I have found a lump in my left breast between the nipple and crease underneath. It feels approx 2/3 cm and an oval or lozenge type of shape. Where I keep checking it, it starts to ache, but no “pain”. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how do/did your lumps feel? And were they cancerous or not?
I plan to make an appointment to get it checked, just need some reassurance through the weekend.
I found the lump approx a month ago and left it, as I read you need to see a menstrual cycle through, to check it is not hormonal.
Hi
Dont know if this will help because i had a searing pain before i found my lump but its what made me look, lump was in my right breast under the armpit it felt like a small pebble hard and not able to move it, any lump should be checked just to be safe, cysts apparently are more squishy and pliable so my dr said, good luck with yours
I didn’t know I had a lump or two, I was recalled after my first mammogram, both very deep so I wouldn’t have found them for a long time according to onc. Make your appointment as soon as possible, the very best of luck to you, keep posting and take care xx
I would definitely check it out as no one here can tell you for sure given how much lumps vary. I have had both benign (cysts), benign thickening and a bc lump. I was told that cysts are often - but not always smoother on the surface and seem less “rooted” in one place but it really isn’t easy to generalise and your GP should be able to refer you quickly to be checked out.
Hang onto the fact that most lumps are benign but it is definitely the right thing to get it checked out. Fingers crossed for you xx
I am beginning to feel like a hypercondriac as I have only just been into hospital for a procedure to find that I have diverticulae and need to go back to discuss laxatives!
So I will hopefully combine the two things at one appointment.
I have made my appointment and it is this Thursday at 9.10am. I have 2 essays to do for college and I just can’t concentrate!!! I have got a Dr (male) at the practice that is quite relaxed so am wondering how the appointment will go.
Do I assume correctly that the Dr will not be able to tell on examining me what my lump is and refer me to a breast clinic of some kind? Or can the Dr’s tell what my lump is, just by touch alone?
If so, why do we have this service to go through the GP at all? Why do we not go directly to a breast clinic?
I would be interested to hear your opinions on this
Hiya
I can only say that when I found my lump my dr examined me and refered me to the breast clinic straight away, I think they tend to have an inkling on what needs checking , my dr is also a very laid back man but when it comes to these sorts of things hes top notch, I was sent to Royal marsden on the 2 week referal basis and had my appointment/tests within 10 days, good luck try not to drive yourself crazy as lots of the ladies have said many lumps are benign or cysts, You are doing the best thing by getting it checked and ps we all suffer from some sort of hyperchondria once lumps are found…totally natural I think we are only human after all
Just getting on my soapbox about the system as it is new to me lol.
Yes, you are right, thinking the worst. I am a realist though, I would say, as in I feel I will get a cancer at some point in my life as I have lost my sister, Mum, cousin, to cancer and my Mum’s sister had skin cancers and my cousin has had treatments for cancer - both successfully.
I don’t feel negatively about my future as I beleive in catching things early is the key.
I just want the appointment out of the way - sitting here writing about thyroid glands and hormones (essay) - just isn’t helping LOL.
Hi Squib
Im ok 2 weeks post op, lot of pain/discomfort but to be expected, went back to work yesterday for first time took my mind off impending ct scan/muga scan this week, seeing onc on tuesday next for treatment plan, its very surreal once you know you have bc you just want to get on with it all… worse thing is the waiting for results etc then the actual yes you have bc, once all thats been heaped upon you, you seem to be ok lets get this show on the road attitude, well i did anyway, I can totally understand now with your family dx’s my goodness if you were’nt worried id be worried for you ! be strong … remember when the going gets tough the tough get going x
Hi Squib
Im only back for as couple of afternoons a week 1-5pm so its nice to be in the normal world and as i say stops me fretting for that time about ct scan/results etc, Im just on normal paracetamol and anti inflamatory if i need them, The Muga scan is to check my heart make sure its ok before the chemo, standard practice, let me know how things go with your appointment, any qualms/worries if i can help either PM me or post on here
Yes, being at college is taking my mind off of it, and like you say - being in the real world - I understand that statement from when I had my first child - being at home looking after her - I felt invisible to society - no work - not much money - etc… a little part-time job made me feel human again, it is weird feeling on the “edge” of society - for whatever reason - like not belonging.
Is it OK with your company - are they being supportive? I hope so
I am doing the roller coaster of thinking “don’t be silly it will be nothing” to cuddling my kids in case this is it!!! Quite normal I guess…
I didn’t know you could PM on here, I guess I just click on your name.
Oh, so they check your heart before chemo - I didn’t know that. Can the heart take a bashing from the chemo then?
Hi Squibbitus
Yes my company have been great, leaving it up to me when I go in and for how long so im lucky,
Totally natural your emotions are all over the place, I was the same waiting for diagnosis, laughing one min and in floods of tears the next, Passed that now more settled now I know what im up against but dont get me wrong still get the teary moment, I wont say im not scared that would be silly but im a little more adjusted, but im still at the very early stages of treatment got chemo to contend with next !!!
Yes the heart scan is to check its all ok/healthy as I believe chemo could take its toll if its not, be nice to check ive got one and its beating :0)
To PM just click on name and you have the option to send a message, so anytime i pop on here in the evening to touch base
Was sooooo nervous this morning, sitting in the waiting room - read every leaflet and notice lol!! My Dr was lovely, he had a feel around and told me I have lumpy breasts - I didn’t know that - learning more about my body the older I get
He did say it was in a place that is not common for problems but then clicked on the computer to refer me and the headed form popped up with BREAST CANCER SCREENING REQUEST on it!! That was a bit of a shock - they could word it a bit more gently - as not all lumps are cancerous…
So I have been referred using the 2 week fast track thingy - so that is good. So just waiting for date now to have all the tests…
I did actually ask about why we don’t just go straight to a clinic, to save appointments with GP’s if all they can do is refer you and he said that it will probably come in the future, but at the moment it wittles out the unecessary appointments (time wasters) so I was happy with that answer
He was very patient with me and we chatted about the NHS and money etc (not for ages) it was not a rushed appointment.
And he always has a habit of shaking your hand at the end of the appointment which is nice - but also makes me feel like perhaps there is something wrong so he is giving me a compassionate hand-shake - does that make sense? I don’t know if he remembers but he came to our house when my Mum was living here (palliative care) and he gave me a knowing look and I can’t remember if it was a handshake or a shoulder pat. I am not againsted touchy feely, I think it is nice…but worrying at the same time…strange…lol
So now I am going to spend time looking up all the wonderful procedures I will be going through… What were your tests like?
Hi Squib
Im sure he shakes everyones hand if he likes them lol, Its good to be refered to the clinic as you will get all tests done out of way in one day if they think its necessary,
At my appointment, i had meeting with consultant 1st he examined me and did area scan, saw lump and sent me for mamo, Then i had a full scan of area with biopsy’s x 3, you will prob only have all if the consultant finds anything suspicious, or you may have mamo and scan but not biops if they are sure its nothing to worry about,
at my tests i saw the consultant before i left and he told me he was preety sure it was bc, he wanted to prepare me i think and the results came through a week later, and confirmed it, You shoulkd prob get your appoinment within 10 days i think they try to.
Your GP has done the right thing in referring you as there is no accurate way to determine breast cancer from the feel of a lump. Both my GP and the 1st person who examined me at my referral both commented that my lump felt nice and smooth which made me think everything was fine, but my mammogram, ultra-sound and biopsy proved otherwise.
As for your GP’s manner, just be grateful that he is a compassionate doctor with time for his patients and that he didn’t dismiss you as a neurotic woman. It sounds as if he has a very nice bedside manner, and if your diagnosis is not the one you are hoping for then at least you know that you will be able to talk over your treatment with an understanding doctor.
In the meantime please try not to do too much looking up as you will only end up worrying yourself even more silly than you currently are. You could always give the hospital where your referral has been sent to find out what procedures you can expect to be carried out, and maybe they could send you some literature in the meantime.
Thanks for the info. I have just bumped into a friend this evening who has just had part of her thyroid removed - her needle biopsy said it was benign, now they have removed 1/2 of it, they are not so sure. She has been waiting 3 weeks for results as they are being sent all over the place for double checking - meanwhile she is worrying herself silly
She also told me to check they have actually recieved the fax at the hospital as hers did not come through, so she had to chase it up and wait an extra week for her initial appointment!! She is seeing the same consultant as me and says he is brilliant so that is good.
Yes, I have just read up on the tests - I can deal with that - I think I will worry more that they have checked me properly and not missed anything!!
I am glad your company is being flexible with you, that must really help.
Yes, I think my Dr is friendly sort of chap who values touch, which I think is nice these days with all this “can’t put suncream on your kids” business, etc…!! and political correctness…but that is another story and another soapbox LOL
Oh no, please don’t get me wrong, I think it is wonderful that my Dr is touchy feely (as I call it) and I really appreciate it - it is just the last time he did this to me, my Mum was dying, so instead of him saying “I am very sorry” or equivalent, he gave me a compassionate hand shake or pat (can’t remember which) or that is how it seemed to me. His touch “said” alot, if that makes sense??
Yes, that is a good idea to ring the department in the hospital, I could ask for any advice/literature while I am checking to see if they got the fax !!
I am one of those types that would go crazy “not knowing” rather than finding out the worse case senario - just the way I am I feel knowledge is power and also leads you into asking good questions when necessary
