Originally discovered a patch of puckered skin when pregnant but was dismissed as a pregnancy change, which did go away after baby was born about 6 months ago. Was unable to breastfeed and recently noticed if i brush past my boob with my arm it felt so tender and almost bruised. Feel like one boob is swollen and found a lump the other day, felt something wasnt right so rang GP and was seen. GP felt a lump but not in the same place i did, he found the lump just under my armpit and referred me to breast clinic. Dont know if I am more aware of symptoms due to waiting, but i struggle to find the lump I went to the doctors for (I have quite large boobs so not sure if this why) but generally just think my right boob feels different and feels like one big bruise.
Hoping its just a hormonal thing but also worried sick. Also almost feel like im gaslighting myself with symptoms.
What should I expect at a breast clinic appointment?
When I found a lump in April my GP referred me to the breast clinic. At that appointment I was examined by the consultant. I then had a mammogram followed by an ultrasound at which they took some biopsies and inserted a marker,basically a clip so they can easily find the lump again. Then I went back to the consultant who had looked at the images and was able to tell me there and then that the lump looked suspicious. I had a 2 week wait for exact diagnosis, but they know what they are looking at.
My daughter in law went through the same thing 6 months earlier. At the clinic they told her that it was a cyst. She had that removed 1 months later and the biopsy confirmed it was just a cyst.
It is a stressful time but they are able to give you a pretty good idea at the appointment.
I hope it turns out well for you.
Firstly I’m sorry you find yourself here with worry that the puckering and lump is something sinister, most are not cancer but until you get a specialist to check in the breast clinic you won’t know for sure. The waiting to be seen and results is the hardest time.
Congratulations on your baby, it is a very emotional time after giving birth and the worries that now come being a mum. Your boobs could be hormonal, there are so many things that happen to them when you have a baby. I breast fed, they swelled, they were sore, had mastitis and produced milk long after the birth and finished feeding.
Breast clinics usually do a triple check, where they will physically examine you, do a mammogram/ultrasound and take biopsies. You will usually be introduced to the breast care nurses who are a lifeline for anyone diagnosed. They will take your medical history and any family cancer diagnosis. They can’t always say for certain if you have cancer until the biopsy results are received. I was told there was an area of concern and then after getting my results they needed to size the tumour with an MRI, to then be told I had another tumour in my other boob. I was then told I was HER2+ which meant chemo and Herceptin. Everyone has an individual treatment plan, a multi disciplinary team will discuss your biopsy results and they will have a plan for you if needed.
I would if you can take someone with you, they can listen and ask questions if needed and then when you leave you may be able to go over some things. You could be there for a couple of hours. You can also take a pen and paper to write notes.
If you are diagnosed, the forum is very supportive, there are BCN nurses who can be contacted on the forum or by phone. There are services such as Someone like Me, where BCN match you with someone who has a similar diagnosis and you talk on the phone. The forum has a section for Younger Woman aged. 20-45.
Hi mamag
I had no lumps or any concerns when invited for first mammogram. I got recall letter to breast clinic. I received another mammogram, breast examination, ultrasound and biopsy during same appointment. Got cancer diagnosis following week.
On a positive note. My niece had a baby 9 weeks ago. She found a lump a couple of weeks after he was born. They say it is hormonal and nothing to worry about.
Best wishes, hope all is okay x
