This is my first post in this forum. I have been reading through some of the discussions and it feels really comforting to see how supportive everyone is.
I am in my early 30s, and my diagnosis came as a complete surprise. I had no symptoms at all and felt completely normal. I only noticed something unusual while showering one day. At first I was told it was likely a fibroadenoma, so I did not worry too much, but the results after surgery showed something different.
I was diagnosed very early in 2024 and completed all my treatment, including radiotherapy, in my home country. My diagnosis was ER positive, PR positive, and HER2 negative.
I did not need chemotherapy because it was caught at a very early stage and all my scans were clear, including MRI and bone imaging. Genetic testing was also negative, and there is no family history of breast cancer, so everything felt very unexpected.
I later moved to the UK for my postgraduate study, and everything has thankfully been stable since arriving. I recently finished my programme, so I am now navigating life after graduation, looking for work, and adjusting to a new country while continuing Tamoxifen and waiting for my annual check-up.
I have also just started going back to the gym to rebuild my strength and routine.
I am here to introduce myself, learn from others, and connect with people who are navigating long-term recovery. I really appreciate having a space like this.
I found a small lump…smaller than a pea on the under side of one of my breasts. I am a health conscious person so to say im anxious about it is an under statement. The GP has referred me to a breast clinic as she isnt sure what it is. She mentioned about a vessel but she said she should be able to block it or something and she couldn’t?….its slightly paler than the rest of my skin where it’s raised and goes white when I press it. Has anyone had anything like this? What was the outcome?
I was told years ago that my dads cancer (pristate) which he passed away from at 68 has a link to breast cancer so that concerns me also…I’m 43.
Welcome to the forum and I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. It’s worrying enough to find a lump and I can see how having that previous experience would add to the anxiety significantly. Well done for going to the GP and getting the referral though.
I’ve not had any lumps that presented in the way you’ve described here, but I did have three separate lumps checked over the last 15 months that were all different from each other in appearance, two of which were cysts and one of which was cancer. It was impossible to tell what they were without the necessary tests unfortunately and believe me, I tried every time!
I’ve found the best thing to do whilst waiting for appointments, test results etc. is to manage my mental health as best as I can. A lot of that has been through this forum as this experience can be a very lonely one and there’s plenty of support here. I still go down the catastrophe rabbit hole from time to time but I just let myself because I never get stuck there and I’ve usually find I’ve learned something once I’ve found my way out if nothing else.
I really hope your lump is nothing to worry about and wish you the best of luck for you appointment. x
Hi, thanks so much for your response I really appreciate it
I hope your treatment for the cancerous lump is going/went well and you are managing okay
I’m trying hard to ignore it for now, hard when it’s been prodded so many times it feels sore now I’ve always as a habit checked my breasts every night when I have a shower so I was a bit shocked to find this little lump out of the blue….i am praying it’s a cyst or a non cancerous growth. In recent years I had therapy to get over Emetophobia so the thought of having to possibly go through cancer treatment tests that to the absolute limit if I’m honest…I’ve got two kids aged 11 and 13 also so I’m petrified.
Your messaged has helped so thank you hope you are doing well. Will update this forum when I find out xx
Hello and a very warm welcome. Your experience will be invaluable to so many. The focus can often be on the mechanics of going through treatment, but life after treatment, and the fact that a full life can be had is just as important…if not more so.
There’s always anxiety when you are awaiting tests and results and I’ve found the best thing to do is to take a day at a time and if you can resist the urge to Google until you have a better idea of what you are dealing with . Also try to resist the temptation to touch and prod it as you could end up making the area inflamed which won’t help when you are having tests . There are very many benign breast conditions - 98% of women screened are found to be negative . Mine was not but almost everyone in my clinic left looking relieved and several friends and colleagues have told me that they were screened for various reasons and found to have benign conditions which didn’t require treatment .
The worst thing about waiting is the not knowing really - that lack of control over your own life . Many of us think it’s the worst part of it all but we have all got through it so hang in there . You might want to think about having a chat with the Nurses on the helpline 9am to 4 pm Mon to Fri and 9 am to 1 pm Saturday 0808 800 6000 they may be able to explain to you a little better what your Doctor meant and give you a bit more information . Take care and there’s always someone here if you want to reach out again. Xx
Yes, this experience has definitely made me more determined to live the life I truly want. It really reminds me how fragile life can be. Thank you again for the kind welcome
Hi, thank you for sharing. I think the best thing you can do right now is wait for the full assessment at the Breast Clinic, even though I know the waiting period can feel really uncomfortable.
For me, avoiding cancer-related content online helped a lot while I was waiting, because it’s so easy to spiral when you don’t have clear answers yet. It really is a big step to go to the doctor and check things properly, so you’ve already done something incredibly brave.
I hope your appointment brings reassuring news. Sending you strength.
I don’t have a family history either. It’sbaffling to me anda lot ofother women how we got this. I have had two diagnoses one at 48 and one at 67. in the same breast (left one).
Thank you for your kind message, I really appreciate it. That’s reassuring to hear, thank you. I stopped looking into and prodding etc as it doesn’t help atall I’m trying to put it to the back of my mind until my appointment. I’ve ended up booking a private one as I haven’t even heard from the Breast clinic yet…they said phone call within two weeks and then you have to wait for the appointment etc…I just can’t sit on it that long. I’m going in on Monday so I’m keeping everything crossed. Thanks again Xx
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I’ve always as a habit checked my breasts every night when I have a shower so I was a bit shocked to find this little lump out of the blue….i am praying it’s a cyst or a non cancerous growth. In recent years I had therapy to get over Emetophobia so the thought of having to possibly go through cancer treatment tests that to the absolute limit if I’m honest…I’ve got two kids aged 11 and 13 also so I’m petrified.
hope you are doing well. Will update this forum when I find out