I have been reading on here for the last 5 weeks since I found a lump in my breast. I wondered if anyone could give me some advice please.
Four years ago I had a mammogram and ultrasound on a lump which turned out to be a cyst, so I didnt worry about it.
Five weeks ago I found another 2 lumps, went to my dr who was concerened as she also found 1 lump in my armpit as the lumps were quite painful. She did a urgent referral and I got seen 10 days later. My mammogram and ultrasound didnt detect anything, not even the cyst I went with 4 years ago even though its still there. I went to see the breast surgeon later that day. I saw a young man who on examining me said he could feel 4 or 5 lumps he was not happy with and went to get the consultant. He could also feel them (but did not go to the part with the lump I actually went with). He only did a FNA on one lump and that was the cyst from 4 years ago and said to return in 6 weeks but he did say I might have to have another mammo and ultrasound with a different reader and maybe a excision to remove them. I know if the FNA had come back with anything I would have been recalled earlier but over the last 5 weeks the lump I orginally went with has got a little bigger. When I went for my tests I had started my period earlier and couldnt feel the lumps quite as easy, but after I had gone off they came back more pronounced. I am know on my period again and although I can still feel them they are not as pronounced again, so does been on my period disguse them? and what should I be saying to my consultant in 2 weeks when I go back as I’ve already had 5 very worrying weeks. Sorry its such a long post.
Hi Shergar,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for support, as the many informed users of this site have a wealth of information between them.
If you feel you need to talk to someone in confidence then please do phone the helpline, the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues. The lines are open again on Tuesday this week due to the Bank Holiday but normal operating hours are Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm
calls to the helpline are free, 0808 800 6000.
Hope this helps. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Thanks Jo
I will have to ring next Saturday as im at work until 5pm.
Shergar
Of course you arent sure what to think - but this does need to be sorted out with a definite answer…my lump was dismmised for a few weeks as hormonal and that did not turn out well. I doubt the delay mattered for me, but the message is you need an answer.
When you go back guide you doctor to each lump you are concerned with ask him how he is going to tell you why each lump is benign or cancer, if you are unhappy with the answer (which I think won’t happen as they are recalling you again) just tell them. You have to come out of there with a clear plan of action.
cathyx
Hi Shergar
As Cathy says, this definitely needs to be sorted. When I was diagnosed, I had cysts as well as a tumour so think Cathy’s advice of guiding the dr to each and every one of the lumps is important, and asking him what he is looking for when he makes that decision of benign or cancerous.
Hopefully all your lumps are indeed cysts (which in my experience can grow quite quickly in size) but you do need to know (for your own peace of mind) that they have looked at each and every one of them.
Good luck. Kay
I have had my lump for nine months now and i was told three times it was hormonal because of being pregnant then breast feeding.
Its not the case as finally someone sent me to hospital and i have a 2cm, high grade cancerous lump.
Breast feeding makes your breasts lumpy so i slipped through the net. I thought the lump fluctuated in size too
I guess the message is keep nagging until you get the info you want and need.
Now waiting to start whole process of killing the bc with a 9mth old and a 2 yr old…
Thank you all for you replies. I will be more prepared for my appointment this time,as last time I thought I had the all clear with my mammo and ultrasound been clear and was very shocked when the consultant said they still had concerns. A friend also told me they cant be cysts as cysts show up on mammo and ultrasounds, but I dont know if thats true or not.
I hope you are all doing ok and wish you all the luck with your treatment.
Hi Shergar
I can perhaps clarify some of the stuff you are confused by, but I apologise if I in any way alarm you…!
Mammos and US “usually” show up cysts and any “dense” abnormalities, but the are not infallible and just as easily might not show. Also, certain BCs like ILC are often sneaky and may only be detected by biopsy.
I have had a lumps that were low grade IDC cancer that haven’t shown up, so it is always best to get a biopsy done to be absolutely sure. However if they are not showing up on US, if I were you, I would ask for a breast MRi which are far more detailed/accurate. Saying that just cos a doc says he’s “concerned” still doesn’t mean you’ve got BC, but you must make sure you haven’t got it. Remember 9 out of 10 lumps are benign!
Sending you love and luck
Nikkix
Thanks for that Nikki. I am trying to stay as calm as I can as I understand 9 out of 10 lumps are benign but as he did the biopsy out of the 1 lump I was told was a cyst 4 years ago and not the other lumps I feel I have waited 6 weeks for nothing and not sure what to expect when I go back on the 18th May. I will do as everyone as said and ask what every individual lump is, I just worry he’ll think I am been a nusiance but it is my health at the end of the day, and as you say some cancers dont always show up.
Thanks again
This forum is so helpful and supportive.
Well I’ve been back to the hospital today and what a waste of time. After waiting over an hour for my appointment I saw an elderly man who didnt seem interested in what I was saying. He said the result of the FNA was fatty tissue which I said I knew it would be as I told that is what is was four years ago and he says as the mammo and u/s were clear then that was it. I was trying to be assertive and asked what about the 2 lumps I came with, I showed him one which he touched softly for about 2 seconds and said yes thats fine, fatty tissue to I asked about the ones the other consultant found 6 weeks ago and he said they would be fatty tissues I asked how he knew as he hadnt examined me and he said because the mammo and u/s were clear then they would be fatty tissue. I was only with him for about 5 mins and he didnt make me feel confident in what my lumps were. What should I do know? I am going back to my drs next week for something else but will mention this to them. Any advice please.
Hi Shergar, What a time for you, it’s awful when you don’t seem to be getting anywhere isn’t it? Could you ask for a breast MRI, don’t know whether gp’s can do that but then you would know for certain what these lumps are? Good luck
Smiler
x