i’ve got pain in my left breast and axilla, i thought i would wait and see if it was linked to my period but four weeks on & the pain is still here and now i can feel a lump. i saw my gp thursday morning who has - after some painful squeezing also discovered a nipple discharge . she has urgently referred me to the breast clinic and now im worried sick & waiting for an appointment. I’m 35 and had a breast cyst 14 months ago but this feels nothing like that. which is making me panic more! My family are 200 miles away and im feeling very homesick. i dont really want to tell them until i know more, as my mum had breast cancer 2.5 years ago & i dont wont them to worry unnecessarily. How do i keep sane til i know?
Hi Thamensian
This must be a very worrying time for you, you’ll get loads of support here from people who know exactly what you are going through. But you might also find it helpful to read the BCC booklet called ‘referral to a breast clininc’ which can be found by following the link below
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/59
If you feel you want to talk to someone who understands what you are going through then do give our helpline a call. Everyone working on our helpline either has experience of breast cancer, or is a breast care nurse, and has an excellent knowledge of breast cancer issues. They are on 0808 800 6000 and are open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
Saturday, 9am - 2pm
I hope this helps
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)
Thank you sam
I have been to the referral centre before with the cyst, so i know what lies ahead. it’s the awful waiting to hear anything and trying to keep occupied thats worst. i’ve checked my phone numerous times this morning to make sure it’s working!
hi there
we all know what you are going through - the waiting is awful and you immediately think the worst. I had a lump last yeara and it was benign thank god so i was one of the 9 out of 10 benign cases.
good luck for whats to come.
hope its good news
Thanks. I sat by the phone most of friday and didn’t hear anything from the clinic. It’s been a very-very long and horrible weekend. I really hope i hear from them tomorrow before my over active imagination gets any worse!
Am very pleased your lump turned out to be ok.
Hi Thamensian
I got my clinic appointment notification about a week after referral and the appointment was for about a week after that (16 Dec). Hopefully you’ll hear in the next day or so. The waiting is terrible, the worst part, but the NHS does seem to be very good at dealing with bc. No point in telling you to try not to worry, but try not to worry yourself sick. You’re right about the over active imagination. Mine went into over drive while waiting for official diagnosis. As it happens my lump was cancer, and that sent me into hyper drive, warp factor 564! You’re not necessarily going there. I’m just saying that no matter what happens take it one step at a time, and try not to leap so far ahead you can’t see the day in front of you. I understand you not wanting to tell your family. Try and grab some sane time here, talking it through with everyone. Everybody’s been where you are now and we really know how tough it is.
Try and sleep, tomorrow you could always give the clinic a quick call.
Carole