I had a core biopsy early July because the mammo showed calcification and I will go back to clinic at the end of the year to have repeat tests. Over the past few days my breasts have become increasingly sore again. This was the reason I was initially referred to the breast clinic. Today I noticed a hard pea sized lump very close to my nipple that I have not felt before. I really wasn’t sure what to do so I called the helpline for advice. The lovely lady I spoke to said it was unlikely to be related to the biopsy and suggested I call the BCN which I did and am now waiting for her to bet back to me.
As we are always advised to get any changes in our breasts checked I was just wondering if anyone here has experienced anything similar to this? I’m worried to go back to my GP. I’d be mortified if I was thought of as being paranoid or wasting time but I am feeling frightened. Hopefully the BCN will call me tomorrow and put my mind at ease but until she does I’d be grateful for any help or advice anyone has.
I haven’t had quite the same experience as you, but my tumour was a lump about the size of a kidney bean so pea sized is definitely something to be concerned about.
Nobody can tell you for certain that is is not cancer just by feeling or looking, and they definitely can’t tell you by a description over the phone so go straight to your GP today and get referred for the tests. They will not think you’re paranoid, but even if they do, then don’t let it bother you. These forums are full of stories of GPs who didn’t think there was a problem and were proved wrong.
You need to know what its going on so you can have peace of mind or get it treated if necessary. So go and get it checked and come back on here and let us know what happens.
The BCN did call me earlier and told me to go to the GP and get referred back to clinic so it can be investigated further. Fortunately I managed to get an appointment for this evening…a massive feat in it’s self as it’s near impossible to get an appointment at our doctors at short notice.
Haraskram - So glad you managed to get an appt. I think they have to keep some for emergencies. You only have to mention ‘lump’ and it seems to do the trick. I was seen the same day, also.
However, I am surprised you are having to go back to the GP as you are being monitored by the hospital already. I think I would have pushed the BCN to get me a direct appt.
Yes that does seem to be the case. When I initially asked for an apt I was told there was nothing left for today & to try again tomorrow. As soon as I mentioned what the problem was & that I’d spoken to the BCN then explained she advised me to see GP I was offered the apt straight away.
When I spoke to the lady from the helpline yesterday she advised me to contact BCN and said it would probably be quicker going through her than seeking another referral from GP. Fortunately I’m seeing the same doctor who referred me last time and I got an apt at clinic within the week so hopefully I’ll be seen quickly again. Got to admit tho’ I’m feeling very anxious at the moment. It’s the waiting & uncertainty that’s getting to me but I keep reminding myself that everyone here has the very same anxiety & worrying wont make it happen any quicker.
Haraskram - I hope your appt with the GP went ok today and that you have been referred if the doctor thought it necessary. The waiting is absolutely awful. If your BCN could arrange the appt, it would probably reduce the waiting time.
Hello again
Well I saw my GP last night & she was able to feel the lump too. She also said she could feel a much bigger lump and said it seems to her that the smaller one seems to be a continuation of the bigger one.
She asked me lots of questions re my monthly cycle (or I should say NOT so monthly cycle), the soreness I’ve been experiencing etc etc. After a long discussion we both agreed that it is probably hormonal and we should monitor the situation for a few weeks and asked me to come back and see here again in 2-3 weeks time.
I do feel much better about it today although one part of my mind tells me I should have asked her to refer me back to clinic straight away just to be sure. Another part tells me that I only had a mammo in early July so surely if there was anything sinister it would have shown up then? I even keep feeling the lump to check it’s still there. I guess I’m hoping it will just disappear as quickly as it seemed to appear. Oh I’m just rambling now & I’m so sorry.
Anyway thanks everyone for your support & for listening to me go on. I realise what I’m going through is absolutely nothing compared to what so many of you here have to deal with.
I don’t want to worry you, but my tumour couldn’t be seen on the mammogram, even though it was a lump that everyone could feel. Younger women have denser breast tissue and this can obscure things.
Did you have an ultrasound when you had the investigation in July? If you did, was it over the whole breast or just where the calcification was? If the answer to either of these is no, then I don’t think you should wait 2-3 weeks and then be referred again which could mean 4-5 weeks altogether. You should get a referral now.
Hi Elsk
No you haven’t worried me at all you have just helped me realise that I shouldn’t wait. I have just had a chat to my husband and asked him, If it was you’re body…? & actually he really surprised me by saying he wouldn’t wait either.
I didn’t have an ultra sound last time just the mammo which showed calcification which lead to the core biopsy 2 days later. I’m not actually a younger woman I’m 48 so would the mammo not show up everything as I am older?
I did ask the BCN if there was anything suspicious at the time of the mammo wouldn’t it have shown up & she said that they only see what they are looking for at the time. Which I must admit did baffle me a bit. I asked the GP if anything could have developed within the 6 weeks since the mammo & her exact words were it is unlikely but never say never.
Anyway I will call the surgery tomorrow and bring the apt forward & take it from there.
I’m glad you are going back to get this followed up now. Aside from getting treatment more quickly if needed, the weeks of waiting and wondering are very hard. The sooner you get peace of mind or know what you’re dealing with, the better.
Also, you are a young woman in breast cancer terms. Maybe not as young as many on these forums, but still young enough to have dense breast tissue. I am 47 and I was 46 at dx last year.
I have managed to bring my apt forward but only by 1 week. The doctor I see is on holiday till then so have got apt for the day she comes back.
I know I’m probably being very foolish not seeing one of the other doctors sooner but I’d rather wait to see her. Also we go away on 2 Sept for 10 days & believe me we really need this holiday so I figure if I see Dr on 25th then hopefully I’ll know before we go away when my clinic apt will be, that is of course if she feels I should be referred back to clinic. Failing that I’ll ask a friend to open my mail while we’re away.
i had similar problems to you. i was recalled for a mammogram in april . i also had calcifications . i had core biopseys done too .i dont want to worry you . but please dont wait to see your doctor. phone the breast clinic that did your tests, ask them to see you i am sure they will.
Hi angiem & thanks for your advice.
I did phone the BCN when I first found the lump and she advised me to see the doctor to be referred back to clinic. I see my GP again tomorrow & I am hoping she will refer me back to the clinic this time. I still have the lump and to be honest, & at the risk of sounding paranoid, I will feel much better getting it checked at clinic.