I’m new here and feeling anxious, so I thought I’d share my story so far.
Around two weeks ago, I found a lump in my right breast. It feels irregular, hard, and it doesn’t move. I don’t have nipple discharge, skin dimpling, or changes to the nipple.
I went to see my GP, and she examined me. She said it was a definite lump. Measured it at 3cmx3cm. She also found a denser area on my left breast. She didn’t try to reassure me it was “probably nothing,” in fact she said she felt I should start to think about what treatment might look like, and that could include mastectomy. This threw me as I was expecting the script of, “we don’t know what it is so you’re off to breast clinic”. Because she gave me her opinion so frankly, asked me my job and then said “well they’ll have to cope”, and wished me “Good luck” as I left, I’ve been reeling all week!
My appointment is this Friday. The waiting is so hard!
I’m 41 and have two boys aged 17 and 15. My husband is very supportive but lost his job yesterday. It never rains does it!
Wow, talk about lack of bedside manner! The amount of people that have had horrible experiences with GPs or other ( including myself) is shocking.
When I saw mine she wasn’t quite as direct as this but I could tell she was concerned, she said she would send a strongly worded referral for me. I left the surgery, drove to work, took 10 minutes, as I walked through the door I had a phone call with appointment for a mammogram. Gosh that strongly worded referral must have been a good one!!!
The thing is, they are on it rather quickly. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you lovely and keep us updated as I will be thinking of you.
Sorry about your Husband, mine too is out of work, Land Rover Jaguar issue!!!
Take care xxx
The way you describe it does sound a bit suspicious and sizeable tbh. It must be crap coming across things when on the younger side as, unless there is family history, nobody thinks to check themselves regularly as you get told it predominantly happens to older people. Then you don’t have mammograms to fall back on - or remind you you should check regularly. Your GP could of been more subtle though.
I went to GP with a 1cm smooth lump that was movable, so he was mentioning possible fibroadenoma and trying to be optimistic. However, I kinda sussed it didnt fit the age below 40 for such things as I was way over at 52. Still hoped it was some kinda cyst maybe.
Turns out it was a fairly rare one with unusual features, that isn’t easily spotted on mammograms- they have their limits. Just shows you never know. GP may have been trying to prepare you to take someone with you to clinic. They often take bipsies after scanning, so its good to have someone there for support. I went on my own, with probably too much hope ok, but was surprised how painful biopsies can be. Manageable, but not pleasant by any means.
Take someone with you, just in case. Lumps can go up and down with hormone cycles. If they disappear altogether it could be a good sign, but if they still remain throughout your cycle, it can mean something is up.