WORRIED ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Hello

I am new to this site and have been told by my GP not to go on the internet as it is making me very anxious and stressed. She has put me on something to calm me down which doesn’t seem to work at all.

For approximately a year now I have had an itchy left nipple which is inverted (and has been for as long as I can remember). The GP has given me cream on the occasions I mentioned it and said nothing to worry about. Just prior to Christmas I visited her again to be given cream and also antibiotics as there was a smell from the nipple. I said I had a really bad back and she gave me some ibrufen and examined my breast and said there were no lumps and I should go back to her after my period. Before my due appointment things seems to have got worse. I had aches everywhere from my shoulders, arms, back, armpits, ribs and collarbone - I was shaking and crying constantly and went to see another doctor. He sent me for a x ray and I am seeing a breast consultant on Monday. I am so scared - all I keep thinking about is my 4 children and what will happen it I am not here anymore.

Need someone to talk to as my friends and partners don’t know what to say.

Thank you

Hi Debbie and welcome to the BCC forums,

I am sorry to read that you are having such a worrying time. In addition to the support you will receive here and for a ‘listening ear’ you may find our helpline useful, they are ready to listen, offer skilled emotional support and information.

The number to call is 0808 800 6000 weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2

I hope this helps.
Best wishes
Lucy

Hi Debbie,

Sorry that you are going through this. Its been said many times on this site but its so true - the waiting is the worst part be it waiting for test results, waiting to know when treatment will start (if necessary) etc. Time goes slow and its all you can think about - what ifs will run round in your head interminably.

That being said please try not to worry though as you will soon have answers, presumably you will be going to a One Stop Breast Clinic on Monday where they will do a physical exam, ultra sound and mammogram and if necessary based on those (ie any lumps seen) they will do a biopsy (either with a fine needle or a staple gun type thing - not as bad as it sounds). You may well get a result on the day or if they find a lump and biopsy it you may have to wait a week for the results, though some clinics do tell you on the day I think. Once you know what it is you will be able to deal with it. If its not BC then they will sort out treatment for whatever it is, if it is BC you will have a treatment plan and begin to find a way to deal with it, one step at a time.

As you haven’t a palpable lump it may be that the pain you are suffering is stress related due to the worry making you tense, of course not all lumps are palpable so getting yourself checked out is the right and only way to know for sure.

If you do have a BC diagnosis you will find loads of support and information here.

Another piece of advice, leading on from what your GP said in advising you not to go googling as you will scare yourself silly, is should you be diagnosed with BC not to read further ahead on this site than the stage of treatment you are at. Breaking it down into bite sized chunks of where you are at will make it more manageable.

Do remember that most breast problems are not BC and the chances are you will be fine. If you have any questions then just ask, someone will always answer you or provide comfort until someone comes along who can answer (everyone here is knowledgeable and has different experiences they can share with you).

Please let us know how you get on as we all care about each other here and like to hear good news, xxx

Hi Ostrich

Thank you for talking to me. I am worried sick and making my family unhappy. I have just had a terrible pain in the nipple that has really scared me. It was a sudden pain - I now don’t want to touch my breasts - I know I am touching them all the times looking for changes, etc. I am going insane!

Is it true that with BC you can have pain and numbness in your hand and arm?

Thanks Debbie

Hi again

Forgot to say that I am only seeing a breast consultant on Monday - he will not be doing any tests so I will have to wait yet again. I have already thought about my insurance and what will happen to my kids if …

Going now as I am getting upset again…

dEBBIE

Sending you hugs through cyber space Debbie (((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))

It truly is an awful time but you will get through this. I am sure your Consultant will order the tests done at a clinic if its not a technical breast clinic you are going to. I certainly saw a Consultant at the breast clinic who examined me and then sent me off for the tests so I think its unlikely he will just see you tomorrow and send you away without doing some tests.

I can’t answer re pain and numbness in your hand as everybody’s BC is different. I am only guessing but I suppose had you a large tumour or some lymph nodes affected then they could be pressing on nerves but its only a guess. Maybe someone else knows? It may well be that you have an infection rather than a tumour?

I had a palpable lump which was initially diagnosed as a fibrodonema and then about 3 and a half years later I noticed a tethering where my nipple appeared tethered down at the same place as my fibrodonema so I reluctantly got it checked. It turns out that there was a 18mm tumour behind it and unfortunately due to it being directly under my nipple I had to have a mastectomy. I had my breast reconstructed at the same time using a muscle from my back. I am currently having chemo due to having a tiny amount of cancer in one of my lymph nodes before I move on to tablet drugs to control my hormones and to help prevent the cancer returning.

Its understandable that your feelings about your breasts will change. I couldn’t stop touching mine whilst waiting for the results but didn’t go near it apart from once or twice between diagnosis and surgery and then struggled to touch it afterwards and am only slowly getting re-acquainted with my boob in its new form.

Ask any questions you have, rant, rave, cry, scream, laugh - thats what is so good about this site - we’ve all been there and you can let rip and not shock anyone or upset them.

xxx

Hello Debbie

Just a note to wish you good luck tomorrow when you see the consultant. Try not to worry too much - just remember that 9 out of 10 breast problems are benign. Well done for returning to your GP and for getting the appointment with the consultant. Let us know what happens.
Anthi x

hi debbie - thinking of you today - sending gentle hugs…the waiting is the hard bit - too much time to think etc my kids are 10 and nearly 16 and its so hard thinking about them but as everyone tells me you need to think of yourself too. What has your dr given you to calm you down - I am on Prozac - which I’ve taken a while for pmt etc so I know its helping me but if he has started you on something like an anti-depressant then they take time to work…I rang the helpline and found it really helped - cried for most of it mind but just good to know that the person I spoke to understood, mary x

Hi Mary

Thanks for your hugs - I need them!

The doctor has given me Diazapan (only 2mg) and doesn’t seem to do anything. Just feel like to want to be knocked out completely.

My kids are 16, 15, 10 and 2 and I am crying my best not to cry around them and everyone around me keeps saying to be positive and all will be ok but I can’t stop thinking.

Last night I was feeling my breast and it feels really painful deep down when I touch it and I ache everywhere.

Debbie x

I know - I’ve had the same and every twinge you relate to your boob don’t you?! Its just too easy to get yourself really worked up and impossible to not think about it…lets get today over with, is your partner going with you? x

My mum is going and it’s her birthday.

Hello new to the site. I went to the Doctors just before Christmas who referred me to the breast clinic straight away. To be honest went and was expecting them to say no everything is fine but in reality if I had thought about it with the size of the lump i.e. size of a golf ball and the fact that it was rock solid I suppose was just kidding myself. Anyway due to Christmas I had to wait for an appointment and as such the appointment came through for 9 January. I went and was told that it was not a cyst and that I would need a mamogram, ultrasound and a biopsy and the Doctor wanted it done urgently. Went to make the appointment to be told that they would phone me. It’s now 19 January, 10 days later and I have had to ring them twice and all I get is “they have to coincide with the Doctor and will ring me in a few days”. I have been driving myself insane but today I finally cracked. For the past 10 days I start to cry and then stop myself but today I finally broke down and managed to cry but then stopped and let it all build up again. I am doing stupid things, like today because I don’t feel like I am all there, my other half asked me to move his wing mirror on the car, so I opened the car door to do it. No problem with that, however, the car was moving down the motorway and I didn’t even realise what I was doing until he and my kids started shouting.

I am scared and don’t know what to do. I have 2 beautiful young girls and a great partner. I forgot to mention I also live in Gibraltar so the delay is also a result of only 1 person specialising in the tests and she has been off sick. Wonderful news!

I feel all alone and the most scared I have been in my whole life. I logged on here a couple of days ago and it has taken me a few days to build up the confidence to write anything but on reading the forums, for the first time in weeks I don’t feel as though I am on my own.

Hi Andrea

Just wanted to say you are not alone, all of us here have been where you have, waiting and wondering! It truly is the worst time. One you know what you are dealing with you can start to deal with it. Right now you are just wondering. I can’t advise on the healthcare system in Gibralter and only on the wonderful (?) NHS but I would suggest if you haven’t heard by tomorrow you call again and start making waves - do you at least have a date when she will be back from holiday? something you can focus on.

Its been said a 100 times but its true - most lumps (90% in fact) are benign so statistically you will be okay. If its the worst, we are all here for you to ask questions of, cry, scream, rant etc.

The support line is great and I am sure the moderator will supply an overseas telephone number for you if you need to speak to someone.

Much as you think you are on your own and can’t share it all with family and friends at least giving them some insight into how you feel will make you feel better, if you can’t share with them then just call on us,

sending you hugs across the miles ((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))

xxx Ostrich, xx

Ps let us know how you get on, we love good news!

Hi Andrea,

As Ostrich suggests here is the telephone number for the helpline for those out of the UK. (+44) 2076 200 077
the lines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 2pm (UK time)

The staff are here to support you so please do use them. Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator

How did it go Debbie? xxx

Hello Ostrich & Jo

Thank you for your comments. I finally had a phone call from the “Radiology Department” this morning. Unfortunately, I was in an office full of people so couldn’t question what they were saying to me. The consultant I saw 2 week ago informed me that he wanted me to have an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy and he wanted it done urgently. The nurse in charge of the Breast Clinic informed me that once I had all 3 done (which would be the same day) to call into the clinic and she would arrange for my appointment to see the Consultant but not to go back until all 3 were completed.

I have waited 2 weeks to get a call and I finally got one this morning informing me that my appointment would be 18 February and it was for an ultrasound only because of my age. All of a sudden a complete contradiction of what the consultant said and requested. I have since phoned the consultants office and unfortunately, the nurse is not in but they are going to speak to the consultant as I am now totally confused. My head was all over the place before, now I am being told something totally different, the poor nurse on the other end of the phone had some hysterical woman crying down the phone too her.

I don’t know what to think, what I am doing and know I can’t wait 4 week just for 1 test when I was told something different. Is this how it is usually done?

The other thing I wanted to ask is that during the past few week I have noticed my right breast which is where the lump is keeps swelling up. My left doesn’t, just the right. Also I started getting pains in my right arm, hand and fingers. Is this just a coincedence? or as I orignally thought about the lump, all in my imagination. I know the pain is there, so it isn’t my imagination but might be putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 20.

My partner is away at present, so I just spent 20 minutes crying down the phone to him. So neither the nurse or my partner got away from my hysterics and now I have just sat back at my desk in the office with great panda eyes! all before lunch.

Hi Andrea,

If your Consultant wants to see you urgently or if you are referred urgently by your GP its usually to a one stop breast clinic. The treatment and timescales should be standard and you should be having the one-stop shop treatment he says - mammo, ultra sound and biopsy on the same day (though they won’t always mammo if you are very young as breast tissue is denser - I had a mammo but I am 39). 18th Feb seems an awfully long way off too - I cant be sure how long between seeing the GP and seeing the hospital it was for me but I am sure it was within 2 weeks, after that things happened fairly quicky - I saw the hospital on the 4th August for mammo, ultra sound and fine needle biopsy, got results same day and went back on the 11th August for core biopsy and went back on 18th August where I was diagnosed.

You really need someone to tell you what will be happening and when and when you can expect tests and results - it should be fairly standard and everyone given the same standard of care - I know you are upset and finding it difficult but please follow up on your calls and demand that you know exactly what you can expect and why. There are NICE guidelines about what you can expect (look on their website) and try mentioning this which should get them to pull their fingers out. I am sure they say you should be referred and seen within 2 weeks (given that you meet certain criteria making it urgent).

I can’t advise on the swelling and pain in your breast and arm. There is a very rare form of breast cancer which causes redness and swelling and is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer but it could just as easily be an infection which is spreading and causing pain in your arm etc. Why not try ringing the nurses on here who can help with reassurance and presumably the standard of care you can expect.

Hope you get some answers by the end of the day!

xxx

andrea37, have been reading your post and wondering if you have had any luck with getting all 3 examinations on the one day.
Sounds like you are having a really tough time. Keep pushing for what you want.

Hi there, 2 weeks ago, i went down to new doc with fever and my left breast swelled up, the doc there diagnosed an infection and prescribed way too strong antibiotics,not happy with this i went to see my gp last friday he gave me 250mg of erythromicin 4 times a day, swelling had gone down around the whole breast, but at the top on the left hand side i have a red swelling like a squashy lump, went back to day was examined by my gp and a female gp, i asked about inflammatory breast cancer and they didn’t think it was,but a very large abscess, they are sending me for an x-ray monday to check out see if there is any thing else.i am so frightened, my mum died of secondary breast cancer at 37 in 1993, but it was just a lump, i am so scared i’m 28 married with 2 beautiful daughters and i’m scared that i have it and as it’s agressive i am going to die, please help, any similiar experiances, i’m shaking with fear.

Much appreciated

a Scared Nicky xx

Hi Nicky and welcome to the forums,

I’m sorry to read that you are so worried, I am sure you will receive support and information form your fellow forum users, you may also find it helpful to read the BCC booklet about being referred to a breast clinic. It can be found by following the link below:-

breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/referral_redesign__final_14_feb_08_0.pdf

Please do call the helpline if you feel it would help to talk your concerns through with someone in confidence, the line is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm on 0808 800 6000.

Best wishes
Lucy