hello everyone, this is my first post!

Spent the day looking into the prospect of possible IBC now that my left breast has swollen up these last two days and is very painful. I can feel a hard mass deep in the outer quadrant nearer the armpit and know I shall be seeing my doctor this week.

I had felt in September, some months back a sharp pain in the same area but the pain went and I forgot about it thinking it might be a cyst as I used to have cysts drained in my hormonal days, I’m post-menopause now. Over these last two days the pain suddenly came back with my left breast feeling heavy and swollen up.

I have done some research today and am aware IBC is agressive but am trying to put it out of my mind, at least for tonight.

Hi nightingale3

I’m sorry to read that you are having a worrying time at the moment. I’m sure some of the other users will be along to support you soon.

In the meantime maybe you would like to talk to a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open tomorrow 9.00 to 2.00 and then normal hours from Wednesday, which are 9 to 5pm weekdays and 10.00 to 2.00pm Saturday.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator

Nightingale, see your doctor ASAP, but DON’T GOOGLE - you’ll scare yourself unecessarily. There’s a lot on the web that’s out of date or, frankly, just wrong.

You need to find out what it is that’s causing your discomfort, but remember most lumps and pains turn out to be benign, and not cancer at all. If it is cancer the sooner you get treatment started the better. Try not to worry (says she!) but I know the ‘waiting room’, as we call it, is the worst part of the whole process - waiting for diagnosis appointments and test results.

Good luck. Don’t forget to come back on here and tell us, so we can celebrate your good news with you, or support you through the next stages. xx