As the title says. I’m 57 and found a lump last weekend which GP has estimated at around 50mm. Appointment for tests isn’t until 17 December and I’m torturing myself with Google, so I need something to counteract that (particularly as I’ve also semi convinced myself that the longish term pain in my bum and hips that I’d dismissed as soft tissue might be bone mets). I’m so glad that this site was recommended to me and wondered if anyone out there had a similarly large tumour at the start and is happy to share anything positive to get me through the waiting spiral.
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In May 2024 I discovered a 3.5cm breast lump and a 4.5cm lump in the lymph node under my arm.
I had a CT scan after confirmation of my diagnosis and by that time I had convinced myself that every single cell in my body contained cancer. The CT scan was completely clear.
I had chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Yesterday I got the news that my first year mammogram result was clear - no evidence of cancer.
You are in the scariest time as nothing is certain and anything is possible. When they have seen you and taken biopsies etc they will know exactly what type of cancer you are dealing with - there are many different types!! Then a treatment plan will be suggested depending on your personal breast cancer and what’s best for you to treat it. I found that once I had the plan and knew what would happen then it was marginally less scary.
The treatment is not a walk in the park and will be difficult but you can do it. Try not to Google as you get a distorted view of things, often from America where things may be different, and often from people who are upset, bear a grudge, or are angry with their treatment, whereas the contented ones don’t post!!
This forum is wonderful for good advice about all sorts of things. Also you can phone/message the nurses if you need to. Try not to be imagining every scenario as it may not be relevant to you. Really hard to do I know. Until your appointment do nice things, spoils yourself, possibly do Christmassy things, and getting organised for Christmas? I cant imagine they’ll do anything befor Christmas but you never know and being organised will reassure you!
You may feel you can’t do this but you can can you will. Good luck and lots of hugs xx
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Thank you -what a lovely reply. Thank you for taking the time to share your story.
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I don’t have my positive story (yet!!) but I just wanted you to know you are not alone. My tumour was 4cm but actually 9cm of cancer on MRI as mostly lobular type. I was sent for CT and never been more surprised to hear it showed no other concerns.
The waiting is the hardest part. I started chemo last week. Wishing you the best.
Stay off Google! X
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Hi
Not got any positive stories but just wanted to let you know you’re not alone. I went to GP on Monday with breast changes and a small pea size lump. Like your self my appointment is not till the 17th December which seems like forever away. I’m just going to try occupy myself and stop googling but it is hard.
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The way you are feeling is perfect normal and most of us if not all felt exactly the same. I am now 2.5 years since my diagnosis and touch wood feeling well. Mine was diagnosed from a routine mammogram where they seen a very small area. Fast forward after my initial investigations tumor was lobular, multi focal and 9cm!. Thankfully no lymph node involvement. My treatment was mastectomy, reconstruction and reduction on the other side then radiotherapy and now on Letrozole and alendronic acid.
Try not to overthink every tiny ache or pain. Focus on the fact it has been found and treatments are getting better all the time. I do know that is easier said than done 
. Good luck with your journey and just take one day at a time xxx
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Thank you all so much. I’m really struggling today. I’ve managed to get a cancellation for Monday morning, which I was really pleased about yesterday, but today there’s a bit of me wants to stay in the not knowing bubble where it could go either way.
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@al1kat hugs to you xx Managing to get an appointment on Monday is good, not to say miraculous!! Well done 
I understand you wanting to stay in the not knowing bubble, as once you are told you can’t unknow that information. But actually that brings it’s own anxieties because of the uncertainty. Once they tell you exactly what you’re dealing with, while shocking, upsetting and the last information you want to hear, it does mean that you will have a clear idea of what needs to be done and how your next few months will pan out. Yes there are anxieties about the treatments but the waiting is over and you know what will happen.
Anyone who can get their appointment brought forward by 17 days in the month before Christmas is obviously a SUPERWOMAN so you can do this xx
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I was astonished! Actually, I think it’s just good systems at my local hospital. I only phoned yesterday because a colleague persuaded me to ask what their cancellation policy was. I phoned in the morning and was told that they didn’t have anything but that they got cancellations all the time, particularly Friday pm for Monday morning and that I should phone to ask as often as I wanted. I phoned back at 4pm and was told that the emergency slot they had hadn’t been booked, so I could have that one. (I thought at first it must be that I was even worse than I thought, and then realised he’d offered the slot before he asked my name )
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Excellent! There was a free slot and they didn’t want to waste it!! Sounds like a good system and put together thinking.
Try and enjoy your weekend xx I’m off to the butcher to order a turkey 
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Just turned 58. In June the MRI said 7.3cms but the tumor they removed in August turned out to be 3.8cms. I have just finished 10 sessions of radiotherapy and no need for Chemo as my oncoscore was 11 and my lymph nodes were clear. I wish someone had told me sooner to keep of Google and only look at responsible websites like this one.
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Hi - I’m 59 and was diagnosed with Lobular in June this year , with an 83mm tumour near the nipple , I had a skin sparing Diep mastectomy, they also offered a nipple sparing procedure but couldn’t guarantee removing all the cancer cells ,I had googled the above and it said any doubt will increase or add further treatment , I opted for it to be removed as I did not want to take any risks , luckily 3 lymph nodes came back all clear, and no further treatment was needed, they said I would had to have radiotherapy if I kept my nipple so glad it’s gone ! Just on hormone blockers for 5 years now and 9 weeks post surgery and feeling good
At this early stage google is not your friend , once you know what your diagnosis is, then you can google specific questions for your situation, I also found Pinterest useful with other people’s experiences, but I did limit my time searching , as it’s easy to get to deep sometimes , no two people’s diagnoses are the same,
Looking back I would tell myself to take one appointment at a time , be prepared for treatment plans to change after every scan or test , - initially I was down for a lumpectomy and not to overthink in between appointments- easier said than done , but what is printed on your paperwork is not going to change however stressed you get beforehand
Take each Day as it comes , it is a rollercoaster ride, be kind to yourself and there is a lot of help out there - future dreams in London was fab , you are actually stronger than you think , got fed up hearing this , but it is so true x
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I had a large tumour on diagnosis in 2019 , 10cm total area. They immediately sent for MRI and CT and bone scans. I also convinced myself that the pain I had in my back was sinister but all turned out to be normal back things and some other incidental findings. Just take each step at a time and try to deal only in facts. Best of luck x
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