Hi, i am in my early sixties. `no history in the family at all of any sort of cancer. Never gone in for self examination, and never took up the offers of breast screening.
Laid in bed this morning,dont know what made me feel my breast, but instantly found a lump. Not sore, about the size of a pea. Goodness knows how I found it because I now have to hunt quite hard to relocate it. It is oval and smooth but too deep for me to tell if it moves.
Obviously I will book an appointment to have it checked, despite my huge fear of all clinical proceedures. I have done the internet research this morning, and they do say most lumps are benign, but the list of benign reasons seem to be related to younger women, so that is giving me some cause for concern. But I am still feeling optomistic
Its just that who can I discuss this with. My husband was about to leave on a trip to see my son in Denmark when I fond it, seemed wrong to tell him and spoil his trip. My daughter is arriving today with her new baby. But she is such a worrier, she would freak out if I told her. My best freind,who I discuss everything with lost his wife to breast cancer and is still suffering, so thats not a good idea either.
So I thought i would find a forum for a bit of support.
I tried to find statistics for benign lumps in post menopausal women, but failed, does anyone have this information.
hi oldand lumpy
welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of support on here, and you can either come on to get information, chat or vent your feelings, etc, everyone is really kind and helpful,
you need to get to your gp asap, obviously and get checked out, as you say it may be innocent, and hopefully it is,
i am sorry i cannot give you any medical information, but i am sure someone wiil come along to be who will be able to help you out,
keep posting and let us know how you get on,
lots of love liz xxxx
Bother, just looked in mirror, and there is definately a very slight indentation just where the lumb is. I wonder if a couple of days matters, can i wait till she goes tomorrow afternoon?
bother, just looked in mirror and there is definately a slight indentation where the lump is, no need to hunt for it now, I can see where it is.do benign lumps affect the skin? probably not.
but i dont think i will see the doc today,will wait till thursday when my daughter has gone. Would not be right that she knew and my husband did not. Got an appointment for thursday afternoon.
Hi oldandlumpy,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for some good support as the users of this site have a wealth of knowledge and experience between them.
After reading your posts, you sound as if you’ve got no one at the moment to talk to about this, could I suggest you phone the helpline here and have a chat with one of the staff? Calls to the helpline are free, lines are open now (9-5 Mon to Fri and Sat 9-2) 0808 800 6000. Do make an appointment to see your GP and get it checked out though.
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi OAL
It’s better to be seen asap. That said, I’d think it is highly unlikely that a day or two will make any difference.
The usual wait to be seen at a breast clinic seems to be about two weeks for an urgent referral. They will probably do a mammogram, take a look and then do a biopsy if they think that’s needed. I waited 10 days for my biopsy result.
From what I’ve seen in these forums, breast cancer can present in a variety of different ways so it’s impossible to guess. Similarly there are other things that are benign and not breast cancer. You need the specialist knowledge of a hospital consultant.
I’ll keep everything crossed that it’s benign. Please let us know how you get on. take care, Elinda x
Hi OAL, I am similar to you in age and I understand what you say about not worrying other people.
I’m glad you’ve made the appointment. A day or two won’t make any difference, but the sooner it’s checked the better. Some non-cancerous conditions still need treatment, and if it is a tumour then the sooner treatment begins the better the outcome and the sooner it’s all over.
I am very glad I have always gone for screening, because I have had two tumours picked up when they were far too small to be felt, even by an experienced surgeon who knew what to feel for and where it was. So even if you get the all clear on this, PLEASE attend any further screenings. No, mammograms are not pleasant experiences, but the alternative is much, much worse. Being over 60 is a big risk factor all on its own, however healthy you are otherwise.
Best wishes
Cheryl
Hi Old and Lumpy - what a name!
Yes, great you’re getting it checked out soon. Try not to worry in meantime (!). Hope it’s nothing - let us know if you feel up to it.
All the best, Sarahx
Hi OAL - Fab name!
The waiting is horrid!! And I hope it is all for nothing and in a few weeks you will be back to your ‘normal life’. However, if this is not the case, than we will all be here to support - and hopefully make you laugh along the way!!
I hope you have a fab time with your daughter and not too many sleepless nights with worry - or the baby!!
Hugs
Sadie xx xx
Hi Oldandlumpy
I’m 64 now and was diagnosed when I was 61. As other people have said on here most breast lumps aren’t cancerous but obviously you need to get it checked out.
I can understand what you say about not doing self examinations, I never did and still don’t now but I did go for my mammograms and that was how my lump was found.
I think you need to be thinking of yourself a bit and putting yourself first instead of thinking about who will be upset. It’s what we women do best, put everyone else’s feelings before our own, it’s also a good excuse not to have to go to the docs.
You will be worried so you need to go and find out what it is.
Let us know how you get on on Thursday.
Sending you love
Jan xxx
Thankyou everybody for your support. I go to the doctors today. It has definately grown. On Tuesday I was describing it as a pea, and it was hard to find, needed to dig around, now it is more like a baked bean and can easily be felt from the surface.
I suppose it is expensive to get private treatment, but it is very worrying to read about NHS cuts and to wonder how they will effect my treatment
All the more reason to get things under way.
The only complaints I have about my NHS treatment at a very large centre is that sometimes I have had to wait for hours. Usually there has been a reason, but it’s still not an enjoyable process, especially when you are anxious. Remember that the NHS is also set up to cope with emergencies and that some forms of treatment are very expensive.
I hope, however, that you won’t need any drastic or expensive treatment. Let us know what the doctor says.
Cheryl