What do I do

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Hi All

Sorry this is long but please read to end and advise

I have had a few symptoms over the last 4 years (eczema, pain in nipple, indentation) in right breast only.

Although I have been referred, I have to say the last time (just under a year ago) left me feeling I was a complete time waster, and it would take an awful lot to go to GP, let alone my ONE STOP CLINIC where my experience was terrible.

Last time I went was with the indentation which was (is) by the side of the nipple in the areola - it looked like I’d pressed my little finger in and the depression was left.

Having left it for 3 mnths, I sought advice thru here and rang the helpline - the general consensus was to go to GP which I did and was referred.

The only explanation given was weight loss which in fact I’d lost only 7lbs 6 mnths prior to indentation appearing and it was continuing to get bigger.

Anyway having had to wait 2 weeks for the mammogram (after my urgent referral!) and after another 2 weeks without results I made a complaint, was seen again where I was told it was the “wrong type of indentation” and that was it - oh I asked for a biopsy as I’d read on this site that there’s a punch biopsy done on skin - but was refused.

Now, the problem is an indentation (looks similar to other indentation so I presume it’s the wrong type!) has appeared in the other breast. It is sort of wedge shaped the skin in the indentations is smooth and paler in colour. My 1st indentation is widening (not at a great rate) The nipples on both breasts are red - but they do itch which could explain this and there are now odd spots of eczema in the areola - on both.

What on earth do I do - I have no new symptom as such just an increase in pre existing symptoms.

Just one final bit of info - when I first went to GP with eczema 4 years ago, the mammo showed 2 white spots which consultant said I’d probably be recalled for, never was (received a 1 sentence letter saying mammo clear) and to this day don’t know what they were as not biopsied and I think it’s the mixed messages from this that’s left me with niggles along with the increase in sympoms that won’t go away.

Sorry it’s a bit long any advice appreciated, especially anyone who might have had similar.

Sandy

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Goodness Sandy, what an awful experience.

Alas the only suggestion I can come up with is ask to see your GP - it is the other breast after all. I think I read somehwere that you can self-refer to a breast clinic, but I might have dreamed that - someone else will know for sure. I htink you have little choice but to be assertive over this.

Big hugs

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hi,

Sorry the experiance you had 4 years ago was not good, but attitudes are changing all the time and I bet its a different place now.

I cannot comment on your symptoms but i can say any changes in breasts should be checked out --no argument. Pick up the phone now. Tell the receptionist you have another dent and skin and nipple changes and they will fit you in quickly, especially if you are not fussy wich GP you see.

You dpnt have to go to the same clinic if there are others within easy reach. You can google and pick where you want to be treated. But I would recommend hospitals with one stop clinics, or centers of excellance because they have all the latest tests and proceedures and you get results so much quicker.

I realy hope this new dent is the wrong sort of dent again and that your bad skin is just exzema, but you are not wasting anybodies time by getting it checked–9 out of 10 breast changes are not cancer, and I bet those 9 women did not feel they had wasted the doctors time–just relief that they were the lucky ones.

I just wonder if you are a younger woman, it seems that only recently people are realising how many younger women need checking out properly.

Anyway an urgent review can take 2 weeks, and the wait is aweful. But at least you have found this site. you could ring the helpline, they could talk your symptoms through with you.

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Sandy

If you are worried then you need to get it checked. Sometimes, unfortunately, you have to be persistent and stick to your guns.

Most breast problems turn out not to be anything serious, but you need someone to do the necessary investigations and tell you that.