Scans clear but no biopsy and still very anxious

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1

Hi!

Just feeling very low and anxious and confused.

Around 10 days ago I discovered a small hard lump on the top of my left breast. I went to the GP and she referred me to the breast clinic on the two week programme. Having found the lump I felt a dull ache in the breast and at odd times a needle like prick, although this could be in my head or as I feel the lump quite a lot.

I have small lumpy breasts and am likely in perimenopause. I have had a lymph node that comes up and goes down every so often on that same side, which GP have said is not a concern as it goes away.

Yesterday I had my referral. The doctor for the initial physical exam could not really find anything and had to ask me where it was. Lying down its not so obvious, but can easily be felt when when sitting or standing. She marked the area, said she did not think anything of concern and sent me for mammogram and ultra-sound. The ultra sound doctor did examine all over that breast and I then had a second 3D mammogram. When the breast was squeezed in the mammogram it definitely hurt as though there was a thing there being squished.

But then the doctor who had done the ultra-sound just came to the waiting room and said I could go, the scans did not show anything. I asked what the lump could be and he said he could not say but not unusual for women to come in with a lump and for scans not to show anything. And the other doctor had no concerns and he could see nothing on the scans. He said just to monitor and if grows or changes to go back.

I was not offered a biopsy. I did not ask for one at the time as I was on edge. Butt now wish I had.

Is it normal to just have scans and no biopsy of a lump if scans don’t show anything?

The waiting for the referral was terrible and just wanted it over and to be given all clear so I could relax and move on. But I don’t feel much better. The couple of friends I told were all over joyed that I was given all clear and said I could now forget it and relax after a terrible week. But I still just want to cry all the time and have niggling doubts maybe there is more to it.

Still feel I have this lump and no explanation. If I had been told it was a cyst (its not, I did ask) or a fibrous lump, just part of my breast etc…I think I would feel better. But I am stuck with a lump, be it fairly small and no other symptoms and no explanation for it. Just given all clear and told to go home.

And an ache in the breast but then my breast as been squished a lot yesterday and prodded by me alot. I am trying to remember as its all now this horrid anxious blur, but don’t think it was an ache or pain that alerted me to lump, just a check in the shower, which I do often, probably far too often as nurse at clinic said to really only do once a month.

I guess you read all these stories on here and other forums where people had all clear and then a few months later - wham…

Thanks.

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2

Please get this double checked . Ask for a 2nd opinion . Go private if you can .
I found a lump in august 2022. Id had a clear mammo in January 2022.
The breast consultant couldn’t find it . The radiogropher did ultrasound , thought was a cyst . Sent away .
I went for a private 2nd check .
Again , couldn’t feel it but was told probable cyst .
So, I lived with it
Feb 24, saw a flaw on my breast . The GP felt a lump , referred me.
Consultant couldn’t feel it but they did a mammo , couldn’t be seen on that but I insisted on ultrasound .
Radiologist found something by pressing on and did a biopsy .
2cm lobular tumour, same place as my original lump .
I’m older than you , was on HRT and have dense breasts .
I’d had a bit of an itchy boob but put it down to menopause .
So, yours may be benign .
But I wish I’d advocated for myself sooner .
At least if you go back , you know you’ve done everything you can .
Good luck x

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I went to the GP in October 2023 with a lump and was referred to the breast clinic. The clinic said they saw nothing on the ultrasound and so discharged me. Within a few months, the lump had quadrupled in size. I delayed going back because, after all, they had said it was nothing. It turned out to be high grade breast cancer. They looked back at my first ultrasound and said there was evidence of early changes, but the fact there was a palpable lump also means they should have biopsied it. Please, if you’re not comfortable with what they’ve done, go back to your GP. If there’s a new lump, there’s a good chance there’s something, even if that something could well be a benign change like a cyst or fibroadenoma. I will always feel angry about being fobbed off by medical staff.

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I think I will go private for a second opinion even if its just to put my mind at rest and try and get some definite answers. I don’t think if I went back to the GP I would get anywhere as already had a referral.

I wish I had mentioned and pushed for a biopsy the other day at the clinic but your mind is such a whirl that its only later you start to really question these things.

I hope you are now doing well and over the worst.

5

Mine was missed and now I have invasive carcinoma, it does happen…but also I’ve been two times previous to all this and had two lumps just scanned and poked that were fine, this is by far the usual outcome (where lumps are nothing to worry about). You’re probably absolutely fine, like the doctors said - but if you can afford a private check then go for it. Might be worth a quick chat with you gp first incase they have another suggestion that saves you paying out? Alternative is to go back in 6 months, but sounds like you might struggle to cope with this mentally so private might be worth it for peace of mind. Fingers crossed it’s nothing xxx

6

Thanks. Sorry to hear that yours was missed - do you know how and why it was missed and how was it eventually found - sorry please don’t answer if too personal.

Did you have biopsies of the other 2 benign lumps - or just scans and physical exam. If I had had a biopsy so the triple 3 as its called, I think I would have relaxed knowing they actually tested the lump.

I think I will go and see my GP next week and ask if she can get report and notes. More than anything I think it was the lack of discussion and conversation. Just a quick head into waiting room and ‘you are fine, all clear, go home’. I wanted to sit down and discuss what they thought lump might be and why painful at times.

And will see about a private appointment or options as well, to see costs and waiting times. Online can’t seem to get an appointment for 3 months anyway.

I am not sure if this forum is worldwide. I am in the UK and they only do mammograms every 3 years once you are over 50. I used to live outside the UK and could go private cheaply each year as was recommended and get a breast screen (exam and ultra sound) and doctor would explain everything. Just gave you a lot more peace of mind. Same with cervical smears - again here in UK its only every 3 years.

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Hi, I went with the current one very early. I had skin changes and discharge. Nothing could be seen on scans so they said it was fine and don’t worry, so sadly I didn’t as it grew over the next 3 and 1/2 years into invasive. The other two I just had ultrasound scans for, and was told all fine and they must’ve been. They were many years ago - no mammogram then as I was under 40. I think I read on here America is yearly from 40 for mammograms? Our NHS doesn’t have the capacity!

8

I would recommend seeing your gp. The breast clinic will be advising them the outcomes of their investigations in clinical terms, upon which the gp may scrutinise and clarify. May even make a further referral for further investigations. Hope that helps.

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Hi @ellier2025. It’s definitely worth getting another opinion if you are still concerned. I had a biopsy done in my 20s that turned out to be a fibroadenoma and totally harmless. When i found a lump in my breast in my 40s, i assumed it would be another fibroadenoma. I was wrong. Although the scans found it and it was biopsied, the mammogram and ultrasound didnt find the other 3 tumours i had in the same breast. These weren’t found until I’d had 3 surgeries. Ask for a biopsy. I’m sure the dr was right and it was a benign lump, but there’s no harm in getting it checked out again. Good luck.

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Hi ellier2025

Thanks for your post. It’s understandable that you’re still anxious about the outcome of your breast clinic appointment.

Breast changes, such as lumps and pain, can happen for many reasons. They may be due injury, due to hormonal changes as part of your monthly cycle (if you are still having periods) or due to benign conditions (not cancer). You’ll probably find your breasts change quite a bit throughout your life. As you say, you’re probably perimenopausal, which may be the reason for the changes you describe.

It’s not unusual that if scans are clear, a biopsy is deemed unnecessary.

However, as you’re still anxious, as @klf, @anon50128939 and @katesflowers say, do go back to your GP to discuss your concerns. Although the outcome is likely to be fine, as @floss2 states, you need some reassurance.

You could also contact the breast clinic you attended to ask if they could clarify the report summary.

For more information see our booklet Know your breasts: a guide to breast awareness and screening.

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Best wishes

Addie

Breast Care Nurse

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