Hi All,
So I’m pretty good with checking my breasts, pretty consistent with it, usually every few weeks.
I’m 39 In the past couple of weeks (say 2-3) I noticed my left one had got considerably bigger and heavier than the right. Now I know that’s always been the bigger of the two, but definitely a lot bigger than usual and it’s now to the point where you can see the difference through 3/4 layers of clothing. It’s sitting about an inch or two lower and the nipple height has changed and is pointing downwards. There’s also a couple of veins which have become a lot more prominent
There’s no conventional sticking out lump but there is an area to the bottom side where it’s curves out more, feels tougher and looks uneven, plus a smaller area at the top on the side of my armpit which feels like a lump when touched.
Saw my GP Monday who didn’t really touch them but looked and immediately referred me to the breast clinic which I’ve an appointment for in just over a week. He’s said in the report it’s ‘grossly’ larger and that’s it, not listing any of the other symptoms I’ve mentioned above or told him.
I don’t have periods as I had a partial hysterectomy 6 years ago due to Adenomyosis, and I’m in no way menopausal or peri menopausal.
I’m trying so hard not to worry, and I know it could be a whole host of things, but as I’m sure many of you can empathise it will always be in the back of my mind that cancer could be a possibility. I just worry I’ll be fobbed off by the drs cos I don’t have a conventional ‘lump’ as such.
Has anyone else experienced the same or similar in terms of symptoms?
Sorry for the rant! Just my heads all over the place at the moment!
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Hi @jenp99 welcome to the forum, you will find a lot of support here whatever the outcome of your diagnostics.
I can assure you that there will be no fobbing off. As an example, I had no palpable lump as it was so small but it was spotted on a routine mammogram and I was called back for further investigation. The whole clinical process from start to finish was impeccable. So the specialists you see in a week will have the experience and know how to do the right tests and to get to the bottom of what is causing the changes to your breast. There are plenty of reasons for the changes which are not cancer but it is only human to jump to the worst case scenario. You will have to prepare yourself for a longer wait after the tests for a diagnosis. It is universally agreed that this is the worst bit of the whole process, however, when the results come back, if (and it is a big IF) you need active treatment like surgery, you will feel more in control of the situation. If you feel inclined to research what you’re going through, I’d advise sticking to the expert websites like MacMillan, Cancer Research UK and obviously Breast Cancer Now. I wish you luck in your appointment next week but keep posting here if you get overwhelmed by it all, we’ve been there and understand.
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Thank you!
I think the worst part is that I’ve been messed about by drs before with my Adenomyosis.
But from what I’ve read, the breast clinic staff are generally pretty thorough.
Just trying to get through every day best I can, doesn’t help that everytime I see the difference it shakes me, I know it could be nothing, but I also know it could be something.
100% only sticking to proper websites etc, I know all too well the rabbit hole google can be. The waiting is definitely doing my head in, and I know there’ll possibly be more waiting ahead, but I know I’ll be ok whatever the outcome and it helps having forums like this. X