Thickening and lump at 25

Public Archive
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I posted something similar in the family history board, but I felt that the points about symptoms may be more fitting over here.

 

My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I discovered that I have a family history. My grandmother and great grandmother passed away from breast cancer. No woman on that side of the family has made it past 52 years old.

 

I have always checked my breasts regardless as when I was 16 I had a lump which was removed when I was 17. It was benign, but they did find some cells that they could not identify initially. After further tests, I was not given any other information apart from a one line letter saying it was benign.

 

For a few years after this, I had a few more lumps which doctors did not refer me for as they were not concerned and these did vanish over time.

 

Now, in light of my mother’s cancer I was checking more and more and I was unsure what was ‘normal’ for me as my breasts just feel quite lumpy anyway. I had persistent pain for the past 12 months in one of my breasts as well as a bunch of (what the doctors feel are) cysts appear in my armpit. I ignored the pain as when i was younger, I was told by doctors that if it is painful it is not likely to be serious.

 

I went to the GP yesterday who examined me and found a lump that I had never detected (and still can’t) and thickening breast tissue. I have been referred to the clinic but they did not specify how long the wait would be. I am quite concerned as my breasts may have been like this for some time but id just never noticed despite checking. I cannot focus on anything and I am driving myself a little mad :frowning:

 

My breasts have been giving me problems for nearly 10 years, and this coupled with the family history and my apparent inability to locate thickened tissue and lumps makes me very fearful for the future even if everything turns out ok this time.

 

Any tips on how to stay sane until I have my referral, and advice on what breast thickening feels like woudl be helpful and appreciated. Also, I am deemed moderate risk with my family history. Is it possible to get a preventative mastectomy on the NHS in future or do I need to be high risk for this?

 

Thank you in advance x

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Hi Zuttter, 

I am sorry to hear you are going through this difficult time. I am sure some of our users will be along shortly to offer their support. 

In the meantime do give our support line a call at 0808 800 6000 who can talk to you about family history and breast cancer and offer a friendly ear.

Best wishes, 

Lizzy 

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Hi. I was just reading your posts and wondered how you got on? X

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Hi all,

 

Thank you for checking in!

 

Yes I went to the clinic and they just used ultra sound on one small part of my breast and my armpits. They found a lot of cysts in my arm pit, but nothing to worry about in the breast. Since then though I have found 3 lumps in that same breast on the areas that they did not check so I am considering going back to the GP again.

 

I am confused as to why they do not just check both (and all) of your breasts rather than just a little section?

 

I really want them taking off and reconstructing, but they advised I cannot have that unless I fall in the high risk group which I do not- moderate risk, unless my mother gets a positive BRCA test back then I can also get tested.

 

Thank you again x