Hi I was 35yrs when I went to gp having had sore and swollen breasts for about 3mths which had started to cause me pain under my arms. The doc said it is def not cancer I hadn’t thought it was either . After a bit of pushing ( as the pain was getting difficult to manage, I couldn’t even cuddle my son or put bra on without pain) she said she’d write and ask consultant for advice on the pain and swelling and how to treat it. I was surprised to then get a ap for breast clinic, I was expecting to be told to take paracetamol and just ride it out, by this time the pain and swelling was easing and I almost didn’t go, but my mum ,who had had bc, made me.
It’s a one stop clinic. I had mamo and then was sent for ultrasound which focused on one breast, then I heard the radiologist giving assistant measurements, at this point I thought I might be in a bit of trouble but not much. The doc said there and then that it was sinister he then did a biopsy. I asked if he would bet his mortgage on it he said yes and that the boob had to go. The sore boobs were nothing to do with the cancer as it was both boobs not just the one. If it hadn’t been for a paranoid mum I would be in a lot more trouble than I was as it had already started to spread into the nodes. So one boob down, chemo rads done, now 5yrs clear,oh and a 2yr old daughter to put a smile back on my face.
Nicci
Like mfb I was 49 when diagnosed and am coming up to my year’s anniversary on March 28th. Two years earlier I’d had a slight bloodstained nipple discharge but no other syptoms but my vigilant GP sent me to the breast care clinic where mammogram and ultrasounds came back as normal. Early last year I started experiencing pain and tenderness in both breasts and was tempted initially to put this down to hormonal changes due to imminent onset of the menopuse. However my rigth breast felt vaguely lumpy unlike the left one. My GP - the same one - examined me but could find no cause for alarm. She did refer me back to the clinic though to be on the safe side. Because my first experience hadn’t thrown up anything to worry about I was completely blase about my appointment and actually felt like a time waster. It was only when the ultrasound doctor proceeded to undertake a core biopsy (breast and underarm) there and then that I began to suspect all might not be well. I then had to wait and see the consultant who informed me kindly but firmly that they’d found four suspicious lumps and was very likely looking at breast cancer surgery. Somehow I managed to drive home alone without losing the plot. My lovely other half was mortified that he hadn’t accompanied me to the clinic but I’d put him off - joking that he’d be better off going for a pint than hanging around for hours surrounded by women in hospital gowns. I even texted him while waiting for mammogram apologising for time it was taking but suggesting that because I was ok my consultation had been bumped to the end of the list. Further biposies a week later revealed high grade DCIS with microinvasion but no node involvement, thankfully. I’ve since had an mx and immediate LD reconstruction and am due to have further corrective surgery in summer ( Yay - a nipple and uplift on other side) My care has been second to none, which has made a huge difference to my recovery - physically and emotionally. I feel very lucky not to have had to endure chemo or rads -and because my cancer wasn’t hormone receptive I am not on any drugs either. I’d advise anyone out there with even the slightest concern to see their GP and to ask for a referral if it’s not forthcoming. I’m now looking forward to being symmetrical again - although no one else can tell I’m ‘wonky’ when I’m dressed. Once I’ve recovered from the next op I am taking me, my new perky boobs and my wonderful bloke for a lovely holiday in Greece. Love and luck to you all. x
Hi At the end of Jan I went to the dr’s I was having bloodstained discharge from my left nipple. I’m 42 the doctor fast tract me to have a mammogram and ultra sound, during the ultra sound I needed to have a biopsy done. Went to see the consultant to be told I had widespread DCIS. Now I’m waiting to have a mx and LD reconstruction. Hopefully the op will be done in the next couple of weeks. Still trying to come to terms with it all.
Hugs to all
Gillian xx
In Feb 2011 I was happily showering away whilst my baby boy was laying on his mat kicking his legs and waving his arms when suddenly I came across a lump in my left breast. It was a hard lump that didnt move I ignored it and carried on showering but decided it should probably feel if it was still there I think I thought it was going to dissapear in the shower…
It was a Saturday so met my friends for coffee they all said ‘oh its probably a blocked milk duct, dont worry’ I called my GP on Monday and luckily seen that day, my GP said ‘I dont like to mess around with lumps so I will refer you straight away’ The rest unfortunatly is history chemo, rads and Herceptin.
I really dont feel that there is enough exposure for younger people and cancer and agree the age for routine mammograms should be lowered regardless if BC runs in the family or not as in my case.
Best Wishes to all
Beccy x
Hi,
I was the same as Beccy, was showering and felt a lump in my left boob. FRom there on in it was like a whirlwind of biopsies etc.
I have to say despite the size of my lump 5cm by 4cm it didnt show up on a mammogram. (oh i’m 37 by the way and was diagnosed this Feb)
I’m also concerned by how many people since my diagnosis have admitted they dont know how to check their boobs!
Rae
x
I have my son’s horse to thank , early Dec he “headed butted” my boob and it sent an electric shock type feeling to my arm , then felt lump but left it for a month as christmas new grandson was due and was going for hip replacment(now on hold for at least 6 months) am 54 by the way . so now love dear horse did’nt much like it before!!!
J x
I just thought I would bump up this thread and invite anyone on the forum who hasn’t previously added their story to feel free to comment. It’s an interesting thread, have a read.
Had sharp shooting pains in my boob for a few months. Woke me up at night sometimes. No lumps or bumps. GP didn’t feel anything neither did the consultant at hospital. Only showed up on US. Mine is lobular- a bugger to detect. I only went to get checked as i lost a friend to BC aged 29 in 2003. I am only 37. i honestly think that if she hadn;t died i would not have gone as I though pain on its own wasn’t a sign and I was too young to get it. x
I noticed a shading or bruise type colouring on my boob when I came out the shower… It was only notice able after a shower, I could feel a bit lumpy but wasn’t sure because… And this is where the misunderstanding comes in… It was just above the nipple and I thought the lumps were to the top of the breast toward the underarm… That’s the lymph nodes.
I kept an eye on it and then one day it throbbed, so I made an appointment and I went from there. I have 2pm ps so mx and some l
LN involvement so chemo n rads too…
I wish I’d found it sooner or dealt with it right away but mostly I am grateful it’s quite close to surface that it discoloured in the heat of the shower because the other one I wouldn’t have found. X
I noticed my nipple inverted but felt no lump. I noticed on a Saturday and went to my GP on the Monday morning (he coudnt feel any lumps either). Was referred to breast clinic the following Monday, where after mammograms, scans and biopsy, I was told it was cancer.
i found mine purely by chance. it was about three days before xmas last year and i absent mindedly scractched my left boob and felt something lumpy, but it was more like a ligament, long and stringy, rather than a lump. then i felt the rest of the boob and i felt a whole area just above my nipple that was lumpy.
i went straight to my gp who referred me straight away. during the two week wait for my appointment i kept an eye on the lump and it actually got smaller, the big lumpy area and the ‘ligament’ disappeared, and it was just left with a small hard lump above the nipple. thats when i knew i was in trouble - i just ‘knew’ it was something sinister.
i also had shooting pains in that area, not all the time, but sometimes it would be really sore.
i did often check my breasts, in the shower a week after every period, because i have worked with two young women who got breast cancer and it scared the life out of me, but not religiously every month. if i had checked them every month i probably would have found it earlier. i just thank god that i found it by accident that day, or else who knows how long it would have been - i still may not have found it to this day.
im 37. after my diagnosis when i went back for my sn biopsy, i remember the ultrasound tech guy telling me how upset him and the other teccie guy were the day they saw my mammogram and ultrasound - they said they couldnt believe it becuase of my age and had to keeo checking. bless them.
now i just tell my frineds every time i see them to check their breasts every month.
Hi All, I spent yesterday afternoon reading this thread , very interesting indeed. I found my lump by accident and yes I did check regularly too. I was getting changed ready to go to aerobics took my normal bra off to put my sports bra on, had a little scratch right underneath my boob and felt something hard, thought ‘nah’ its just a fold of skin but thank goodness something made me go back and double check and yes it was definately there. Doctors next day, even though in the morning it took me a while to locate it again, she found it quite easily. Said the usual, probably a cyst…went to one stop clinic, had mammo and ultrasound and core biopsy which they found difficult as lump only tiny. Could see on radiographers face he wasn’t sure but said 50/50 either way. Back for results 4 days later, surgeon said prob grade 2 but after WLE and SNB turned into Grade 3 and I’m Her2+…so am just about to start 5th cycle tax + herceptin…
An interesting point, one of my cats about 2 months before I found the lump was sitting on my knee as normal, ten deliberately got up and bit at my right boob twice and had a puzzled look on her face…I swear to this day she knew and I should’ve listened.
I also relate to what some of you were saying about BC and stress, I asked my ONC what the growth rate of my lump was and he said probably 1cm per year…my lump was 9mm and I found it 9 months after a really traumatic time and year for me…makes you wonder doesn’t it?
Love KQ
I have just read this thread & it makes very interesting reading. I regularly self examined & had a clear mammogram in 2009 as part of my company health screening (I am 48). In Jan this year I scratched under my arm while leaning across my desk & felt a lump. I couldn’t feel it is the normal self exam position so found completely by accident. Left it a month thinking it was hormone related I am peri menopausal & had suddenly had a period after 6 months of non. When it didn’t go went to the GP who referred me for screening. Nothing showed in either breast on mammogram or ultrasound, but biopsied lymph node & knew then it wasn’t good news. My lymph node had cancer which was almost definitely breast cancer but needed scans to rule out it coming from elsewhere. Nothing showed on MRI, CT or Bone scan so had Mx. Only a small area of DCIS was found in my breast, but no cancer, my lymph node was 4cm & 1 other node affected along with 2 nodes with micro mets. As a consequence I have no confidence my other breast isn’t affected & it just isn’t showing up and will be pushing for a risk reducing mx on my other side & CT scans as follow ups rather than mammograms.
My case is rare but not unheard of & I am now having precautionary chemo 6FEC-T, as assumed it is grade 3 fast growing but don’t know what type, which is unnerving. It is 6/8 ER+ and HER-, I suspect it was fuelled by my hormones being all over the place for a couple years.
I really do think the publicity on self exam needs changing as you really do look out for lumps not change & checking under the arm is also important
This is an interesting thread. And it does seem that many self checkers like us here, are finding it by accident and not as part of the routine self check positions. I found a lump in my left breast, on the side, about 2 inches left of my nipple, purely by chance, back in march. My boyfriend squashed it with his head one morning in bed while repositioning himself and it was really painful. The next day, I was relaxing on the sofa, had taken my bra off and leaning on my right arm and because my breast still felt quite sore, I was feeling around the sore bit and that’s when I came across this hard lump. Not entirely sure if I’d felt something, I asked my boyfriend if he could feel something and he confirmed he could. Later that evening, I looked at my breasts in the mirror and when I tensed my arms, I could see dimpling in the left breast, over where I’d felt the lump. I think I knew then what it was. As I was away the rest of that week with work, my OH booked a docs appointment for that Friday and I was referred for ultrasound, mammogram and core biopsy the following Wednesday. The docs etc never said anything other than it was more than a cyst. The following Monday, I got the results back confirming it was cancer and I had two options, either a full mx or a WLE with SNB and rads. I opted for the latter. Surgery turned out to be a success, clear margins and LN-ve but was a grade 3 and ER+, so a 6-cycle course of FEC chemo was added, which I finished cycle 1 yesterday, followed by a 3 week course of rads and then 5yrs tamoxifen.
I agree that self-checking needs to be more clearer - for example, although I was checking my breasts, I never considered my armpits nor did I extend up to my collar bone.
I also agree that stress has a major part to play. The last 12-15 months have been difficult to say the least - feb last year I changed jobs, march last year my nan died, then also in march my mum and stepdad were diagnosed as HIV+, then in April last year my OH walked out on me - I came home from work to find most his things gone and a note) - but he came back a week later and we sorted it and have become closer because of it. In November last year my uncle died, in December I had to have my 16yr old dog put to sleep, in January this year I had a miscarriage and in march this year we sold my house and moved, oh and found the lump. April had confirmed diagnosis and surgery and June chemo! Phew!
Will be glad when it’s all over so I can take a breather!! Xxx
Hi,
At 46 I am not sure I qualify for this forum, but anyway…
Mine started with a stinging, tingling sensation in my breast around Xmas which I thought was a skin allergy. This continued over the next few months and my whole breast started to swell and harden. I thought this may be the start of the menopause as I already had period problems, but had a nagging doubt that it was inflammatory breast cancer. I didn’t go to the doctor as I was very busy at work and had a holiday coming up, and thought it would just be dismissed as attention seeking behaviour. I also thought I would just be asked to wait a couple of menstraul cycles to see if it changed. It didn’t. We went on holiday in March and I got a red rash on my breast which I thought was sunburn but it didn’t go away.
I went to my GP in April and she referred me urgently to the breast clinic, the look on her face told me she thought it was cancer (she told me afterwards she thought this even though she had never seen a case of cancer that looked quite like mine). By this time my breast was like half a coconut shell (only not hairy!) and visibly different in shape and size to the other so I had to hide it from my husband. My GP also saw the orange peel skin thing which I hadn’t noticed as it was on the underside of my breast, and my breasts are large so I couldn’t see it. By this time my lymph nodes were swollen and painful too, but I had had a sore throat for several weeks and thought it was just a virus.
I saw the breast doctor 2 weeks later, he did a physcal exam, ultrasound and took biopsies from my breast and lymph nodes. I didn’t have a mammogram as they were running late. I think he pretty much knew then, but I had a business trip up to Glasgow the next morning and he sensed that now wasn’t the time to tell me I probably had cancer.
I went back the next week and the results of the biopsies confirmed it was inflammatory breast cancer and had spread to my lymph nodes. I also had a mammogram, mainly to check the other breast, as IBC doesn’t always show up very well on mammograms, and a MRI scan to check how extensive it was and to provide the “before” picture so that they can see how well the chemo is working.
I then had CT scan of liver and lungs and bone scan which came back OK. By chance the CT scan found I had fibroids which had been the cause of my period problems, not the menopause!
I am now experiencing the joys of chemo.
It seems I was lucky to get referred straight away, as IBC is quite often misdiagnosed as mastitis or a skin condition. I have never been pregnant (my choice) and I think this increases the risk.
My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with BC at about the same age as me. I am not sure what type of BC this was. She was given a prognosis of 2 years, but passed away at 93 years old from an unrelated condition (bronchopneumonia following flu). My mother got ovarian cancer at 66, and died the next year from a pulmonary embolism.
Bumping up for any new stories x
I too had no lump and found by accident not via mammo, which was clear even after visible changes to breast…just 6 weeks pre MX…
I too have had VERY stressful few years and it was worst in last year so sure that contributed higely to my imbalance alloweing cancer to get in the gap in my defences but it has no chance now, I am back on the case…and deliberately trying to avoid stress…
Having read a few pages of the this thread i can see the majority of cases were diagnosed from accidently finding a lump. I didnt find a lump as such. One Thursday evening I had just got out of the bath and was drying myself. I rubbed my hand across my chest and noticed my left breast felt hard like it did when it was full of milk during the pregnancy of my son. The other was soft and normal. I had split with my boyfriend about 6 weeks before this and had stopped taking my pill. The week i found the hardness i had just re started my pill so i just thought it was a hormone surge or imbalance. I tried to put it to the back of my mind but it concerned me so i mentioned it to my mum over the weekend who was very concerned and told me to get seen to immediately. I promised her that if it was still there after the weekend i would see a doctor. I saw a female doctor on the Monday morning who said it didnt feel like a lump. more a thickening of the skin, she didnt think it was anything to worry about but would refer me to the breast clinic just to be sure. I waited less than 2 weeks for my appointment at the hospital where i was examined, had an ultrasound and a biopsy. The doctor said she thought it was tissue damage from having bumped myself, banged it or possible seatbelt trauma. I knew nothing like that had happened to me but thought that if that was all it was then it was a relief. There is no history of cancer in my family and i believed i was too young for breast cancer so i was pretty sure all was well. I was told to return 4 days later for the biopsy results honestly believing there was nothing wrong only to be told it was a good job they had done the biopsy as it was a type of Cancer (Lobular). After another ultrasound and biopsy, mamogram and MRI scan i was told i had 2 tumours in my left breast, that the lymph node cells were abnormal and that i had grade 2-3 cancer. As i’m only 33 and it had shown signs of spreading already they wanted to treat it as grade 3 and hard and fast. I started chemo about 2 weeks later and am now on my 2nd dose with 4 more to go. I was told last Monday that 1 of my tumours is at least 5 and a half cm so i will have a mastectomy after chemo then radiotherapy. Did anybody else have the thickening like me?
Yes, mine was a general squidgy thickening that I noticed myself. I was mid-40s so too young to have been called for a screening mammogram. The cancer was multifocal with the largest focus being an average of 5cm diameter. I considered myself to be a breast aware and health conscious woman so it was a huge shock to me that I only discovered the problem when it was 5cm in size (in only average sized breasts). Unfortunately so many people think that they need to look out for a hard ‘frozen-pea’ type lump with distinct edges and the reality can be very different - as I tell whichever of my female friends and relatives who will listen nowadays.
Thanks puffy, good to see i’m not alone. I was lucky to have been referred by the doctor i saw as when i saw her again after my diagnosis she said they dont always refer as its rearely cancer in someone my age. Thank god she did for me. I’d always been under the impression it was a hard, pea-sized lump too and something else i’ve realised is that its not so rare in younger women either. I too shall forever be hammering home the facts to my female friends and relartives. x