I have been trawling the internet for weeks and just don’t know where to go.I haven’t spoken to anyone and know I should go to the GP. I had what felt like a thickening of my right breast and it has got harder and bigger. It does move but it feels quite big now and I think after the things I have read it is cancer. I am 39 and have 2 boys 7 and 3, all I can think about is how hey will cope without me, My eldest son is already prone to anxiety. It is all I think about day and night. I am constantly feeling it and moving it. My right boob is very veiny on the outside and warm. the lump feels bumpy and moves and don’t think it is a cyst. I have always been terrified of Dr’s and have had health anxiety since I was 16, I just don’t know how to get myself to go without physically passing out. i am so sorry to sound such a drama queen especially as people on here are really going through it. i just don’t know how to cope with it all. i have to pretend to be normal with family and friends when inside I am thinking all the dark thoughts imaginable, I just want to talk to someone on here who has maybe been through similar or who has any advice. I know the main advice is go to the DR. I am what I class as a fairly intelligent woman and would be telling any of my friends and family to do exactly what I’m not doing. I think I am losing the plot and I am riddled with anxiety thanks for reading
Sorry to hear your story. I can understand how you feel and how frightened you are.
You already know what I am going to say: you must go to the doctor and get it checked out. Nothing that they might say in the end will be more frightening than you are already imagining, and if it turns out to be nothing then you will be able to try and put this behind you. remember in most cases changes turn out to be nothing, but if there is something to worry about the sooner it can be dealt with and you can get on with the rest of your life.
Is there anyone that can go with you? Or maybe it would help to book the first appointment of the day so that you don’t have to wait too long? Could you tell the receptionist you are really nervous and see what appointment time she could suggest.
whatever you do keep coming back here for support in the meantime if it helps, and also remember that there is a helpline on this site, they may have other suggestions for you, and certainly will offer a listening ear.
I don’t know you but I well remember the anxiety I felt when I discovered a thickening in one of my breasts so I know it’s not a great place to be. So, I would suggest a visit to your doctor sounds like a pretty good idea.
However, only you can decide whether you take that step and go to see a doctor, no-one can make that decision for you. You have a right to determine your own course of action without compulsion and, if the result of that is that you do not seek medical help, that’s your responsibility.
I wasn’t really sure what I wanted anyone to say, I think I just had to put down my feelings somewhere. I don’t really have anyone I can talk to. I think I thought if I put it down in writing it might make me do something as I’m a little in denial and been hoping it would go away. An appointment I don’t have to wait for is a good idea. Thanks for that advice.
I really do understand how you feel, but by not going to the Dr’s you could be making the situation far far worse, I really hope it is just a cyst but you need to go and get it checked out, by the sounds of it all your instincts are telling you to go and get it looked at listen to them, bite the bullet and go to the Dr, we are all here holding your hand all the way, don’t leave it as late as I did, by the time I went it had already spread onto my lungs (sorry I dont want to scare you but maybe you need a wake-up call to get you to do what you know you have to)is there anyone you can confide in that will help you or even go with you to the Dr’s? Please please don’t leave this any longer, I am thinking of you. sending you all the courage and strength to deal with this situation.
Hi,
First of all i would like to say you aren’t the first person to feel like this and certainly you won’t be the last. You can see from my username that i’m not the calmest of people myself.
I know exactly how you are feeling,but believe me at some point you will have to make that appointment to see the doctor.Grab the bull by the horns and do it tomorrow.Don’t even think about it,just pick up the phone and make that call.
Most lumps turn out to be nothing serious. The majority of people contributing on these forums have been in that small minority where the lump wasn’t nothing at all, and reading our stories may make you think that it is more common than it really is.
Please ring the doctors’ tomorrow not just for you but for your precious boys and family.You owe it to them.
I know from personal experience that what we spend so much time worrying about usually doesnt come to pass.If it does we usually surprise ourselves over just how strong we really are.
I hope we hear from you again shortly telling us the good news that you have been and all is ok
Take care
Hi Snoop,
Twenty years ago I had a similar experience and fretted for weeks. One day, thinking it was the best thing to do, my poor husband picked me up from work and drove me to our GPs surgery. I became so hysterical that he turned the car and drove me home.
It took me another week to find my courage and got to the doctor. The mammogram showed nothing to worry about. Most breast lumps are not cancer but we can’t help thinking the worst.
This time, aged 61 , I wasn’t so lucky. What anyone here will tell you is that the fear is far worse than the reality. I have faced things I would never have imagined and not one part of my treatment has been as bad as I feared.
There’s a very good chance you have a fibroadenoma which is benign and very common in younger women. Nothing is worse than this worry. Take someone with you and go to your doctor as soon as you can make yourself.
I’m sending you love and hugs. Please keep in touch through the forums.
Kathleen
Hello!
Don’t worry and call the Dr! When you get to see them at the breast clinic they will take good care of you and make sure you are ok. They will help you deal with all your worries, so call!
In addition to the support and help here please feel free to call our helpline where you can talk your fears through with one of our team. The lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Saturdays on 0808 800 6000 and our specialist nurses and helpliners can offer you further support, information and a listening ear.
Beside making this all important app at the doc I would love to tell you to phone the helpline first, they are really great and I’m sure they give you enough guts to help you through this.
Hello,
I’m the same age as you and have the same age children as you!
I know you are anxious but you must get this checked out! Most lumps do turn out to be nothing but if it is bc you will get treated and then move on with your life
.
I was dx in dec and told my children.
My dd who is 3 is coping with it as is my ds who is 7an he asks random questions but is fine.
Whatever happens you need to know for your own sanity so make the call get the appointment and you will be anxious I was terrified but you will get through it. If you ring the helpline they are wonderful and helped me with my questions.
Please make the call, if you children were ill you would get them sorted out!!
Lots of love
Fran xx
Could you arrange for a doc to do a home visit or would that be worse? Get your partner or a friend to call the surgery and explain your deep anxieties as well.
Oops. My laptop is doing funny things…I shall continue. My biggest fear has always been getting breast cancer, and after numerous benign lumps and cysts over the years, my luck finally ran out a year ago. To be honest, it was a relief to come face-to-face with the enemy. I know that sounds strange, but all the previous worrying actually helped, because when it came to it, I didn’t have to worry any more about getting it.
Please find the courage to see your gp. Take a few deep breaths, and go with it. You could always see your practice nurse, mention it to her, and take it from there.
All the best,
Leigh
I can’t think of anything much more anxiety provoking than discovering a lump in the breast. It MIGHT be cancer but on the other hand it could be something completely benign. Until you have it checked you won’t know.
Also you say about not being around for your boys but cancer isn’t a death sentence in the way it was once. Most women have treatment and go on to live full and long lives.
Quite honestly, the sitting around - worrying about it - not knowing stage is hell. Best thing is to get it checked because if it’s not cancerous you can go and celebrate. If it is cancer, then treatment can get started and you’re taking action again.
There’s lot of support to be found on this forum and the helpline.
Hi Lady grey, and all, know what u mean. I lost my beautiful mum to breast monster disease when I was 16, and spent all my days scared to death of meeting this monster. It knocked on my door in 2009 when I was 56 ,and yes I as terrifed but almost relieved that it had come, at least now I could get on with it, facing my worse nightmare was a terrifying relief.
Have just read this and thought I would add a comment. I received my three yearly mammogram appointment letter yesterday…no problem there…but went on to read the accompanying blurb and noticed the list of symptoms to look out for…one of them was a rash. Well…ive had a purplish splotchy sort of rash on my right breast for a while but as I m quite quite veiny with a bluish tinge to my skin colour I didnt take much notice as it didnt hurt in any way and to be quite honest had no idea a rash could be a symptom of BC.
Well…I’m definitely going to make an appointment to see the doc first thing tomorrow…I’m terrified and anxious like the first poster on here…but I think the fear of not knowing is a damn site worse than knowing what you are up against. Will let you know what happens
thanks for reading