I’m a 23 year old girl with no history of BC in the family. Found a lump a couple of weeks ago (two days before my period) and naturally flew into panic mode! Consulted Dr Google, which only resulted in me feeling worse and half convincing myself it was BC. I suffer from bad anxiety and depression, which of course has not helped in the slightest.
I finally steeled myself to go see my GP about it. Unfortunately my GP, who I had really gotten to know and trust, retired over the Christmas period. So I was even more stressed out about having to see a new doctor.
But today I went to see him and he did all the necessaries. He couldn’t feel the lump initially and I had to show him. He said he is quite sure it is a fibroadenoma because it moves (he commented it is not fixed to the breast tissue which did reassure me some) and it is quite rubbery and firm. He did give me a choice to wait until my next cycle or be referred but he felt the latter, due to my anxiety, was the better option.
He also said that he can’t tell me it’s not BC but that he feels it’s a very low chance. Of course, my anxiety riddled mind has grasped onto this comment and won’t let go of it. Because what if it is?
I’ve got to wait to hear from the clinic now for an appointment and suppose I could just do with a little support from those who have been in a similar situation. I have to admit that I am a little worried I won’t be taken seriously by the specialists because of my age. I also don’t want to touch the lump! A complete turn since I couldn’t stop when I wasn’t sure what it was.
This situation does make anyone anxious, so you are not alone on this.
Anyway, you’ve done the right thing in getting it get checked out. As your dr said, obviously bc has to be excluded & only the breast clinic can get to the bottom of it & give you the all clear. Referral is normal procedure for this.
Easier said than done, but please be reassured that bc is the _least _likely outcome & it’s rare in someone of your age. Many women come on here with your symptoms & get the all clear.
You are absolutely right about google, it really is best avoided a it does not reassure & only makes anxiety worse. It does help to carry on as much as normal & keep yourself distracted.
lf you need information, then use this site & come back if you need to chat.
Thank you both for your replies. It does help to know I am not alone in this.
The waiting is the worst part right now - it is probably silly but I just don’t feel I can plan anything until I’ve been to have the tests! And at times I forget what I’m worried about and suddenly remember and panic again!
I am lucky that my colleagues at work have been supportive about this though and I have found talking with them has helped.
Fingers crossed I hear something from the clinic next week about the appointment. The doctor stressed how anxious I was in my referral letter.
Received my letter today from the GP surgery - Thursday 24th February at 9:45am at the clinic. Quite impressed with the speed that’s come through - imagine it’s because my GP made a point of how anxious I am! I think it’s a one stop place so hopefully I won’t have to wait too long to know what’s going on.
Now I have two weeks to steel myself of what to expect - of course convinced myself the lump has changed shape and it’s not the right shape for a fibroadenoma. Be glad to know once and for all what I’m dealing with.
Hi. Glad you’ve got your appointment through, I think the target wait time is 2 weeks.
I had a small lump removed 20 years ago that sounds the same as you describe. At biopsy they were unsure what it was and I had it removed and it was then confirmed a fibroadenoma.
I hope you get through the waiting OK. Don’t Google, stick to this site and macmillan.
I’ve been and come back and unfortunately have another two week wait for the biopsy results (the biopsy was like a staple gun in the boob! And then there was blood everywhere. Not allowed to wash for 24hrs because of the dressing)
The radiologist suspects it’s something called ‘pash’ which I had never heard of. She was taking ages going over it and then up into my armpit (assume she was checking the lymph nodes) and I was starting to get really worried. But she was very straight talking and I think she would have told me if she was concerned about it. Think I would be right in saying a radiologist knows the good lumps from the bad.
I saw the nurse after to go through receiving my results. She was lovely as I got quite upset. She told me if they thought it was something bad she would be telling me so right then and there but that they aren’t concerned it’s cancer.
Although I was hoping I would be coming home today knowing what it was, I’m glad I went. At least then if it is something then it can be treated.
Hi. I ve never heard of that either. At least you have been reassured although I know waiting for results is very difficult. Hopefully the results will confirm what you have been told and that will be the end of it.
Let us know the results.
Best wishes
Xx
I’m going through the motions really. Have got quite upset tonight but I always find these things worse during the night. The nurse said to expect it but she’s given me a number for the clinic that I can call if I need some reassurance. Just keep going over what happened in that the radiologist wasn’t concerned and the nurse told me they weren’t concerned.
Also I’ve got to go to the clinic for my results on 8th March - wondering if this is normal? Seems a few places call with the results.
Charlie I literally could have written your post myself!! I am 23 & in the exact same situation, I have bad anxiety & depression. I just got my letter through to go for a scan but it is a 5 week wait, you can imagine how anxious I’m feeling and will be for 5 weeks! I’m so glad you got yours quickly, I had to see a doctor that wasn’t my regular doctor I wish I had stressed how anxious I was about it but I will just need to wait. Keep me updated on your results. I’m so glad I joined this forum as I feel very alone in this I don’t want to talk about it with family as it sends me in to a panic. X
The clinc called me yesterday on my way home from work - all benign! She said it’s a fibroadenoma after all. (They called me because I live about an hour an a half away from the clinic so they wanted to save me the journey). She said they’re happy to leave it alone but that they’ll write to me and my GP in more detail - I’ll be honest I was so relieved I really didn’t take anything she said in! I nearly cried on the bus!
It’s been a very weird few weeks. I couldn’t stop crying a few days after my visit to the clinic but then I woke up last Wednesday and thought ‘why am I worrying? Whatever it is can be sorted.’ And I hadn’t really worried about it too much after that. I’ve honestly had more grief from the allergic reaction I’ve suffered from the plasters I’ve had to put over the biopsy incision. And now I’m thinking I’ve made a fuss about nothing but I know that’s not true and that I did the right thing by getting it checked out; if I hadn’t I would still be sat here constantly feeling it and thinking ‘what if?’ Now I don’t feel I’m in limbo and can start to do things again.
I just want to thank everyone on this forum and wish you all the very best for the future. I may pop back from time to time.
Mandy, I do apologise for not responding sooner, but I hope you have good news too. You’re doing the right thing by getting it checked out. x
Hi. I’m so pleased for you! You absolutely did the right thing to get it checked out. Now you can relax. Don’t forget to keep checking yourself though!!