Hi Ladies,
I have been reading your posts for a few weeks and just decided to register this evening and share my worries.
I found a lump in my right breast quite a few months ago but told myself not to worry. I decided that I couldnt ignore it anymore so went to my doc who referred me on to have a check in the Breast Clinic. I had this about 2 and half months ago, which consisted of an examination, mammogram and scan. The doctor told me there was a lump / thickening (I can’t remember exactly what size it was but I can feel that it is quite large). Anyway, he said that he didnt think it was anything “sinister” but if it was still there in 8 weeks he would call me back for a fine needle biopsy “to be on the safe side”. So I have now got my appointment for the follow up for this Thursday 3rd Nov. The thing is, I can now feel another lump in the same breast. I have also been having alot of pain in the breast, particularly at night. I tend to sleep on my left side now. I also have alot of shoulder / back pain on my right side and have been suffering really bad pins and needles and numbing in my right hand at night. I have myself worried sick that something is wrong. I am 35 with 3 small kids. Sorry for the long winded post. I haven’t told anyone of my worries and I am hoping that the biopsy will put my mind at rest. Will they do another momogram on this follow up appointment, what should I expect. Im also nervous about the biopsy.
Thanks for listening.
Hi there newshoes
Firstly, welcome to the forums, I’m sure you’ll find them a great source of information and support.
It’s perfectly normal to be worried about the lump you’ve found and waiting for appointments is always more difficult.
If you feel it would help to talk through your feelings, do call the Helpline on 0808 800 6000.
They’re open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Best wishes.
Louise
Facilitator
Hello newshoes
It probably isn’t anything to worry about, but be sure to tell them about the second lump, pain and pins and needles so that they do a full investigation this time. The biopsy should tell them exactly what is going on.
The waiting is the worst thing with breast problems but you haven’t got long to wait now. Lots and lots of luck for Thursday. Let us know what happens.
Anthi xx
Hello New shoes… sending you a big hug. It’s a scary time and it does help to have people to chat to, there is a wealth of experience here best of luck to you xxx
Hello Newshoes,
We are all here to support you.yes our minds go into overdrive when we are worried, there is a lot of ladies who experience pain in our breast
what i have been told it is lump pressing on nerves.
I had my biopsy several weeks ago not too bad doc freeze site a few clicks with slight preasure sample taken away to be looked at same day. waiting time you will find is the worse for results.
we can have a lot of different problems with our breast not all bad news.
Breast care leaflets are a great help very informative which you can download.
I would go to GP to see if you can get a quicker appointment at hosp
Keep on looking at post on here as we are a great lot of ladies who can tell you of their experience and help you with your fears.
We are here for you, as we all know how you are feeling.
Keep in touch take care Pat xx
Hi newshoes
I just want to wish you good luck on Thursday for your biopsy. Most places won’t be able to give you the results innthe day and you normally have to wait around a week to get your results so it’s even more worrying. Your doctor should be able to give you an idea if whether they do still think it’s nothing to worry about or something more serious. Hoping it’s not malignant but we are all here to speak to if it’s not good news. Do remember that 90% of lumps are benign and you are young so the statistics are on your side.
Love and hugs
Lulu xx
Thanks for all your lovely advice. i will be glad when tomorrow is over. Will keep up all updated.
Take Care Everyone x
how did you get on?
Good morning Newshoes,
Hope you are ok be nice to know, as we all care for each other on here.
We are on this journey together supporting each other.
looking forward to a chat.
Keep pecker up Pat xx
Hi Ladies,
Sorry for not getting back sooner. Well I went to my appointment on Thursday for what I thought was to be a folow up biopsy.
My appointment was at 2.30pm and was eventually called at 5.00pm and examined by a junior doctor since the consultant had been called away. In fairness he did a thorough examination and I explained about the pain, pins and needles etc that I have been experiencing. He could also feel the lump in my breast and I have to say the pain was bad when he was pressing on the lump. He took notes and said that he would have to wait for the consultant to come back. After another 25 min wait the consultant came into the room told me to lie down, down an extremely quick examination and said that it was benign cysts and to take evening primrose oil for the pain and left again.
I asked the junior doctor why i wasnt having the biopsy I was supposed to have seeing that the mammogram showed up thickening of the breast and that I can clearly feel the lump - and if anything it feels larger. At no time was there any reference made back to the mammogram results and no mention of the biopsy. All the consultant said was to come back if anything changed as “after all we are not God here”. I feel really unhappy about the way I was treated and feel that my concerns haven’t been fully understood or listened to. Am I over reacting and worrying about nothing? Sorry for rambling, I know there are ladies here with much more to worry about. Thanks.
Hello…the problem with asking us that kind of question is that there are quite a few women who were misdiagnosed on here - whereas there will have been thousands and thousands who were diagnosed with cysts correctly who obviously wont be on here. So please don’t get freaked out by reading our experiences!!
Your worries haven’t been addressed properly and if I were you I would call the clinic again and ask for another appointment for a biopsy as that is what you were meant to have - or see your GP and explain that you didn’t get the fine needle biopsy that you were meant to get and that you are worried as the lump is still there after the 2 months you’ve had to wait. Or maybe see if there’s a one-stop clinic that your GP can refer you to instead (they do a mammogram, scan and biopsy and give you the results on the same day - so no waiting around). The fact that you’re back on this forum shows that you’re still really concerned - and it’s horrible to have to live with the worry. There’s something going on in there which isn’t quite right and you want it sorted!
I was misdiagnosed and sent away with antibiotics despite a strong family history. I kept going back and being dismissed with different antibiotics. Each time I was scanned and asked for a biopsy and was told it wasn’t cancer. On my final visit I broke down in tears and begged for a biopsy which they relented to, basically to shut me up! And it was cancer.
There are some of us who were dismissed wrongly but there will be many, many more who will have been diagnosed correctly with a benign condition - but by coming onto a breast cancer forum where we have had a diagnosis of breast cancer I think many of us will have a tale that will worry you and will urge you to go back and get checked out fully.
It makes me cross when the message is to get changes and lumps checked out - but then so many people are dismissed without having them checked properly.
Hi Newshoes
Please don’t feel the need to ask us what you should do.
If your gut instinct tells you something is not right then you have every right to stamp your feet if that’s what it takes to get a mammogram or US.
After all its your life, not anyone else’s.So dont be afraid to take control.
Big hugs XXX
PS I had a thickening in my breast and was told on 3 occasions that it was nothing to worry about. It was only my persistence that made them take a biopsy to then be diagnosed with BC.
Thank you so much for your replies. I will definetly go back to my GP and follow this up again. Just to put my mind to rest. Take Care.
Hello Newshoes,
I am going to echo what has already been said, i was misdiagnose
waited too long before next episode,a consultant told me nothing to worry about only calcification, HE WAS WRONG no biopsy done then as they thought no need, awhile later now with bloody discharge even ultrasound doc said it dosent look like anything sinister,
biopsy proved them all wrong.
PLEASE go back to GP stamp and stamp your feet as you are obviously worried
thinking of you Pat xx
Hi Newshoes,
I’m sorry to hear that you received bad treatment at the clinic. Making comments like ‘we’re not God here’ is really unprofessional and it sounds like a really upsetting experience to not feel like you were examined properly. I would consider complaining about the treatment you’ve received.
I don’t think you’re overreacting - its so stressful to not know what’s wrong and it feel like you can’t relax and get on with things.
Perhaps you could ask your GP to refer you to a different hospital, if you say you don’t mind travelling a bit further. I would get it checked again though - having peace of mind is really important,
Take care x
New shoes maybe you need to get in touch with PALs (patient liaison) at your hosp and tell them your experience… It’s bad enough going through the worrying experience without the need for the stroppy attitude… and yes he’s not god but he is a highly qualified doctor who is specialising in breast cancer so you would be expecting optimal care and treatment… Even if he could say yes it’s definitely a cyst no need to worry then that would be more reassuring not sure why he felt the need to finish up with were not god… Extremely unreassuring.
Hugs Lulu x