Good Morning,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2021. I had had clear mammograms in April 2021 when nothing was detected, although I have very dense breast tissue, and therefore an interval cancer. A core biopsy showed intermediate DCIS , the core biopsy had been very difficult to obtain due to the density of my breast tissue.
Unfortunately i broke the same side wrist the day after MRI scan and my surgery was postponed. During this time I informed the Breast Nurse via the phone that the lump felt as if it had doubled in size but with out seeing me told me that it would have been a consequence of the core biopsy 8 weeks previously.
I then had to wait a period of 4 months prior to surgery.
The final result was an aggressive triple positive tumour which had progressed from initial diagnosis with unclear margins and I am now at very high risk of metastatic disease. The margins were cleared a month later.
In the February following completion of radiotherapy and chemotherapy whilst still on herceptin, I felt 2 small lumps near the scar. I had these checked by 2 oncology Nurses. I felt they were changing in size so they were left. On my requesting an examination by the consultant on a pre assessment for further preventative treatment , neratinib, it was the start of a nightmare journey of the 2 small tumours not being seen on MRI or mammography and not being big enough for core biopsy and my Consultant seemingly not knowing what to do. An excision biopsy showed 2 small local recurrences 5mm and 1mm and I had a mastectomy and change of AI inhibitor. No further treatment for the HER2 receptor.
I now have a small area approximately an inch from the scar which is again small and feels very similar to the recurrences to me.
I phoned and was seen by the breast care nurse who seemed unsure but felt it was OK and I was to check it weekly . She said it wasn’t in breast tissue but of course some breast tissue can be left during mastectomy and I now feel rather vulnerable , anxious and left not really knowing what this small hard area is but which I have been left with the responsibility of " keeping an eye on"
I just don’t know where to go from here and would value your advice.
insist your trust do proper checks and scans not just have a feel, you need peace of mind say if anything’s a miss you will hold the trust accountable for negligence. That’s what I would personally do. I’m sure others will pop on too. You know your body better than anyone do let us know how you get on 
Shi xx
Hi Sparrowhawk
Thanks for posting.
It sounds as though you have a had a difficult time following your diagnosis in 2021 and again when you later noticed two small lumps that proved to be a recurrence
It’s understandable that you are worried now that you have found another small lump an inch away from your scar. Changes to the chest area following mastectomy, such as the lump you have noticed, are not necessarily a sign of a breast cancer recurrence. However, whilst the risk of a breast cancer returning is generally lower, it is still possible. So, it’s important to get any new changes checked out as you are trying to do and to get back to your treatment team, as @Shi suggested. Explain that you are unhappy with keeping an eye on this new lump as suggested by the breast care nurse when you saw her. You can ask for an appointment with the surgeon to discuss what further investigations might determine the cause of the lump.
If your treatment team do not wish to investigate further at this time, you can talk to your GP if you feel a second opinion would be helpful for you. They can refer you to an NHS team or a particular doctor. Seeing a specialist for a second opinion usually involves going to a different hospital. You may be asked if you have a particular hospital (or doctor) you would like to be referred to. Some people choose to pay for a second opinion from a private doctor.
Having a second opinion doesn’t necessarily mean that the second specialist/ treatment team will offer different treatment options or take over your care. If you would like the doctor who has given the second opinion to treat you, this will need to be agreed by your GP and the hospital where you had your second opinion.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events. For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link.
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Best wishes
Eve
Breast Care Nurse
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