How did you find your lump/symptoms?

[Guest user]

I went to see my GP when I found a lump - after examining me she said she did not think it was anything to worry about but because I was worried she would refer me to the Breast Clinic. Subsequent mamogram, ultrasound and biopsy proved her right, it was just a harmless mass. However, these tests did pick up another lump that I had no idea about and that unfortunately was cancer. It was quite deep inside my breast so I would not have noticed it for a long time and I was not due to start routine mamograms for another 4 years. I therefore feel really lucky that it was found by accident - I dread to think what the outcome would have been otherwise.

[Guest user]

i had a thickened area on upper right breast felt muscular but different went to a lady gp she had good feel but said it didnt feel like anything to worry about so was pleased, went away but it was worrying me just felt odd and bigger went to male gp about 8 wks later he referred me straight away to breast clinic, just wish she had been more vigil or that i had gone back sooner maybe it wouldnt have been in lymph nodes who knows? did write to surgery didnt want her turning other women away got a letter of apology from head gp there saying they would have a meeting to stress this happening and how lumps must be referred.have always been breast aware took my eye off the game for few months due to job change and daughters wedding and it was suddenly there!the rest is history ...well actually very much the present.x

[poppyscarlet]

Hello I am newly diagnosed 21st April. Got lobular cancer, went undetected for two years. Presented with sysmptoms but told it was begnine hormonal changes. Almost relieved when finally diagnosed. Had MRI showed just in one breast although multiple sites. Has anyone else been misdiagnosed with this type of cancer? Feel so angry now, as may have avoided mastectomy, which I now face.

[Guest user]

I had no lump but noticed while in the shower that my nipple looked different, one was flat, also i just hadnt felt right for a couple of months, really tired mostly, i already had an appointment to see my doctor so mentioned it, she said the top of my nipple had a thickening so referred me. The rest is history!

[cushkin]

Hi I found my lump while showering, it was quite prominent and hard and I hadn't noticed it before. I went straight to my doctor who referred me to the hospital.
I had a needle thingy to see if it was a cist, I think because of my age, 30, the doctor had first thought that this was more likely. Nothing came out with the needle so I had a mammogram and an ultra sound and a needle biopsy (which was so bloody painful I nearly kicked the doctor) Nothing showed on these apart from abnormal cells and I had a moment of hope when the doctor doing the ultra sound said she though that everything looked normal and she didn't think there was anything to worry about.
But thank goodness, my specialist wasn't happy to leave it at that so did a core biopsy which showed it was indeed BC and was about 2 cm.
When I think what could have happened if I hadn't noticed it or had not gone to the GP or if the specialist hadn't done further checks, it's scary.
I had a lumpectomy and nodes removed for testing. The lump had grown onto a lymph note but not into it, and the margins were clear.

I am now on my last fec chemo which is this week thank God then onto rads x20 then Herceptin. But I have decided to take part in clinical trials which you have Herceptin for 6 months or a year to see how effective 6 months will be in the hope it can limit any heart damage done by having it for 12 months, anythings worth a try.
I have also been having Zoladex injections, much to my dismay but in hope of preserving my fertility (fingers, toes and eyes crossed) I have been having terrible hot flushes, to the point of almost having to swim out of bed in the morning 🙂

Going back to work in 3 weeks so can feel like I'm getting back to normality. My hair started growing back 2 weeks ago but I look like a baby chick 🙂 But I have been lucky apart from some sickness for a few days after chemo I have been really well and stayed really positive, here's to staying strong and beating this thing 🙂

Emma x

[Guest user]

I was visiting my mother and after a 4 hour drive had a pain in my left breast that came an went for 48 hours. I went to the Dr and she thought she could feel a small lump, I could too but as I had 'done everything right' she tried to reassure me it would be ok. Saw the surgeon, he could hardly feel it but sent me on the one stop road. I had mammogram, showed nothing, had ultrasound scan, the radiographer looked worried. Had another mammogram with enlargment plates, still showed nothing clearly. I was told I had the breast of a 30 year old woman, I'm 57. Too dense to see anything clearly on the mammogram. They took a biopsy from the lump and a week later was told Grade 2 DCIS. Went through WLE but only 2 sentinal lymph nodes taken due to new procedure, microbubbles, which allowed a biopsy of my sentinal nodes before the op which showed clear. They take 2 during the op just to be sure and they were rechecked. Still clear. The bad news was I was upgraded to Grade 3.

I then had to choose for myself whether or not to have Chemo or just go with rads and Femera. Thanks to this website I received lots of useful opinions and am now on day 11 of FEC 1.

I missed a routine mammogram last JUune due to appointment coming for when I was on holiday. I phoned from Dover docks with the appointment letter in my hand that had arrived that morning. Didn't rush to make another appointment and lucky for me I didn't as it wouldn't have shown the lump and I might have ignored the pain, thinking eveything was ok.

[gaybar1969]

hi ive been having routine mammograms since my early 20s. my auntie and mum both had breast cancer. it was a routine mammogram that found my lump. xxx gaynor

[CheshireCheese]

Adding to my earlier post on this thread.
I'd been referred from my GP to the breast consultant a few years earlier (age 47) when I'd found a thickened area in my breast, which they checked with a fine needle biopsy and turned out to be a number of small cysts. So when I found a similar feeling patch again (age 50), which I thought was in the same place, I ignored it for a while thinking it was just cysts again, and after all I'd had a clear mammogram only a year or so earlier so it should be OK. Then I felt a lump next to the thickened area and thought I'd better get it checked. My GP thought it wasn't anything to worry about and that I'd got lumpy breasts, but I should get it checked out anyway. Thank goodness for that! The lump turned out to be a cyst again, but it was the thickened patch that was cancer. And I was wrong in thinking it was in the same place as the last time - it was the other breast. It just shows how relying on your memory of earlier health problems can be a mistake - and how it pays to play it safe.
Sarah x

[AvenueSue_]

I had a lumpy left breast all my life and had been referred to a breast clinic on two occasions. The last referral was in Feb 2009. My husband found a 'hardness' in the right breast in Jan 2010. I ignored it as I'd been for a mammogram and didn't want to be one of the worried well. It did get bigger but so gradually that changes were hard to spot.
I had a routine smear in September. The practice nurse at my GP surgery asked me about breast checking and I told her about the changes. She told me to see the GP.
Even when I went to the breast clinic, I was convinced they would send me home and it would be nothing, as before. This was until the tests. I remember someone came in to take a core biopsy from my breast an FNA from my armpit. I was in such shock that I signed the forms and just lay on my side and wept very quietly.
Seeing the surgeon afterwards was hard as I was on my own. His words were: "We have found something and I need you to come back next week. You should bring someone with you."
I don't know how I drove home from the hospital, or how I got through the next ten days.
I went back to the clinic on the 14th October.The news was no surprise but I was shocked by the size and spread. I had chemo upfront (FECT), mastectomy and axillary clearance. My tumours (several due to crumbling effect of chemo) measured 140mm, 9/12 nodes affected, plus vascular invasion in breast and lymph fat. I am not large breasted and still feel really stupid for not going to the GP when the thickening was first found. I suppose I expected anything sinister to be a definite lump, like the lumps I had experienced in the left breast.
I am very grateful for the practice nurse who asked the right question and made me see the GP. She may have saved my life.
This is a great thread and it has felt really liberating to share my experience and I feel very humbled by reading others' stories.

[sky2sea]

I had my first mammogram towards Jun'09 just before I was 50. That was clear and I used to check my breasts irregularly. Found a lump at the beginning of Dec '10. Saw my GP within a couple of days and got a referral to the breast clinic. I took up the offer of a cancellation there and after an examination, mammogram us and biopsy that day I left with the info that I almost certainly had BC and would need a lumpectomy and radiotherapy after confirmation. I had a lumpectomy and snb on 22nd Dec and needed a re-ex to get clear margins. I had 32mm stage 2 tumour and clear nodes.

[tors]

Anyone else want to add their story?

[Guest user]

hi all i found mine by chcnce
it was at the end of the dreaded monthlys just had a shower and was sitting in bed watching a little tv when i placed my hand on my breast (left) i could feel a hard lump right under my fingers infact you could see it just to add this lump wasnt there the night before i called my daughter to come take a look and she too could see it so monday was off to doc to make sure doc said she thought it was a cyst as she could move it freely anyway with in 7 days i had an appointment throught for the bc wot you have to know is this wasnt my first time here 10 yrs ago i was here with a lump only to be told it was all todo with hormons and im one of many to have lumpy boobs also they put it also my mother had breast cancer some yrs back too so i didnt really know wot to think . had a lovely doctor who thought it was a cyst but was a bit more unsure cos of the shape so had scan from that he went and ask the top doc wot he thought he thought it was just a cyst too dont worrie but after a few words (between top doc and under dog ) i had a needle stuck in and fluid was taken out cyst yes so i thought he also did a fine needle test told to go have a cuppa dont worrie almost sure it was just a cyst well 30 mins later they drop the bomb shell it was bc and my story still goes on only thing that i didnt like was not once did the top doc say sorry to his under study who thought somethink wasnt right from the start

[Lisa_x]

Thanks for the hugs Tors, really in need of them today! This really is a sh**ty disease.

Lisa

[Guest user]

I was called to have my first mamogram at the end of November,( I am 52) which I was not concerned about at all as I have always regularly checked my breasts, as my mother had bc, and had not noticed any changes at all. I was recalled 2 weeks later and had further mammograms, ultrasound and a biopsy and was told immediately that they suspected that there was cancer -it was high up near to my armpit and very hard to find by feel. I also had the confirmation of dx on 23rd December, so not great for Christmas! 18 mm IDC with 6/19 nodes affected. I think it is very good news that screening will start from 47 in future. I have afriend who is 56 who has refused to attend any screenings - so silly.

[tors]

Hi lisa, what a long route to dx you had. No wonder you are feeling p****d off. I had mammogram plus ultrasound when i was dx, but just had first annual mammogram and they wouldnt ultrasound me, said its not necessary. Am not impressed with that. It seems there is little consistency. Hugs to you tho lisa, you're in the middle of a rotten time but it will pass. Xxxx

[Lisa_x]

Hi Vickie,

I noticed a very small lump about 7 years, i can't even remember how I found it. Anyway, I went to the one stop clinic and was told it was a small cyst, so small that it wouldn't need draining.
I noticed another lump in April '10. I examined myself periodically but by no means on a regular monthly basis. Again, I was referred to the one stop clinic, had an ultrasound scan by a very sing songy radiographer, she said it waas nothing to worry about but the doctor would give me the daignosis. I felt a bit silly really, being sent away being told nothing to worry about, large pendulous breasts (gee thanks! what a lovely description) and it's just a cyst. Like I had made a fuss over nothing. At the same time, i applied for a new job on promotion and worried about the lump as I would never had accepted the post had I known I had BC. getting the all clear, i starte a new job.
I began to notice a change in the shape and size of my breast around June/July '10 but didn't worry about it too much. I thought I had the all clear didn't I?
I even forgot to mention it to my doc when I went for repeat contraceptive pills in Sept. it wasn't until Dec when I went for more pills (I had borrowed packs off my friend and sister in the summer and paid them back hence the revisit within a few months for more pills). I casually (thinking I was fussing over nothing again asked the doc to check out my breast and again got a referral to the one stop clinic. This time, I went on my own and only told my boss, BF and son. i even told the consultant not to worry about the lump as this was a cyst! I had a mammogram and ultrasound, biopsy and fine needle aspiration in the lymph nodes. I got my Dx on 23rd Dec (crappy christmas) and an attempted therapeutic mammoplasty on 10th Jan. My path results showed the tumour was 76mm and IDC of 94mm (600 gms removed)I had 4 nodes removed and all 4 showed cancer cells. I didn't have clear margins either. I have chosen to have chemo now and then a Mx and a reduction on the other side as a g cup and no cup is just not fair(not really faced that yet). Will also have herceptin and tamoxifen and if not a hysterectomy, some injection to stop the ovaries working

Amazing isn't it that a cyst less than a year ago can grow so quickly! I have asked how a cyst can turn into cancer and still don't feel that I have been given an adequate answer. I've had 'we're getting a radiographer to have a look at the original diagnosis' 'we only do ultrasounds on younger women and it wasn't apparent' 'mammograms are not routine for under 40's'. Have also been told that I've probably been carrying this about for years so wonder why I got the cyst diagnosis. Not sure if I will take this further, I want to concentrate on getting better for now.
Really fed up today!

[tors]

Hi, i just wondered if anyone else had their stories to put on here? Thanks to everyone who has. I find it really interesting to find out the various routes we all took to our dx, and its surprising how few of us self examined to find ouf symptoms. Thanks to everyone who has already posted.

Vickie
x

[mandy1978]

I noticed a tiny spot like blemish on my left breast. I didn't think any thing of it until xmas eve 2006. I was in the bath when I felt the blemish, there was nothing there but about 1 inch away was a 2cm lump. Got straight in to the breast clinic and was dx with grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. I was 28 years old.

I never discovered if that tiny blemish was anything to do with the cancer but if it wasn't there ( being 28 and not ever really checking my breast ) I would never have found the lump.

xxx

[d1zzy22]

I had painful breasts for ages thought going through menopause, have had painful knock to L breast a few years ago and some mastitis while b/f youngest son in same breast.
Thought i found small pea like lump but wasn't sure but hadn't been checking very regularly. Kept checking over two or three months eventually told OH and daughters who insisted i go to GP. Saw locum who examined and looked concerned and she referred me to Breast Clinic. Two weeks to be seen and in meantime was sore in the area of lump probably annoyed it prodding. Went in to one stop clinic examined, FNB done, sent for mamogram, calcifications plain to see on scan. Then called back for u/s, radiologist when asked said on scale 0-5 0 being ok and 5 being malignant she told me mine looked 4-5, did 3 biopsies of thickened area next to where I had found my lump, shocked.....you bet! Back 2 days later and told to strip to waist for consultant and just knew it was definately bad news.
Have had WLE, SNB grade 2 IDC 25mm , stage 2or3, 2/17 nodes affected following ANC, also now to have chemo, rads and as 8/8 positive to oestrogen and progesterone having tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.
I had 3 eldest in 20's and youngest at 37, oldest 3 breast fed for a few months and youngest for 2 years as eczema and asthma severe. I took the pill for several years on and off from 16 then had Mirena for heavy bleeding and contraception for approx 6 years. I am dreading having it removed tomorrow as terrified I will get the really heavy bleeding back till forced menopause kicks in!!!! I wonder if Mirena was the final straw?
Almost forgot to mention diagnosed 3/12/10 at 48yrs 6 months old!

[pinkrose]

Paid to have a mammogram when I was 40 as I was worried about my family risk which was moderate (am 41) now its high as my mum was diagnosed 3 weeks after me.

First mammo at 40 was clear, second at 41 showed minor calcifications. Had steriotactic biopsy which removed all calcifications but found active cancer cells. Had SNB/WLE but showed no clear margins, found 4mm Grade 3 lump. Had MRI/ultrasound which showed nothing else, but was advised to have mastectomy - glad I did found 24mm Grade 2 and DCIS in breast tissue! Phew, so glad I went for that mammo and didn't wait until I was 50. Shame I had to pay.

Rachelx

[tors]

Bumping up for new people.

[yamslass]

I was called back after routine screening in October and told there were concerns in both breasts. After the biopsies etc it turned out I had lobular cancer in my right breast and ductal in the left. Both were stage 2 and grade 2. I had the lumpectomies and SNB in November. Unfortunately the margins were not clear so I returned for a double mx in December. I feel very fortunate that things were caught early enough to ensure that my nodes were clear meaning my only ongoing treatment is Letrozole for 5 years.
Thank goodness for breast screening. I am on a mission to encourage everyone who is eligible to go along and have it done.

[Guest user]

I have lipomas(fat accumulation) all over my body. When i found out last may 2010, a lump in my Br, i immediately went to my GP, whom redirected me to specialists. I went there hoping it was another lipoma but unfortunately it was BC. I am taking it in a +ve, atleast i found out now and rushed to the GP. Pls dont ignore any unusual happenings.

[ChoccieMuffin]

I was very alarmed 7 years ago when a lump suddenly appeared behind my nipple. It turned out to be a cyst, and as I had private health cover at the time I went off the next day for a mammogram and ultrasound. I was told I have rather cysty breasts, and that it was a cyst. I had a fine needle aspiration (less painful than a wasp sting but rather alarming because of the length of the needle) and had several cysts drained.

Nothing until Nov 2010 when I felt some lumpiness that didn't change with periods, so took myself off to GP, who referred me to the clinic. Didn't worry as I expected it to be cysts again. And in fact it was. But while they were giving me a close look, they found what turned out to be a grade 3 tumour.

So I bless my cysts, as if I hadn't had cysty breasts I'd still have a cancer growing inside me. I've since had WLE and SNB, and have CLEAR NODES so I know it hasn't spread, but it could have been so different if it hadn't been for those benign lumps. (See? You can find positives anywhere, if you look closely enough. And I've found two! No node involvement and found early.)

[tors]

Just bumping up in case anyone else wants to add their story.

[Guest user]

I had blood clots in my lungs 4 years ago and the Medics thought I had cancer somewhere. Found a few lumps in right breast and had biopsies (lcis) which led to 6 monthly mammos and numerous biopsies. Found a lump behind the nipple in may 2010 when in the Maldives! but didn't get it checked out till August due to changing job and family illnesses. Had biopsies and ended up with wide excision of the nipple,not cancer but Low grade DCIS,Florid LCIS,with flat epithelial atypia. No further treatemnt just annual mammos and watchful waiting.That is till just before Xmas found another lump and had pain in other breast and ended up having 3 biopsies yesterday.The wait is awful -results next Friday. Only just got my head round having nipple removed and the disfigurement of that!

[Guest user]

...I didn't - pea-sized, it showed up on standard mammogram. I'd been recalled 8yrs ago but at that point I had fractured sternum (RTA) and couldn't lean over properly. When I was recalled last year I thought S... After intial Dx, had MRI which showed 3 more tiny little buggers, so no choice MX.

Looking back, I had been unusually tired for months and wonder if that was a symptom. B

[tors]

Tracey what a fab husband you have! Hope your treatment is going well.

Anyone with their story to add please feel
free!

Vickie

[Sam_BCC]

Post on behalf of new user Tracey

Hi vicky
I have suffered with cysts in my right breast for a number of years. I thought this time it was just another cyst never dreamed it would be cancer. I didn't want another needle to drain so I wasn't going to bother the Dr. My husband god bless him has always kept a eye on my lumps and said it felt different to the others. He was right it felt grissly around the edges and not round like the others. He was the one who insisted I went to see my Dr. If it wasn't for him I probably would have left it and not got it checked. My Dr refered me to glenfield breast care hospital and that's when i knew something was different. They did the usual ultra sound, but then they sent me for a mamogram which I'd never had then a second ultra sound and 2 biopsy's. 9 days later it was confirmed i had breast cancer.
So really I owe my husband my life.

[21210]

Hi all,

I too have suffered since my late teens with painful & lumpy boobs & have over the last 20 yrs made various trips to Gp's where I was prescribed EPO & also on one visit informed that it "couldnt be anything serious" as it would of made an appearance by now.

Roll on to Nov 2010, was in the shower & found a flat hardening above my right nipple which was definitely new, had recently moved area so made appointment with new Gp & explained about the constant lumpy, painful boobs but this felt different, luckily for me he dismissed the past & concentrated on the today & referred me to BCC.

When initially seen at Bcc the doctor felt that it was probably tissue hardening but referred me for Mammo anyway, at mammo I was informed that because of density & that my boobs were quite nodular I would need an ultrasound which i went back for a week later. At ultrasound i was informed that that what I had found was indeed tissue hardening but an area of concern had been found in my left breast which he then proceeded to Us & spend much more time than on right breast including going over my armpit, he then informed me that he would like to biopsy it. Before he performed the biopsy I did ask him to be honest & did he think it was "bad" to which he replied yes which kind of half prepared me for the official Dx 2 days later.

Now I look back on everything, strangely my LB has always given me more trouble than RB & 10 years ago when i had my last child i was unable to breast feed at all on it as nothing would come out, its also the breast that i got mastitas in & since child was born has always been so painful, not sure if any of this is linked or not but have been told that lump is so small that it would of taken me anything from 1 to 2 years to feel it myself by self examination, it has now been removed & results on Thursday so lets hope so. Sarah.xx

[SM422]

Hi there
Didn't carry out checks in a formal manner, but had a reminder on my phone monthly, and just felt around both boobs in the shower.

I was VERY fortunate, lump quite prominent, it had been a couple of months since I had checked and bam, there it was! Never knew about change in appearances etc - do now! Also didn't consider myself to be at risk, no family history, none of risk factors, but here I am!

SJ xx

[tors]

Any new forum members want to add their story?

[tors]

Mine hurt too, plus I found it when my youngest was 2 and a half so must havestarted developing post pregnancy too. Wouldn't swap
him though 🙂

[Guest user]

My archetypal hard pea-sized lump appeared under the scar of a previous lumpectomy for a benign lump which I'd had 10 years earlier when I was 32. Obviously not so benign!
My son was only a year old and it is obvious that pregnancy triggered/fuelled the cancer. My surgeon told me that women are at increased risk of a BC diagnosis for 3 years post partum.
Why isn't that common knowledge for all expectant mothers and midwives?
My lump was very painful - that is how I found it. It is incredible how many GPs still trot out that myth that if it hurts then it can't be cancer.

[Guest user]

My left breast felt sore while I was out running and then I feel quite a big lump - like a peach stone is a good description. I had exactly the same thing happen this time last year - was referred by my GP, had it checked out didn't do a needle biopsy - was nothing and felt rather foolish for making a fuss. Hence this time I really wasn't worried. I had my referral last Thursday and was told the lump was rather 'meaty' - lovely!!! - had a needle biopsy. He phoned me at 9.30 that night and said he had found 'lots of irregular cells and gave me a random score of 3 - 0 being benign, 5 v bad. Whatever that means. I have to have u/s and mammo on Fri and am seeing the consultant on Saturday. I am bricking myself and am struggling to sleep. It is the waiting....blah blah.
I keep telling myself that they will just leave it but am now slightly resigned to the fact that the least they will do it get the thing out.........I just need to know!

[Guest user]

No signs or symptoms. Normal mammograms. Cancer in both breasts on first routine MRI screening [BRCA1+]. Confirmed on ultrasound/biopsy.

[emmy]

Interesting thread, I found mine after a midge bite and was scratching myself on the tummy as you do I then became itchy on my right breast and that is when I found my lump. I was interested in the thought of how stress/bereavement could contribute as I had lost my mother a few days before xmas 2009 and never really checked with everything that went on. One of my chemo nurses told me her sister discovered hers 6 months after losing their father and our local chemist tells me both her mother then her sister were diagnosed with b/c after losing her father makes you wonder doesn't it?

[Guest user]

I'd been checking every 3-4 weeks since hearing about a friend (aged 29) who was diagnosed 6 months ago. It scared me so much to think somebody my age could be diagnosed, so I found an Embarrassing Bodies video that showed how to check and got on with it.

I found mine 4 weeks ago, having not checked for 6 weeks (I'd been preparing for my wedding, getting married and having a wonderful honeymoon), I was really shocked to find an obvious lump in my right breast. I don't know why I used my hands to wash instead of my sponge that day, but I'm so fortunate to have found it.
My GP was amazing. I went the same morning as I knew it wasn't right. She referred me fast-track to the hospital and within 2 weeks I'd had my ultrasound and core biopsy done.

I found out on Wednesday that there are grade 3 changes within the lump so I'll need a lumpectomy and chemo for sure. Still waiting to see if it's hormone receptor positive/negative.

I'm still undergoing tests inlcuding MRI, CT and bone scans to be sure it's only in the breast. Having felt under the weather for months though, I'm really worried that it's lurking in the background waiting to be found out. Only time will tell, and it will be what it is. Then we'll get rid of it.

One thing I will be doing is telling ALL of my friends - men & women, just check your boobs. You never know, and it seems most of us here found out by chance.

[Guest user]

Hi all, i found my lump last week.

I was getting undressed and felt a pea shaped lump, with a much bigger lump behind it. I have an appointment booked for next week (tues 14th), for the mammogram etc.

Im feeling a mixture of feelings at the moment, as i know it will all get sorted, no matter what it is. But its just the waiting and im starting to take it out on the people i love.

To top it all off, i have to go and have a colposcopy as my previous smears have come back with mild dyskaryosis. This is all within a few days of each other.

Im feeling very tired and and have pain in my breast too.

so i guess i will have to wait till the 14th to see what it is....

[Guest user]

Really interesting thread, not sure how I missed it!!
I found a lump in august this year, thought nothing of it, probably hormonal. 1 month later lump still there (felt like a peach stone!), thought maybe it would be an idea to see gp and stop me worrying! saw a locum as my gp was on hols (have been before with lumps and was told they were just fatty lumps - no referral), the locum referred me but told me it won't be anything your too young (36), and healthy. Had every test done at clinic (just thought they were being thorough), made light of it all, didn't tell anyone as felt a bit like I was wasting the NHS's time and brass. Went back to clinic a week later for results (wondered why they couldn't post them), and was told the lump I had found was normal, the mammogram was normal, but whilst doing the US, they found a smaller lump directly underneath the lump I had found, and this was cancer. To say I was shocked is an understatement, 36 no fam history, never really checked myself, just an occasional poke and prod when watching tv in bed!

[tors]

Bumping up for new stories xxx

[fighter34]

I found my lump while breastfeeding my 6 months old baby. I was 34 yo at the time (April 2010) and just had my second child, and like many of you there is no history of any cancer in my family.
I thought the lump might be milk and after massaging it for at least 2 weeks, I decided to ask my GP for advice. When I saw him, I also mentioned the fact that I felt constantly tired at the time, as if I was not recovering for the birth and I had cracked lips, which for me is a signed of being unwell. They immediately took some blood samples and referred me to see a breast specialist. Within days I had an ultrasound and a biopsy. The results came a week later and I was told I had BC…what a shock!!

What is interesting is that when I was 17 yo, I started taking the pill and at the time I was leaving in France. When you take the pill in France, you have to see a gynaecologist for your prescription and the gynaecologist also check you breast at each appointment. As soon as I started taking the pill, I had lumps appearing in my right breast. When my gynaecologist found the lumps, she referred me immediately to have an ultrasound and a mammogram…at 17yo!
It was not BC back then but as a result I have always checked my breasts, especially that right breast.
In 2005, I was about to turn 30yo and I found another lump in the same breast and also I has a sharp pain on the exact spot where my BC was found 5 years later. I had it checked with an ultrasound and the radiologist told me at the time that it was benign but that I should stop taking the pill and get on with having children…
That’s what I did upon her recommendation and I still got BC!

Now I am considering having my genes tested but I am pretty scared/worried about the potential results….

[Guest user]

I went for routine mamogram and was sent for a biopsy as they found DCIS. During the operation, they found IDC in the 'healthy' margins and am now waiting for the next operation. I haven't got a lump that I can feel either so I am really lucky that it was found as the only chamges I had were in the other breast and that is all clear (so far!).

[heth47]

Puckered skin made me suspicious during October BC awareness month last year.

[Peachez]

Found mine as I accidentally brushed my hand across the top of my 38E/F bra one morning late August. Had a prod and found a very hard (piece of carrot hard) lump surrounded by thickening. Think I knew then and there.
I had noticed the right boob being a bit larger but had put it down to putting on weight after a hysterectomy and ovary removal and following enforced menopause 18 months previously at the age of 50.

I had been lax in checking as I had been devastated by the death of my Mother in April, and all sorts of things had gone to pot. My old GP showed me how to check, turned out he didn't do a good job of instructing me - I have found out a little too late!

Have had 6cm tumour removed by WLE ealy Oct, no clear margins and 4of 4 nodes were infected. Waiting for Chemo to start to be followed by Mx and ANC + Rads etc.

Does a sudden shock have any bearing on this? I have since heard of several people discovering bc in the year following a bereavement...

[Guest user]

I woke up one morning, lying flat on my back (which isn't usual for me), looked down - and there it was! So obvious, and yet I'd not noticed it in the shower/getting dressed - and my husband hadn't spotted it/felt it either. I have lost two stone in weight in the last few months (intentionally!), and I wonder if that is why the lump suddenly appeared, and so prominently? I can't see it when standing up, but lie down and I feel like I have a third (tiny) boob.. hey ho. Another couple of weeks and I'll be down to one boob.. 😉

On checking - I only ever remind around the totm, when my breasts are very tender anyhow - and always feel lumpy at that point - so I'm a 0 on the effective checking scale. I'm 41, and actually finding it alarming just how many of us there are at around this age. Not so unusual for a younger woman to have bc, eh?

[Guest user]

I found the lump when I came out the shower and put my arm accross my breast. it was very prominant. Weeks leading up to finding it I had pain on and off in my breast but did not associate this with breast cancer. I agree with the comments regarding people not being aware that pain in your breast can be a symptom also. Had mastecomy and reconstruction and going thru chemo and herceptin and the moment.

[QI_fan]

I just decided to check myself one day in the shower.

It was weird because for days beforehand, everything I read, everything I watched, everywhere I looked, there was something to do with breast cancer. I kept thinking to myself, how awful that must be to find a lump and it began to prey on my mind, so I checked myself. Lo and behold...

Wonder if it was fluke, or body trying to tell me in some weird and mystic way! LOL!

Don't know what it is yet. Got mammo and ultrasound tomorrow.

[Guest user]

I had pain to begin with and then found lump. Everyone kept telling me pain was a good sign as bc is not painful but after reading a few other posts perhaps it's not that unusual a sign after all.

[tors]

bumping up for newer ladies