment to the clinic appointment was te hardest.As others have said, try not to read too much. I read loads and ended up being an expert on all sorts of things that I didn’t end up being diagnosed with!
thanks Freddie I guess I assumed my GPs positivity as a programmed reaction - maybe it wasnt- thanks for your kind words I hope you’re doing ok now!!
I dont think anything can take away the stress or worry of waiting but its definately helped letting it out here and having lovely people like yourself sharing your experiances
6 months ago i felt a huge lump in my left breast…went to the hosptial and they did an urgent request as well…an ultrasound, a mammagram, and then a biopsy…all on the same day… i was so nervous and all i was thinking about was BC…the radiologist said it may be fibrodenomas but i should wait for 1-2 weeks for the results. they called me back and told me not to worry…it was benign…and they think it’s fibrodenomas and scheduled me a followup in 6 months. i just had the followup appointment and the doctor felt the lump and told me it’s not going to get smaller…supposedly i have a few small ones a hugeee one…so he’s referring me to see a surgeon at the BC center to perhaps get it removed. i’m so worried and scared…i havent had the appointment scheduled yet and i can’t stop thinking about everything…should i remove it or not… i am 37 yrs old and was going to try having my first child…with all this on my head i’m afraid to do anything. i’m anxious as well. Lee
I am pleased to hear that you were diagnosed with fibroadenoma and not BC … that must have been such a relief. As for having the lump removed now I have no personal experience so cant offer any advice. I am sure there are ladies on here who will have had to make the same decision you are making now and will be able to share their views with you. I have read that they sometimes remove these types of lumps if they are of a larger size and uncomfortable etc … did the doctor explain to you why they felt it was better for it to come out ?
Hoep you get lots of helpful replies…take care and try not to worry too much - although I do understand thats easier said than done!!
thanks for the words. i just find it strange that on the follow up the gp didn’t advise why i should remove it…i don’t have any discomforts but i guess it’s really big that they suggest to remove it. he also kept saying just wait until you speak with the surgeon. my worry is there used to be a young girl that worked with me…they told her she had a benign lump in her left breast…when they went to remove it, they told her it was BC…
the one i have is to the left and close to the nipple…i’m afraid it’s going to distort my breast. i hope someone out there has experiences to share with me.
Well strangely after my last post to you I actually got my results emailed to me from the hospital (long story-been waiting 6 weeks for them!) - and like yours its a Benign Fibroadenoma. They still want me to attend an appointment to discuss the possibility of removing it - no idea why - maybe its the size again like yours ? I dont know whats considered large, small, average! on my results slip its says 21mm x 18mm which seems small to me! Im so relieved to get the benign result to be honest that I refuse to worry about anything else further down the line.
Let me know how you get on when you speak to the surgeon (I know it may seem strange but I will keep coming on here from time to time just to catch up with how people are doing - they have been so kind and supportive to me these past two months).
Last year I went to see my GP because my breasts felt really lumpy and was told that it was probably due to taking the pill (to control painful periods). I was reassured that it was nothing to worry about. My weight fluctuated a lot but after Christmas I noticed that my right breast was a cup size larger than the left one.
To cut a long story short, I have since been referred to the breast clinic and was an emotional wreck after they did an ultrasound and needle biopsy all in the same afternoon. They told me initially that it could be a phyllodes tumour which is mostly benign but can be cancerous as well. However, now I have been told that it is more likely to be a juvenile fibroadenoma that can often grow quite quickly.
I am due to have it removed this Friday and have been quite scared. Also, they haven’t completely ruled out a phyllodes tumour until they take it out and examine it. In a letter (more distressing I think) they told me it was 130x140 mm, which is large. I’ve been told that I won’t need reconstructive surgery (although I haven’t got large breasts at all).
I think that they should give a reason for removing it if it is so smal, but I think mine is still growing and I do get twinges now and then and I will feel much better with it taken out.
Welcome to the BCC forums. As well as the support you receive from the other users you may find it helpful to have a look at a couple of the BCC information booklets. We have one on phyllodes tumours and also on fibroadenoma’s. Both leaflets explain what these conditions are, how they are diagnosed and what treatment may be required. If you would like a copy of these I have included the links below:-
Thanks Sam. unfortunately i can’t open the links as I don’t have administrative rights to install info on my laptop. I’ve read quite a bit about both conditions so will just have to see how it goes
that’s great news for you too (re the benign fibrodenoma). It seems we are in the same boat. Let’s hope for the best. Definately will post up after i see the surgeon…no appointment yet.
Best of luck going forward … hope you both stay well and keep smiling! I really appreciated your support and best wishes through all this.
Take care and have a lovely Sunday - Sue xxxx
just thought i’d give a quick update as i have not been on here awhile…i had another ultrasound in august and finally got to speak to a surgeon last week…the fibrodenoma measures 35mm by 25 mm…he said it didn’t grow much from last year, and so he recomennded no surgery. he said i only have to go back in a year for another us…i guess it’s a good relief, but also a bit scary as it’s still her and i could feel it…
hope you are doing well!