How did you find your lump/symptoms?

[Guest user]

never found a lump went for routine mamogram.sent for a biopsy they found two tumors had right masectomy .even when i knew where they were i couldnt feel them because of the position they were in .it was lucky i went for mamogram

[Rustyharas]

Lol truffle, I agree, you can drive yourself mad with all the different things you should and shouldn't do..
X
Risty

[truffle_shuff]

Hi , thank you, its a mine field this getting a balanceisnt it, have u read the thread comments about the daily mail article blaming BC on wearing yellow wellies.....love it think I will go with that , and go back on eating bad things and drinking vino

take care
x

[Rustyharas]

Truffle, it was a passing comment I had from a nutritionist. EPO is high in omega 6 which is not good to have out of balance with omega 3. I have read that too much omega 6 is bad, it is in the Anticancer book by David Servan Scheiber too. It is one of those things where opinion seems to change, like soy which is now 'good' but was 'bad' till recently. Sorry, didn't mean to cause worry. Eat lots of omega 3 to balance it out?

I will rephrase my post, it is very much a matter of opinion.
X
Rusty

[CheshireCheese]

I think one reason I didn't spot my cancer earlier was that I was on the alert for a "lump", due to family history, but hadn't realised that thickening was also a possible sign. In fact the lump I found was a small cyst but there was also a much larger thickened area which was a 3cm tumour. Somehow the message needs to be put out there that you shouldn't only be on the lookout for a lump, but should be alert to ANY changes.

[truffle_shuff]

Hi,

Can you please clarify for me, Are you saying that evening primrose oil promotes the growth of BC, my onc has told me to take high dose for reduction in flushes, dont think I want to now !!!!

take care x

[Guest user]

Hi
I found mine in my right breast whilst showering, having had a mamogramme a few weeks before, and my letter saying everything was normal, just a week later I found my lump.

Although,within a week I saw my doctor and she referred me to the Mermaid Centre (our cancer hospital) and after another mamogramme they could see a faint mark, they did a byopsy there and then and within a few hours diagnosed with stage II cancer.

After a needle biopsy the next day it came back as invasive ductul carcinoma stage III, I was due to have a mastectomy, but another surgeon thought he could do a lumpectomy and lymph nodes, followed by another operation to remove more lymph nodes under my right arm as the cancer had moved into them.

It all hapened so fast didn't have time to think..but no pain.

xSarniex

I carn't believe how fast the lump seemed to grow, one minute it was'nt there the next it was - although the mamagrammes are very good, its still good to check yourself regularly. I seemed to get all my treatment arranged very quicly.

[Rustyharas]

How interesting. I'd had shooting pains in my right breast for a few years, exactly where I found a lump earlier this year. GP fantastic, referred me straight away, tests and results the same week, surgery a week later. I was 45, no family history. Idc, one node affected, chemo at the moment and radio and tamox next

I wonder now, especially after reading these threads, if the pain was the firsts symptom? The GP I saw at that time suggested a high dose of Evening Primrose (which someone told me promotes bc!!)

Or maybe it was simply hormonal breast pain...
X
Rusty

[Guest user]

Hi all,

I am 36 and was diagnosed in April this year. I found the lump myself on self-examination, and went to my GP at the next available appt a few days later. I regularly self-examine, however had been a bit less regular the few months prior to finding my lump due to my dad having been very unwell and then also undergoing cancer treatment. My GP was absolutely brilliant and referred me by fax that day to the breast clinic, and the breast clinic nurse rang me a couple of hours later to give me an appointment for a week later. My GP said while it felt mobile and would hopefully most likely be benign, especially in view of my age etc, it still warranted to be checked within the two-week referral system. I don't know if he was influenced by my getting a bit upset during the appt as my best friend died of metastatic breast cancer 15 months previously, and my aunt was diagnosed with liver mets last year, but I do believe he had decided to refer me anyway.

I am so grateful to my GP, as unfortunately it was breast cancer. The surgeon who first examined me said she wasn't too concerned however I had a mammo and then USS with 6 biopsies; from the lump I had found and an enlarged lymph node on that side, but also two areas on the other breast. After the first mammo the radiologist asked for further mammo views prior to my USS, and for this mammo there were 2 radiographers staring intently at the screen instead of just the one previously which made me obviously more concerned. I was devastated to be told after mammo and USS that they were 99% sure it was breast cancer, and confirmed from biopsy results the following week.

I'd had a bad feeling that the possible diagnosis may not be good, and had been searching the internet prior to my appt (as most do I guess) and had concerns about some characteristics of my lump. I am also a nurse, though not in oncology, so have some knowledge but still hoped that I would not be one of the 1 in 9, especially as it is supposedly more unusual in younger women and yet I personally know two younger ladies. Anyone who knew about my lump kept telling me it would "probably be nothing" in view of my age and the stats and my having had a benign lump 8 years ago, so I still hoped that it may be the case, unfortunately as we all know breast cancer doesn't discriminate. Breast cancer diagnosis is equally devastating at any age, but Tors, I do agree that there does appear to be a relatively common misconception about and amongst younger women. My immediate group of friends obviously have a heightened awareness due to our friend and now me, however many people outside of this group express surprise and shock when they hear of my diagnosis at my age and lots of these women admit they do not self-examine, so increased awareness is really needed. Furthermore, two GPs I have seen since diagnosis have expressed their shock and surprise at my age and diagnosis, and my friend's primary diagnosis was sadly delayed due to her GP not referring her until a number of months and visits after she first attended her GP. So I am eternally grateful to my own first GP.

I have had a Mx (no recon yet) and am just coming to the end of chemo. I have had brilliant care from my GP and my oncology team, for which I am so thankful, but am so saddened to read and know of others who have had to deal with the situation of delayed or misdiagnosis.

[tors]

bump

[Guest user]

Hi all, I found mine on the first day of my holiday at my son's in Canada! I was in the shower and had lifted my arm to wash under it then swept my hand across the top of my breast... How had I missed it before? I had had a previous scare and am a regular mammogrammer!! I was horrified. Well it is here now and I have been diagnosed so far as malignant, 3cms and primary but go to the hospital on thursday for definitive results of the biopsy and then the programme of 'events'. Looking forward to next summer when I emerge as a healed butterfly!

[Tournesol]

Mine started with a mild, dull, pain around and below my left shoulder when I was about 19. I was a bit worried but thought BC was extremely unlikely at that age so left it. It didn't go away but in my twenties I told myself that if it was anything sinister I would have had more symptoms by then. I was completely unaware of the fact that one could have DCIS for some time before the cancer would become invasive, and also didn't really understand well that thickening or pain could be a symptom. I just got used to the mild discomfort and the way that one side of my body felt different from the other. I think I mentioned it to doctors once or twice in my twenties, but it wasn't picked up on. In my mid thirties I specifically asked a doctor to check my breasts as I had become more aware and worried about it; she didn't spot anything and told me it was just muscular and I should put some ibuprofen gel on the area. She was saying what I wanted to hear and I believed her. Finally a year after that I started to get nipple discharge, went straight to the doctor (a different one) who thought she could feel some thickening and referred me to the breast clinic. Even then they said that the GP had done well to feel it as it wasn't that obvious. Nothing showed up on the mammo or the ultrasound and a biopsy was inconclusive. I had to wait nearly a month for a lumpectomy and was finally diagnosed with a big (10cm) area of DCIS and several small multifocal IDC 2 weeks after that. They didn't get clear margins so I had a mastectomy 2 weeks later. It still wasn't treated that seriously. I was initially told I didn't need any further treatment and not referred to the oncologist for another 3 months, and didn't start (optional) chemo for another 2 after that. Anyway, after going through that, radiotherapy and hormonal treatment and through the trauma of endometrial cancer probably caused by tamoxifen, seven and a half years later I was diagnosed with bone mets from the BC and now have an ongoing mistrust of doctors and especially of my own judgement.

[Miadanu]

Hi all,

I've self-checked my breasts since my mum died in 1994. For the past ten years I've been pretty good at maintaining checks every 3-4 weeks and have had a number of lumps investigated as a result. It was only this latest one I found on 13th February this year that turned out to be invasive ductal cancer though (I had had a mammogram a year before that came up clear) - if I hadn't checked myself and gone to the doctor's I'd probably be dead now!

Mia

[Guest user]

Hi Everyone

I found my lump by knocking a fly off my boob, which sounds kinda weird and still makes me smile but strangley enough my lump can't be found when laying flat or pressing against my breast.

[tors]

bump

[mizzy]

hi, i found mine while washing my hair in the bath, some shampoo fell onto my left breast i went to wipe it off with the back of my left hand and thought i felt a lump so i checked again with my right hand but could'nt feel anything but using the back of my left hand again i could feel it so i think it must have been the position of my
arm which revealed the lump, after mammogram,biopsy and ultrasound all negative it was firstly diagonosed as an enlarged lymph gland which the breast surgeon removed and it turned out to be a grade 3 her2+ tumour and i had 6 chemo 25 rads and 18 herceptin.. Mizzy xxx

[Guest user]

I found mine while putting my little boy in the bath. As my breast was sore I didnt think for one minute that it would be BC. At that point I could feel a pea like lump and soreness around it. As my little boy was under 2 and I was 36 I thought it would probably be block milk ducts. After waiting a few days I thought I'd better make a doctors appt to check it all out. My appt was with a locum doctor as my regular doctor was on holiday and I must admit the experience was not good as he didnt explain anything,and i even had to request some one to be present while he examined me.

However once I had been refered to to the consultant they did a mamogram and biopsy all in the same appointment. The consultant even told me there and then that there was a high probability that it was cancer. Although I was shell shocked I have nothing but praise for my consultant and his team for their professionalism and care. I only wish my initial appointment could of been the same.

[Guest user]

I was 45 when I found my lump. Referred by doctor for mammogram and ultrasound, followed by biopsy. Result was a 2.2cm lump containing 4mm of ductal (grade 3) and the rest was lobular (grade 2). 6 x fec, radiotherapy and tamoxifen. Will be having my third FEC on the 16th September. No family history of bc although father had bowel cancer 5 years ago from which he has now recovered. Started having panic attacks about 21/2 to 3 years ago (always around the time of my period) and wonder whether they are related to the bc.

[Guest user]

hi had thickening of tissue in left breast from age 32 , went to breast clinic four times over 4 yrs to be told just thickening of the tissue and to come back for regular check ups from age 40 as bc in family. in april 2010 age 37 when back again as pain in lump and under arm and nipple started to sink in at one side.i,ve got grade 2 invasive cancer . i had wle in may and they took 5 lymph nodes out which are all positive. just had 4th fec of 6 then will have all lymph nodes out followed by 6 radio and hormone injections ovaries removed and 7yrs of tomoxifen.i now know 90% of bc starts as thickening and i wish i'd had the lump out before it changed to cancer. i just hopr the treatment works and look forward to next yr and going on holiday with my husband and three children after 11mths of treatment are over.

[Guest user]

hi vickie
havent been back on for awhile. but ive now seen forum for pregnancy it is getting more common sadly.im good thank you xx

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi all

I just wanted to let you know about some of the younger women's services we have available at the moment, here are links to the telephone support group and also dates for the yw forums for 2010/2011 in case you haven't come across them:

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/about-us/our-services/support-for-younger-women/younger-women-tel...

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/new-younger-womenʹs-forum-dates-2010-2011-t25534.html

Best wishes
Lucy

[tors]

Hi piggy, thanks for posting your story. There are a few ladies who are pregnant and undergoing Chemo at the moment. Just wondered if you had spotted their threads? Hope things are ok for you

vickie

[Guest user]

hi im new on here. i first felt my lump while laying in bed i just rested my hand between my boobs and felt a pea like lump on my left breast on the edge of my clevage.i was 7 wks pregnant at the time so just thought it was something to do with that. went to docs to be sure and she said "why are you here" made me feel bit silly so just left not concerned. 3 wks later after feeling it everyday i knew it had got bigger now like a baked bean so went back to another doc who still didnt think it was anything to worry about but sent me to breast unit anyway. and thank god he did as a wk later after first biopsy i was told i had breast cancer and they found another 2 lumps that i hadnt even felt. very scary time but all worked out now. some docs are rubbish and dont think breast cancer accurs in young women. how wrong they are. hope they are brought up to speed soon.xx

[tors]

Bump

[Buzzy]

I found my lump while lying in bed one morning. My breasts are quite lumpy anyway and I had had a mammogram some years before (it was all clear) but this lump was different. I called my doctors and got an appointment on the Monday morning. By Wednesday i had received an appointment at the breast clinic for the following Wednesday. That was this week so my diagnosis is new and I have to wait until next week for the plan of action.
My mum has had breast cancer. Hers was detected on a routine mammogram which she wasn't originally going to attend! Thank god she did as hers was in her milk ducts so may not have been detected otherwise. She was in her 60's then and is all clear now and still with us aged 78.

[Guest user]

Hi
I found mine whilst in the shower. I had been a regular checker for quite some time. The celebrity shock value made me a regular checker. i.e Kylie, jade goody ect... Anyway for a couple of weeks I felt a dragging sensation in the lower side of my right breast. Just though I'd over stretched or something. Anyway on examination I noticed what felt like thickened tissue and a jagged feeling along the top of it. Initially I didn't think much of it cuz i had an area of thickened tissue on the top of my breast. But I checked again a couple of days later and just felt that something wasn't right and decided to get it checked out. So here I am nearly 3 months later having being diagnosed with grade 2 ductal carcinoma insitu, had a wide excision removing a 4 cm tumour, 9 lymph nodes removed, a further 1 cm margin of tissue removed. I have started chemo. I am having 3 FEC and 4 tax. Herceptin, tamoxifen and radiotherapy after chemo. So a whirlwind few months. I do have to say that after talking to many of my girlfriends that most of them don't check themselves and are under the impression that any cancerous lump would be like a pea shape/size. To be honest life before cancer too had given me the impression that anything dodgy would be a round lump. Whether this impression is from media or from magazines or whatever I am not sure. If it is then maybe things need to change

[Guest user]

Hi everybody
well, it is incredibly interesting and uplifting in a way to find so many similar stories on the Forum! I discovered my lump in my left breast at the beginning of June (age 49 and 11 months) as I was lying down in bed. Like many of you wasn't quite sure whether I was imagining it or not. As the other breast felt different (i.e. soft and lump free)I decided to do the sensible thing and see my GP a few days later. She examined me and told me there wasn't probably anything to worry about. She reckoned it was a benign fibroadenoma but referred me all the same to my local Breast Clinic (and thank God for that, in retrospect!).My general health was excellent and I could tick all the boxes for factors supposedly protecting you against it: there is no history of breast cancer in my family, I had children young and breastfed them both, I don't drink, I don't smoke and I have never been on the pill. I also have a well balanced diet. So I was pretty confident it was all a big fuss about nothing. Anyway I went for the appointment on 22nd June, ALONE as I honestly thought they would give me the all clear. HOW WRONG was I? Following a mammography, a scan and a core biopsy (by the time they gunned the needles in me my optimism was beginning to fade)I was told on the day I had indeed breast cancer. I was totally STUNNED!Mercifully when the ax fell my husband had joined me (I had rung him at work in a state of panic as I had started to realize by the non-reassuring body language of nurses and doctors that things were not going as I expected). So mercifully he was with me when the surgeon gave me the diagnosis of breast cancer. I don't need to explain to you the absolute feeling of shock, horror and desbelief when you are told. Nothing can quite prepare you for it.
The rest is history: I had a WLE on 5th July to remove the tumor and another one on 26th to do an axilla clearance and breast reconstruction (lat dorsi mini flap). They found a 37 mm. grade 1 tumor and one lymphnode affected. Recovering from op now feeling very sore but positive all the same that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Reading the experience of other ladies going through the same thing has helped me tremendously. Chemo will be next but one step at a time, right? It feels soooooooooooo good to read other women's stories in the meantime.
THank you Breast Cancer Care for making it possible.
Lulu60

[Guest user]

Hiya all,
noticed quite a few people talk about finding lump whilst lying down. For me it was the opposite. I had checked myself regularly after having a scare about 15 years ago. I always laid in the bath and checked breasts, armpits, etc.
After a brilliant new years eve party at my house, my friends were staying the night. the following morning, because they were using the bathroom and i was unable to have a bath, i had a shower in my ensuite ( something i never do cos i hate showers ). You guessed it, whilst washing standing up, i found my lump. 2 days later i was at doctors and within 2 weeks had dx - Grade 3 WLE - stage 2 - no lymph nodes. I have just finished 6 chemo of TCH ( Tax, Carbo and Herceptin). Just started Tamoxifen and still got 11 more Herceptin to go.
Please tell everyone to check themselves both stood up and laying down, bacause once i found lump, if i laid down, it could not be felt, this is obviously how i had missed it for so long.

[Guest user]

Routine mammo at 50 no lumps or symptoms. At first they said non invasive DCIS but widespread so mastectomy only option and then pathology showed 4mm invasive and one node. Now done 6 chemos and have second Herceptin tomorrow. I am sure we have all been traumatised by this. When I got the news I remembered this passage from a novel I had read:-

" Right now I want a word that describes the feeling you get- a cold sick feeling deep down inside when you know something is happening that will change you and you don't want it to but you can't stop it. And you know for the first time, for the very first time, that there will now be a before and an after, a was and a will be. And that you will never again be quite the same person you were " Jennifer Donnelley " A Gathering Light "

True ?

[Guest user]

Hmmmm there seems to be a lying down theme going on here 🙂 I lost about 3.5 stone last summer after being made redundant. I was a first time Grand mother and wanted to be a more glamourous one, and thank heavens I did! One night I was lying in bed and ran my hand over my right breast, I was kind of lying on my side at the time so I thought I was feeling my breast bone at first. I remember thinking that it felt a strange shape so I turned over and did the same on the other side to see if I had a matching one on the other side - I didn't. I turned back over and felt again and thought to myself this is definately a lump! I was so calm though, I dont know why but I just went to sleep without a worry!

The next couple of days I checked and yes it was still there and whilst trying on a new dress for my grand daughters christening I mentioned it to my partner - I could tell from his face he thought it was serious, so mentioned it later that day to my daughter too - I am not sure why i didnt go to the dr's straight away, I think I thought it would just go away or that I was imagining it. I went on the Monday, and was referred straight away. The GP (Male) asked another GP (female) to examine me and I could tell that she thought it was serious and I was referred straight away to the hospital, she asked me if I had any worries and I said no, I honestly didnt - it all felt so unreal, as if it was a mistake!

At the hospital I went for a mammogram and the radiographer reminded me 3 times that I had a clinic appointment later that afternoon - I thought that was strange too, but thought they were being cautious! I have no idea what I thought but felt it was definatly all a lot of fuss!

When I finally saw the surgeon after being examined by two registra's, he used an ultrasound to look at the lump and spent a long time examining my armpit! I remember thinking how it couldn't be serious because he wasnt even looking in the right place! How innocent can one 51 year old woman be!

I was totally shocked when he stood back and said I had Breast Cancer! How could he know that? I then realised that it must be a classic diagnosis and it was indeed serious. He let me calm down a bit and did a biopsy. When I returned about 5 days later they confirmed that I had early stage grade 2 cancer with no sign of spread to my lymph nodes! The penny dropped at last about the extensive ultrasound scanning of my armpit!

I had a WLE and the tumor was 3cm, he had expected 1.2, and 5 nodes removed instead of only the sentinel as the tumor was so much larger. Thankfully there was no spread and after 6x FEC and 25 rads I am now on arimidex and slowly returning to normal!

Sorry this is a long post! I wanted to say that although it took a long time for the penny to drop about just how serious this all was, I still went to all the checks. If I had left it much longer the story would definatley have been a different one, the tumor was very close to the bone and who knows what would have happened if I had left it any longer. If you have anything, no matter how old or young you are get it checked, its better to feel that you have wasted someones time than to have wasted the rest of your life because you didnt want to be a nuicance,

[tors]

i could only feel mine easily lying down, though once i knew it was there i could detect it without lying down, but my gp couldnt and just mentioned "thickening" on the referral letter. Hope your move to oz goeswell,

Vickie

[Guest user]

Great thread...

I had a breast exam in December as part of a medical for my Australian visa - we were supposed to be moving there in Jan. My GP did the medical and passed me just fine. But 2 weeks later I did a routine exam in the bath, found a small lump, wondered if it was actually just my rib, but it didn't feel the same as on the other side so started to panic. The following day (new years eve, nice) I saw another GP who referred me to breast clinic and because we were supposed to be moving to Oz only a week later they saw me that day, and by 3pm I'd had mammogram, core needle biopsy and was told they really didn't think it was anything else...and you know the rest from there...I had lumpectomy & SNB, then node clearance - 3/12 affected, done my 6 chemos, rads and now tamoxifen, and feeling a little wobbly about the future, but looking forward to getting back up to normal pace and to moving to Oz in Oct now.

Have recently emailed a bunch of girlfriends to remind them to check, and to say that I think I wouldn't have found mine if it wasn't a lying-down check as it was flat against my ribs - and I'm amazed how many girls don't check (one in her mid-thirties said she had never checked and really must.....er, yes). I've even had some friends tell me they would 'just know'. I'm convinced there are a whole lot more young women out there with it who just haven't found it yet. Not that I'm perfect - who knows how long mine had been there I can't say I checked precisely monthly...

[tors]

bump

[Guest user]

Found mine the morning after I got engaged. Well my other half did. We'd had an amazing night before, after 9 years he got down on one knee and did the whole formal proposal thing, cried as I said yes.
The next morning while i was getting ready to go to his parents to tell them the good news he crept up behind me, gave me a squeeze and said "you've got a lump".
We did get married, brought it forward to avoid chemo treatment dates so instead of the new year wedding we'd talked about we got a rainy day in November. Incredibly emotional day for me and the family.
Finally finished my treatment now apart from the tamoxifen, hair's growing back, ready to get on with life!

[et1]

I felt a lump last July while lying in bed with my arm over my head, I think I was scratching an itch at the time. I asked my OH if he could feel a lump he said no he couldn't, so I ignored it and tried to put it out of my mind.
My breast did feel sort of heavy when I walked but I though it was because I am a bit overweight. I went on holiday last August and kept feeling for the lump which I was becoming convinced was actually there, but there is no history in my family I was 48 and had breast fed all three of my children, (my eldist for three years), so thought I was immune from cancer, if fact it never crossed my mind that my lump would be cancer, I thought it was a cyst.
By September I was convinced there was a lump there and asked OH to feel again, he said it was a muscle or tendon. It was quite high up near the breast bone so I didn't think it was a breast lump. I decided to wait a cycle and see if it disappeared, it didn't. OH said if your still worried go to the GP just to put your mind at rest. So I did and two weeks later had a mamogramme, followed by a scan and then a core biopsy and was told there and then that it was DCIS and invasive carcinoma, It was a total shock, I was still expecting a cyst. Ten days later I was having a mastectomy, 4cm tummor as well as DCIS, tripple neg. and have now finished five months of chemo. Fingers crossed that's the end of my story...apart from a reconstruction I hope next year.

[tors]

anyone want to put their story on?

[Guest user]

Hello
I too have had 2 diagnoses of bc but mine were in the same breast, 12 years apart.
I had had a left mastectomy in 1997 aged 38 after finding a slight and painless thickening. I and GP both thought it was nothing to worry about but I went to see her because it seemed daft not to have a change (however slight) checked out and she referred me to be on the safe side.
I still checked the remaining breast tissue on the left side as well as the 'good' side over the years and luckily, I found the second lump fairly early after the area became sore, as it had mutated from a grade 1 to a grade 3.
I guess there are no 'rules' except somehow not to give up your life to anxiety, but not to be complacent either. Surprising how possible that is....
good luck everyone
monica xx

[Guest user]

Hi all, I'm new. I came on here primarily for the Secondary Breast Cancer Forum but then found myself drawn to this forum too. I'm not really young now compared with you young fillies in your 20's and 30's, but I was just 31 years old when I had my first diagnosis and I also think of myself as being younger than I actually am, lol. So here I am.

My late Mum had BC twice (aged 41 and 44) before bowel cancer finally claimed her when she was 58 and I was 19. She always told me to check myself regualarly, so I did religiously from the age of 18.

When I was 31, I was doing my monthly breast check and I found a pee-size lump in my left breast. I wasn't overly concerned, I thought perhaps it's the time of the month, but then when it was still there 2 weeks later, I got increasingly concerned about it and ended up in tears at work worried, my boss immediately told me to go see my GP. Which I did the same day. She said she thought it was fatty tissue or a cyst or a fibroidanoma (sp) and not to be worried about it. I broke down in tears again in front of her and insisted I be referred to the Breast Clinic. Which she did begrudgingly, as she didn't think it was anything serious at my age! As her parting shot, she also prescribed me diazepam (valium)!

Appointment at the Breast Clinic 3 days later, expected to have a mammogram and be told it was indeed fatty tissue, cyst or fibroidthingy. But no, I then had an ultrasound followed by a biopsy, so by then I was REALLY worried. Had to wait 3 days for results, was absolutely kakking myself and they were the longest 3 days in the world! It still came as a huge shock when I was told I had cancer tho' and my world fell apart. Had a mastectomy, but no further treatment needed as I had caught it early.

Five years and 3 months later (when I was 37), I was doing my monthly breast check, when I found another lump in my right breast. I panicked and immediately rang my breast care nurse who told me to come down straight away. Had a mammogram and whilst I was waiting for the ultrasound, she came to sit and chat with me. I asked her if she thought it was cancer again and that I wanted to know now. She said it didn't look good and they were fairly certain it had returned. Had the ultrasound and biopsy. Went back 3 days later and was told it had, but by then I'd already come to terms with it. Another mastectomy followed, again no treatment as I had caught it early - well apart from tamoxifen for 5 years.

I really can't emphasise enough the importance of checking ones-self. My friends all do after what happened to me at such a young age and touch wood they're all ok, altho' one did have a scare, but it was benign thankfully.

At my local support group, 12 years ago when I was first diagnosed, there was only me in the 30's and under age group, now there's approx 15 out of a group of 60. Sadly!

Anyway, sorry for rambling on, hope you're all having a lovely day, keep smiling and keep yer peckers up! 🙂

x

p.s. Found it ironic that 2 years after my first diagnosis my GP got breast cancer and could really relate to my upset/fears then. She even asked to see my reconstruction at one appointment I had with her as she was considering it and wanted to see the resultsd of it first hand, lol.

[Guest user]

My mother's nipple became inverted and this prompted her to get it checked. She didn't feel any lump and it was only when she had the mammogram that they found it hidden behind the nipple. Unfortunately her cancer had already spread to the lymph nodes but it is very fortunate that her nipple turned in as otherwise it's highly likely she would not have felt the lump until much further along the line.

[Guest user]

I found my lump (7mm) because I had an itch just next to my nipple. Was lying on a hotel bed on holiday one afternoon, reading. Was just like a pea that pinged around under the skin. Thought nothing of it.

A few weeks later I was going to the doctor for something unrelated and thought I'd better mention it - she said it was probably a harmless 'breast-mouse' but sent me for 2-week referral, just in case. Nothing showed on mammogram, lump on ultrasound - I was 32. Core biopsy. Results more than 3 weeks later a complete and utter shock, not helped by appalling bedside manner of doctor who told me on the same day I'd need a mastectomy, lymph clearance, chemotherapy, tamoxifen, radiotherapy and would go through the menopause and never have children, all while looking at his shoes. I didn't see him again!

[somerset_lady]

hi there,
my story is a bit different to you other ladies and i would love to hear if anyone else had anything similar.
i had a rash appear on my leg, very itchy, but the weather was warm, last april so didn't think too much of it. The rash then spread onto my back and stomach, so I went to docs, who started tests, thinking it might be the start of diabeties. I was given a lotion to put in the bath to help ease the itchyness(by this time i was making myself bleed with continuious scratching) and this made my skin very oily, so as i got out the bath i rubbed excess oil off and felt a pea size lump on side of left breast. Got very scared and made appt to see doc next day, she examined me, said it was nothing to worry about, and i burst into tears, i had lost my mum to lung cancer the year before. She said she would refer me mainly to make me feel more reasured that there was nothing sinister.had mammagram, the scan where the lady said it looked a bit ominous and wanted to do core biopsy, i think i knew then deep down that it was cancer. had it confirmed and had wle oct last year. After op my rash just vanished,
i am convinced it was my body telling me there was something wrong and a different doc i saw at local surgery agrees(or is he humouring me?)anyway i am finished with treatment now and i definatley check regulary now.
mandyx

[Guest user]

Hi

I had a dimpled area at the side of my right nipple, I could also feel a thickened area above it. Neither was painful. My GP didnt see anything to worry about but referred me to breast clinic for a check. I had mammo and ultrasound which showed 3 areas of concern. I was sent for biopsies, which showed 2 cancerous areas 1.7cm and 1.5cm. The only lolution was mastectomy and I had lymph node sampling. Tests revealed 2 out of 3 nodes were positive. I had 8 epi/cmf chemo and now take tamoxifen. I am 3 years post diagnosis and feel well.

Take care

Carolyn x

[Guest user]

I first found a painful lump in my armpit after a long car journey. The lump was rubbing against my seatbelt. The morning after it was still aching and as I rubbed the area I noticed a second lump in my breast. I went to my Gp the next week. He didnt think there was anything sinister but referred me just in case. I was diagnosed Sep 2007 with a 2cm triple negative tumour. The lump in the armpit was a cancerous lymph node. Lumpectomy, Chemo and rads followed. Most GP's say that if there is pain it is unlikely to be cancer, although many do experience pain. I was 49 at the time. My GP said don't worry I'm sure you'll come out of the Breast clinic smiling! How wrong could he have been.

[Guest user]

Late to the party but here finally. I did the IBIS study 2000 - 2005, and after that fell into genetic screening due to family history - maternal grandmother did pre 50 and sister double mx also pre 50. Had routine mammo Nov 07 - clear. Next routine mammo Mar 09. In pre mammo check nurse spotted indentation in lower breast, and she just said "we'll get that ultrasounded" - I thought nothing of this. Mammogram scarily was clear, but ultrasound showed something suspicious, which led to agonising core biopsy (2 valium required to get me thru it!) and biopsy of axilla.

A week later the news I'd expected - grade 2 cancer in breast and cancer in lymph nodes. Onto treadmill we go.

As an aside, I had to have a wire prior to WLE as lump was not 'feelable'. Initial insertion was fine, but when it hit the tumour - Ouch!! My tumour was obviously a sensitive wee beast who objected to being interfered with, as he'd shown during biopsy and took his last chance to assert himself as the wire went in! Fortunately I went straight from wire insertion to theatre and the kind anaethetist saw my agony and knocked me out PDQ!

[sandra4]

Good idea Vickie!
I wonder if it would be possible to have a breast care nurse visit our doctors surgery, perhaps once a month to give a talk or as you say how to examine yourself.
It doesn't have to be every GP surgery, they could advertise it in the local press suggesting a talk and get together in one or two local surgeries in that area, l am sure they would get a lot of ladies interested.
Our breast care nurse does a talk in our walk in centre once a month which is fine, but by then you already have breast cancer!!
In fact her next talk is next Wednesday, l think l will suggest it to her!
Sandra xxx

[tors]

as its a month since last post on this thread, i just wondered if theres anybody else wanting to post their story>
?

Also, i am amazed that we are not spoken to routinely about breast exams at our smear test appointments. I know smears can be stressful, but cannot believe this alone would stop the opportunity to give the info out. Does anyone know anything about why this seemingly obvious approach is not untilised widely? Does anyone have any views about it?

[Guest user]

I had small shooting pains in my breast on and off for a few years and thought it was a mole i had catching on something. Found the lump beg of last year and went to the GP, told him my mum had died of breast cancer and my aunt had it too. He examined me and said he thought it was a fibrous lump. There was another doc in the room who he asked if i wanted to examine me also as he was a specialist (stupidly presumed he was a cancer or breast specialist, why else would he offer!!) He said the same and i left feeling okay that it was nothing. Have since found out that doc was a gynacologist.

Beginning of this year i went back and saw a female doc who sent me to the clinic the next week but said it would probably be nothing as quite big (6cm by 6cm) and painful. Was told after the scans and biopsies to come back the next week but to prepare myself for it not being good news. Was absolutely shocked and angry when i went back and they said it was cancer at not being referred in the first place. Seems like this happens a lot. I had pointed out to my GP that my breast was completly puckered up on the under side which i now know is a sign of breast cancer.

[Guest user]

I noticed a very slight indentation low down on the outside of my wife's breast when she was having a shower aged 47. There were no other symptoms, and she would certainly not have been able to see it herself.

There was a lump inside the breast, but almost impossible to detect by touch (Even the consultant said so later), but the (lady) GP referred her to the breast unit. When we went for her mammogram, we expected it to be nothing, but then they did an ultrasound and took biopsies in the breast and under-arm. The diagnosis after the biopsy was 6cm tumour, with 2 lymph nodes clearly involved.

After mastectomy, the path report said IDC, 2.5cm longest dimension, and just 2 nodes involved. We were actually elated to hear that, much to the oncologist's dismay.

(Soon after, I wrote an article in my blog about how husbands/partners should be educated to be "breast-aware".)

[Guest user]

Hi Everyone My first sign of anything was a very small amount of blood coming from my nipple. At first I wasnt sure where it was from as found dots in my bra! It was only when on holiday as I was wearing PJ's due to having kids in room with us that I realized it bled every night! On return I went to GP who sent me to BC Clinic. I had to wait about 4 weeks. I had mamogram and bloods everything was clear! They said to come back in 3 months. Again everthing clear just said it was a inductal papilloma (wart in ducts). Gave me the option of having small op to remove wart or just waiting for it to stop bleeding. I was SO glad I had op as it was when I went back for check up that I was given the news of Cancer! Such a shock as I was told everything was clear! I was sent for MRI as this was the only way it would show up. Within the month of waiting for mascetomy my breast had shown signs of dimpling and firming up. But other than that nothing. I ended up with a grade 2 tumour of 8cms Lobular BC and consultant said he was vey shocked as he never expected what he found!!
There are so many signs and symptoms not one of us seem to be the same. No wonder people get confused and concerned there does'nt seem to be an exact science to diagonsing Breast Cancer!

[Lulu34]

tresanne this is posted in the younger women section so im guessing thats why so many younger women are posting.

also there is a predominately larger number of under 50s who use computers compared to over 50s so these is always that skewing of the numbers.

but im another younger one...

i was diagnosed at 37 when i had a tugging sensation in my breast in the upper outer quadrant and thought it was the end of my under wires digging in.... had a feel about and felt something which i can only describe as chewed up chewing gum.... a very 'lumpy' lump.

my mum had BC 18 months before this so made an appt with GP who referred me to clinic as non-urgent but felt because of mums Dx i should get it checked. had mammo 5 weeks later and was diagnosed with a grade 1 stage 1 1.3mm IDC in right breast.

when my 2nd cancer was diagnosed last year i had felt a pain on right side and my BCN organised an exam of both breasts and USS of the right side. all showed normal.... my annual mammo was due in two months but nurse suggested coming back in 1 month instead. had another examination which was normal and then mammos then phone call, 2 working days later to attend for further mammos as something suspicious on the left side!

after that had a feel about and found a smooth rounded lump at the top of left breast.... worked in family planning and womens health so got some of the docs to check it and they said it felt benign... BCN said mammo report thought it was benign but just needed to be checked.... diagnosed with a grade 3, 1.9cm TNBC with LVI.

so the smooth one was the more aggressive one and the lumpy one was the less aggressive.

the pain i had with the first one may have made me notice the lump, but my main symptom was the lump.... with the 2nd one the pain was on the opposite side (infact i still have that pain) so i guess it was just incidental.

sometimes you just cant tell.

Lx