Hi,
About 4 weeks ago, I noticed a thickening in the upper part of my right breast. The beginning of last week I started to get some discomfort which I can only describe as like a hot pulling sensation,so I self examined and found a lump in my breast (just above the aereola.) I phoned the doctor who saw me on Friday morning. She said that she was as sure as she could be that it was nothing sinister and that I was to go back in 2 weeks time. Yesterday morning whilst shopping, I had pain in my right shoulder and when feeling around the area noticed that I had another lump (the size of a baked bean.) This morning I phoned a lovely lady on the bcc helpline who told me not to wait the 2 weeks and go back to the doctor and ask for a referral to the breast clinic. My doctor has seen me this morning, said that she is 99% sure that I have fibrocystic breast disease and to go back on the 7th of May as planned unless the new lump increases to the size of a 10p coin. She said that she is unable to refer me to the breast clinic as I don’t meet GP guidlelines for referral. I understand this, but it doesn’t stop me worrying and I wondered whether anyone else has had similar experiences. Thanks x
HI THERE,
I have had the same thing happen to me. I have had the same type all my life however with my sister having the same thing that turned into BC I got even more worried, today she goes through kemo and i am waiting for the surgeon to remove my lumps.
they will not tell me why my nipple has inverted they will not tell me why areole has changed in shape, all the will tell me is we need more test you pay we will test.
if I were you I would make them test them. make sure if they give you a biopsy they don’t tell you its a normal breast tissue, that means they didn’t hit the lump…
Dear tricksterswif
If I were you I would go back to your GP (perhaps a different one) and ask for an urgent referral. It could turn out to be nothing serious but the sooner you are seen the better on both accounts -condition and anxiety. The waiting alone is a very anxious time.
Guidelines are only guidelines. I quote for a letter I received after I was misdiagnosed. “Referral guidelines may be used by General Practitioners, in combination with other evidence and clinical judgement. Referral Guidelines are not however, and cannot be, exhaustive and are based on the commonest ways particular diseases may present. In addition to guidelines clinical judgement should and will play an important part in reaching any clinical decision.”
If your mind is worried and you have noticed changes in your breast I think you should ask for an urgent referral.
Good luck and I hope all goes well for you.
Jeannie
Hi There,
I would definately ask for a referal. My doctor said my lump didn’t look suspicious and was convinced it was nothing but would refer me anyway as she said they don’t take chances with lumps. Turned out to be cancer, so nothing should be left to touch or sight alone!!!
Hope all goes well and you get it tested.
Fiona xxxx
Thanks a lot for your replies ladies. I’m sorry that you are in the position that you can reply (ie - worried about or have breast cancer.)
I’ve felt more upset today when I should be feeling relieved, because I can’t help thinking “what if she’s wrong?” Trouble is, she is a very nice, but very scary doctor and even though I told her that the BCC lady said I should ask for an urgent referral, she still refused. I’m 39 years old, I should be able to stand up for myself! I don’t really know what to do, I’m so confused.
Is there another doctor at your surgery? if so ask for an appointment to see them, at least then you will get a second opinion.
All the best
Fiona
I went to my GP with a lump and was told “you’d be very unlucky to get BC at your age, go away and forget about it”.
6 years later I was back at the GP with severe pain and thickening in that area, this was a different GP who said she didn’t think it was anything but she would put me on a non-urgent referral.
I was scanned 9 weeks later and unfortunately by the time I was diagnosed the cancer had spread to a lymph node.
Please see a different GP and make a fuss, write to the practice manager and complain if the next one won’t refer you.
It might well be nothing but better to be safe.
Hi Starflower, thanks for the message. I went back to see my GP on Friday (the 8th) which was after the 2 weeks that she specified. The lumps and thickening are the same and the pain has become a kind of pulling from within sensation and so she has done an urgent referral to breast clinic. I have since posted in the worried section, asking for advice. I wish she had referred me 2 weeks ago, all this worrying could have been over. I hope you are doing ok with your treatment.
Best wishes,
Kaz x
Hi Kaz,
I’m so glad to hear your GP has agreed to a referral, have everything crossed for you that it turns out to be benign. I will look out for your posts.
Touch wood am OK at the moment and back at work!
Starflower x
Hi Ladies, I hope you are all dealing as best as you can with your diagnosis. After reading threads from everyone, I feel like a fraud… I’m really worried though ! I visited the breast clinic a couple of years ago and was diagnosed with fibroedma, now the lump feels bigger and I also have thickening and what feels like lumps under my other arm… I have an appointment for next Tues 23 Jun at the breast clinic but I am worried sick and can’t sleep etc at the moment. Can begnin lumps change and become cancerous? I feel like I’m going mad waiting for this appointment. Also, I was going to ask at the clinic about other problems I’m having. I’m 47yrs old and hadn’t had a period for about 3 months but did have spotting or bleeding after sex or any strenuous exercise (I have now started a period today which is really heavy and painful), I am hoping that the breast lumps and under arm lumps are hormonal and that the gyny stuff is linked to it. Roll on next Tues when hopefully I will have some answers. Has anyone else had anything similar?
hi
its such a worry,i would go back again,hopefully it is a cyst but better be safe then sorry,fingerscrossed you will be fine,i had loads of cyst and understand how you feel
good luck
sandra xx