I've found a lump

Public Archive
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Hi Everyone
I’ve been reading lots of posts on this forum and I think the support is wonderful.
Here is my story:
I found a lump a few days ago. I’ve seen my GP who has referred me to the breast clinic. My appointment is Jan 16th. I am 47 and I have 3 children aged 12,15 and 17. There is no family history of female cancers, I have never smoked, rarely drink, am a healthy weight, and I breastfed my children. In theory, my risk of cancer should be very low.
Problem is, my lump isn’t cooperating. It just doesn’t match the descriptions of benign lumps. It is about 3cm long and about 1-2 cm wide. It’s on my right breast, quite near the nipple but upward and to the outside of it. It is very hard, and feels mottled or stipply - rough in texture. It’s not circular or oval, but long and irregular. It’s not squishy like a cyst, and I probably don’t have the hormones for a fibroadenoma (I’ve had a mirena in place for the past year, and am probably perimenopausal).
BUT the lump is mobile. It seems to be attached to -or part of - the soft, moveable part of my breast, rather than anchored to my chest wall or to anything. Surely this could be something benign?
i know you can’t actually tell me what it is. The tests will do that. Problem is, I’m a health professional myself and the health professional part of my brain is worrying over this as if it was a puzzle to be solved.
Meanwhile I am of course, emotionally struggling to deal with it all. I keep checking, expecting the lump to have disappeared (cos it just shouldn’t bloody be there!) but it is.
i phoned the hospital about getting a cancellation appointment, but it seems they work on a day-by-day basis, so asked me to phone in each morning about cancellations for that day. So I will.
So here I am, asking ‘Have I got breast cancer?’
thanks!
Cailin

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Dear Cailin

Welcome to the forum. I’m sure other members will soon be along to offer you some support.

May I also suggest you give our Helpline a call just to talk things over. They are open from 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays. The number is 0808 800 6000. Calls are free and confidential.

Take care

Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

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I will - thanks Janet.
I’ve just been offered a cancellation appointment for tomorrow. So just one more night of not knowing.

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Hi Cailin good luck for tomorrow, let us know how you go on love junieliz x

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All the very best for tomorrow, fingers and toes crossed for you and lots of hugs xx

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Hi Cailin9,
It is so worrying to be where you are now, and with the added “burden” of being a health professional yourself I can imagine that you are finding this wait very hard! I think all of us who have found a lump, or have been alerted to a problem by mammogram can vividly remember the horrid time we had waiting for the initial appointments/diagnosis etc.
I am sorry, I cannot tell you if the lump is benign or not. I DO hope that when you finally get seen you will be given the news that you have nothing to worry about though, obviously. Just wanted to say “Hi” and wish you good luck. This is a difficult time to get through but hopefully your good genes and lifestyle will stand you in good stead.
All the very best for a good result.
V

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Hey there. I know what your going through as 36 year old mum I really got in a state over the first lump i found, convinced myself it didn’t feel like a cyst…it was a cyst. Now obviously we have no way of knowing if yours is benign or not, but the majority of lumps aren’t cancer. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you and please do let us know how you get on.

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Hi Cailin9
just wanted to wish you the very best of luck for tomorrow. I too am a health care professional, an oncology staff nurse to be exact! So I know how your mind can go into overdrive!!
Sending you lots of positive thoughts.
Let us know how you get on tomorrow.
Keeping everything crossed for you
Mandy xx

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Hi Cailin9, heres hoping all goes well for you tomorrow , keep us posted, best of luck.
Tina x

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Hi Cailin9, I have everything crossed for you for tomorrow…I am in the exact same position as you…
I have been ‘drawn’ to my left breast feeling there was something not quite right, and the other week I found a sort of long thickened area going towards my armpit. I also feel like there is something under my armpit (like my clothes are bunched up). For a long time I’ve been having pins and needles in my left arm and it is often ‘dead’ during the night, causing me to wake up as the pins and needles ‘get to work’.
My breast has a sort of aching/burning sensation in it - but no pinkness/heat radiating, and no dimpling etc.
I went to my GP last Friday and was put on the 2 week referral. I had a call this Tues saying that tey have made an appintment for me in 2 weeks. My appointment is on the 22nd Jan.
My mum’s mum & sister both had BC, so I am convinced I have it too :frowning:
Wishing you all the very best
Aneata xxx

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Thanks for your support everybody -I went this morning and it was a cyst! Even the specialist was surprised because it felt so hard and bumpy! Just goes to show there really are no answers until they’ve done the scans at least.
I do hope that other women with my symptoms might see my post- and my outcome - and take some reassurance from it.
Thanks to all of you - and to Jane I spoke to on the helpline - for helping me get through this difficult time. I really appreciate it - it genuinely helped me through.

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So pleased for you - you can breathe now xx

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hi Caillin,oh im pleased for you,what a releif,eh.ive not long finished all my treatment ,but can never forget those hours of anxiety when you want to know but dont. take care .