I had similar; just found a little itchy lump on the side of my breast. The sonogram doctor told me that it was likely to be cancer and sent me for an immediate mammogram and biopsy. Those doctors said same; they warned me that it was going to be bad news - but also not the worst. As you said, they repeated that it is very treatable. That was last March and I have had a lumpectomy (so technically cancer-free since April) followed by chemo and radiation. Now on hormone therapy and I can say that I now have more nearly-normal days than I would have expected. I am so sorry that you have to go through this! But in a way, itās good that they have warned you, so that you can prepare a bit better for the outcome. Hoping itās not cancer, but if it is, they will care for you. Wishing you well!!
Charlotte,
Iām one of those rare males with BC. After the ultrasound and mammogram, the Dr came in and said it is probably cancer. It didnāt surprise me too much since my sister and mother had breast cancer. I asked why he thought that and he said because of the shape with micro calcifications. The biopsy proved him correct. After 4 years and a mastectomy, Iām doing well. Since males donāt usually get BC, I mentioned the lump to my nurse about 6 months earlier and she said to keep track of it and let her know if something changed. At our next appt, I asked to have it checked. Maybe because of the delay, one lymph node was positive. We are all different, so I wouldnāt make any conclusions based on someone else.
John
Hi there, the waiting is undeniably painful between every process, and like you I had several biopsies āmiss the spotā and have to be repeated. They took 10 sample in one sitting from some ācallsā and hit nothing!
Today I was expecting to get a date for my surgery, but after weeks of telling me I did not have any spread into my lymph nodes, today they told me but now I have. So rather than operate, I now have to have a full body CT scan to see if it has already gone anywhere else. Each step of the way they have told me that it was a 2 to 3 cm lump, today I was told it was over 5 cm but is slow growing. I have also been told previously that itās not in my lymph nodes again until today when I was told that it was. It was absolutely devastating to find that I had been getting my hopes up when today they were truly dashed. Iām sure they havenāt actually lied to me, but I feel very angry. But I guess that is just par for the course with cancer. My lump was found during a routine mammogram at the end of October, and Iām still undergoing tests with two week waits in between. It really is dragging on! Sadly my husbandās new jobs private health insurance only kicked in 20 days after my diagnosis, so I am not covered. We apparently are in a good postcode area for the NHS, so I am clinging to that. I know I am not alone by any stretch imagination, and thatās what these forums are so great for. I am usually a cup half full person, but not today, Iām desperately sad.
Iām so sorry to read this. Your anger is well and truly justified. Sorry you had your hopes raised and dashed. Cancer is such a devious pig that it may well have presented one way, and now has set alarm bells ringing. Hereās hoping that they are just being ultra cautious, and their findings donāt reveal anything new. I wish I could respond in a less useless way, but just wanted you to feel heard. X
Hi @goflynz
Iām sorry to read about your experience and the ever changing info. I was where you are in Oct 2024 Routine mammogram. Second stage breast screening. 3D mammogram, USS, biopsies.
Diagnosis made towards two thirds of the way through November. Initially I was told the biopsies revealed IDC and DCIS had been found early and would be managed conservatively with breast conserving surgery/ oncoplastic surgery and Iād lose 25% of my breast owing to the distance between the affected areas. The following week met with the surgeon who informed it was triple positive, that Iād need a mastectomy, chemo and targeted therapy - timing of it all depended on MRI scan results. The MRI showed it was more widespread and scattered throughout the breast which indicated that I would have chemo etc before surgery. The MRI also showed two indeterminate areas of concern in the other breast. Further biopsies confirmed that āitā was in there too, DCIS. So two diagnosis of breast cancer 50 days apart. I could have been blindsided but instead I gave a small laugh and said I wanted a double mastectomy (breast conserving surgery was an option for that one). I just wanted them both gone.
When I reflect on my experience of the investigative period, I wish they had said to me clearly at the outset when I had the first bad news, that what they told me at each appointment was based on the information that they had at the time, and that the tentative plan they made may change along the way as more imaging results came in. Whilst to them itās stating the bleeding obvious, when I was sat in the consulting room chair my brain was not focussed on the details because of the emotional impact of the bad news. They may have assumed that I would know given that I am a nurse, however when I was sat in the room, I was there as a patient and just like everyone else who is told that they have breast cancer, my life as I knew it stopped and I was a changed person.
The drip feeding of information is hard. I had asked to be told just what I needed to know at the time as I did not want to get overwhelmed. My reality is that I knew what the process was, what they were looking forward and what would/could happen dependent on the outcome. I was told that the CT scan is like opening Pandoraās Box. I knew this to mean that it could show up things that we were not expecting to find. It was another anxious wait for results thankfully nothing found aside from a cyst in my liver.
In terms of the information about the size of the cancerous area, when I had a mammogram midway through chemo to determine how āitā was responding to treatment, the radiologist who performed it told me that only the pathologist and their microscope could give that information. When I saw the oncologist they would only confirm that it had not increased in size which to me was a positive, though I could have interpreted that as it hadnāt shrunk the cancer. In the end I had what is called a pathological complete response. The chemo had completely dissolved the cancer in both breasts. No trace of it in the breast tissue and none in the sentinel nodes. I was obviously thrilled by that news but it means that I will never know how exactly how large the cancer footprint was in either breast. On the flip side I do know that the 6 cycles of treatment did want we had hoped it would do.
It will be a year this Saturday since my first chemo. Iāve two more doses of targeted therapy so the end is in sight as far as the HER2 is concerned. I am also having 5 years of Letrozole and 3 years of 6 monthly Zolendronic acid infusions. It felt insurmountable knowing that 2025 would be spent tackling āitā but I did it and it was doable.
Like you, that long wait was really hard, especially when I read on the forum that others who were diagnosed after me had started their treatment pathway and for some finished before Iād begin mine. Our extra long wait in the waiting room means that they are gathering all the information they need to make the right plan for specifically for us.
The other difficult part is having to update people as the news came in and the plan changed. By the end it became easier. It all just rolled of the tongue with no emotion.
I am extremely grateful that I had the MRI scans and additional biopsies else I would never have known about the cancer in my right breast. I most likely would have found myself a few years down the line having surgery and perhaps chemo all over again. Instead, it was all tackled together. Hopefully enough has been done to stop it returning
Once you have the date to tackle āitā you will feel so much better. X
I am in similar position. Awaiting for biopsy results but already have been met with cancer support nurse. I am afraid of unknown and surgery.
Oh thank you!!! Your explanation is brilliant. The Pandoraās Box effect is what I am most scared of. Theyāve not given me a staging but doing my own research it appears to be 3A. Iāve just spent a sleepless night with my inner voice chatting away in my head all night, then when I fall asleep I get panic attacks & wake up again.
I just feel a bit shut out of what medical the team are thinking. Iām a bit overweight, my diet could be better and in the winter Iām a bit of a couch potato. I fear for the worst when usually Iām a positive person. Hideous.
Thank you again
Hi @goflynz
I didnāt ask for staging nor was it in any correspondence. Iām wondering if some centres do tell you and others donāt. Some centres give copies of scan and pathology results or they are uploaded and can be accessed through their NHS app. Interestingly I could access the results of the biopsies I had at the North London hospital but those from the hospital where Iāve been treated.
My sleep was erratic. Either couldnāt fall asleep or would wake up, get in a cycle of overthinking and find myself unable to fall back to sleep. It was very impactful. In the end I requested medication to help me sleep. GP agreed I could have two zopiclone a week. Made a huge difference. Also decided something to help my mood would help. Whilst the low mood and and anxiety was an expected and normal reaction to my diagnosis, knowing that there was more to come and it would be ongoing for the year, I was proactive and started an anti-depressant. After the deaths of my parents a year apart and a subsequent flare up of my inflammatory arthritis (affected my mood and sleep - pain when I moved), the rheumatologist suggested a small dose of Mirtazepine. One of the benefits was it makes you sleep. It was bloody marvellous. I restarted it. Just take half a tablet.
Donāt give yourself a hard time about your diet, weight or inactivity. You can maybe make small changes now and think about bigger ones when youāre in the right headspace to do so. When itās cold, dark and raining we want to hunker up inside in the warmth. We want comfort food when weāre upset or we lose our appetite altogether. At the moment itās enough to get through each day whilst youāre waiting. X
Hello
First of all sending lots of love as this is such a stressful time for you.
I had a similar experience last May, told the lump was very suspicious and basically the biopsy would confirm I had cancer. after a normal biopsy and a lot of further biopsies and appointments I was told it actually was not cancer but was a radial scar with no atypical cells. I was told this is not the route for 80% of people who have a suspicious mammogram.
I donāt know if that helps but I will be thinking of you and hope for the best outcome.
@nikks I aam just as the start of my journey and reading your story gills me with hope. I get treatment plan next wednesday. Any tios grdatly appreciated.
Samantha
@sammy75 donāt rush in to getting a wig (assuming youāre not having cold cap). Write detailed notes after the first infusion of all the things you experience, and take it to the next appointment. They can then offer you things to help if you get any aches or pains. Never feel you canāt ring the help line. If you do ring it, take your temperature first to save time. Always know you have here to talk things out, and remember, any less good days are only temporary. They will pass, so let your nearest and dearest scoop you up and pamper you. If youāre not very good at it, learn to ask for help. XXX
@Jaygo no not having a cold cap. Invrsted in a note book today.
Your advice is invaluable and very much appreciated x
Hello,
I am 39 and this exact same thing happened to me in December. My GP thought it was probably nothing to worry about but had to refer me as Nice guidelines, lump over 30. Since I had no family history, had breastfed, had no risk factors I was aware of I bounced into the breast clinic assured all would be well. The breast doctor felt it was probably not overly concerning at first examination so I went to have an ultrasound to be sure and the same thing happened to me. The mood changed and I was told I would need a mammogram and a biopsy. Then I got called back though and was told very kindly (with a specialist nurse present and tissues ready) that I needed to prepare myself for the fact it could be cancer. I was shocked and upset and the wait was awful.
10 days latern it was confirmed I have Er+ Her2+ cancer, 32mm lump, I had an MRI as I am younger because apparently breast tissue can be denser. This actually showed the tumour was smaller than the ultrasound had picked up. I am starting chemotherapy on Thursday.
Sending you lots of love. The waiting is bloody awful. Once you know then you feel more in control and having a treatment plan helped me. xx
@gnatterly do you mind me asking what your treatment plan is.
Im trying to prepare myself
Hope your well
Sam x
There is a new option, already approved by MHRA in UK, which does not use reagents so, results from the biopsy can be provided in an hour which dictates treatment plan, including if Chemo is needed or not. Can be set up in any hospital and run by a junior lab technician. The waiting is awful-this new device, when in mass market, will at least prevent the 2-6 weeks wait.
I had issues both sides, on the left a 5cm mass and the right a 4 cm mass , these were picked up on a ct scan for pneumonia. So I was referred on the 2 week rule. I had the mammograms and I went back into the room had the biopsys on both sides. I asked if it was cancer and she told me the left side probably not, the right side definitely! She had no doubt. It turned out correct. The left side is a radial scar, which isnāt normally cancerous but to be on the safe side she wanted to check. I had my surgery in August 2025 and radiotherapy November 2025.
I know you will be so worried, but be assured that if it is cancer they are so efficient in what they are doing and everything is covered, just ask all the questions you need and you will get them. Your going to be okā¤ļø