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Newbie - Recently found a lump - a bit concerned
Hi all. I'm sorry to post what is prob a really stupid question but here goes. I'm 35 and this weekend I found quite a reasonable sized lump. I have thought I noticed something a while ago but dismissed it as just down to hormones or just me but this lump feels in around the same place but bigger. It's not really painful ( unless my cats jumps up on me and plants his paw smack on top of it) although it is a bit sore since I've been poking about at it. I know I should go and get it checked but should I wait until after my next period to see if it goes? I don't want to waste the drs time and I know it's prob nothing but I am a bit worried I guess. I don't really know why I'm asking on here other than I don't feel I can talk to anyone else. Sorry for rambling - any advice gratefully received.
hi little boo, dont wait another month! u will only worry for another month! (i certainly did) just remember 9 out of 10 breast lumps are harmless and u are definately not wasting gp,s time. ring docs today and the best of luck to you.let us know how u get on. love alex xxx
i can only second wot alex has said dont wait your not wasting doc time it may be just a cyst but you need to get it looked at to be sure never leave something like this always get them check out even if it ment going back every month i have a friend who suffers with cyst she had 19 the last time i saw and if she feels 1 new one she goes back why worrie yourself get it check out
all the best maz xx
Hi, Definately go to the Doctor, as soon as possible. Hopefully you will be told everything is ok but, if not, any problem can be dealt with quickly which is always for the best. Either way, you need to know what is going on otherwise you will drive yourself mad with worry.
Do not forget, everyone on this site is here to support you if you need it.
Best wishes, Lynn x
Yup! Get to the doc's immediately! That way, if it's nothing (which it probably isn't!) you can then breathe a sigh of relief and stop the worrying! And if it is something, you'll catch it earlier and have a better chance of it not being too dangerous.
I know it's scary - I went through quite a few scares (but now have breast cancer and am 33).
Hope it all goes well.
x
Hi everyone. Many thanks for your advice. I rang the docs this morning and have miraculously managed to get an appt for this evening (normally have to wait at least a couple of weeks)!! I'll let you know how I get on. Thank you.
Have been to the drs and she is referring me to the breast clinic. She is sure that it's nothing to be concerned about but just wants to be 100% sure. She says that I should have an appt within the next two weeks. I haven't told my hubby yet as his mum is a bc survivor and I don't want him to stress unnecessarily. I guess I'll just wait and see. Thanks for listening. X
Well done! I'm sure you'll be fine. Fingers crossed! x
Hi LittleBoo - good luck for your appointment, I echo what everyone has said, best to get it checked out, no use in worrying and waiting, u need to get it checked, it really may be nothing but its not wasting anyone time by getting it checked. Glad u found this website and I wish u lots of luck, it was the same for me, referred within 2 weeks and if it is anything u can get on with things as soon as poss but it could just be a benign cyst also but please never think you are bothering anyone cos u def are not,its all part of the great health service that we have, I have found for me, the nhs to be abs fabulous in their treatment and care and nothing is too much trouble. Let us know how it goes... lots of love and positive thoughts.Shar xx
Hi Everyone. My appointment is booke for next Tues. Could anyone tell me what usually happens at the appt? Will I have an ultrasound on the same day or do they just prod and poke about? All help gratefully received. Thanks x
Hi
At my first appt - yes they had a prod around but then I went straight for a mammogram and the onto Ultrasound. In my case the news wasn't good but as the others have said the majority of cases are cysts or bits of fatty tissue.
Whilst everyone on this site will be praying you get good news, could I ask are you taking someone with you to the appt - I'm glad my hubby was with me as I certainly had't expected them to give me my news on the first appt but they did.
Please keep in touch on the forum - we like Good news!!!!!
Linda
I think the facilities at clinics vary. At mine you saw a doctor for the initial prod, he gave you some idea of what he could feel and what it might be. you then went for a mamogram and an ultrasound, and from listening to others at the clinic, he sometimes could tell you straight away if it was benign, cancerous or needed testing. For me the radiologist then did two core biobsies and a needle biopsy to see what the lump was, then back to the doctor that explained that at this stage it was a lump that needed to come out, but they needed results of biobsy to see whether it was cancerous or not, I think some clinics can even get the biopsy analysed on the same day but I had to go back a week later.
think hard about taking someone with you. I heard lots of people saying they had been given the all clear on the day, but if you are not given the all clear then it might be a bit of a shock and most people want someone there for support and to be an extra pair of ears.
take a book, knitting puzzle etc, you will almost definately have to wait, they have no idea how long each appointment will take and they nearly always over book. If you drive there try and find a parking place where you can leave it for about 4 hours.
Good luck, the fast majority of these lumps are nothing, but it is still rotten waiting to find out
Well done Little Boo for getting it looked at. The sooner it's seen, the sooner you can get reassurance, which is what we all hope for you.
Take a look at the Publications section of the site, they have a leaflet on there that describes what usually happens at the clinics, and it's straightforward and honest. As someone else said, clinics can vary in the order and timing they do things, but the general idea is the same.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION. If you are wondering about something, ask.
Get a notebook so you can write down any questions as you think of them. And take it to your clinic appointment so you remember to ask them all.
Bring someone with you to the appointment if you feel you need to, but some people prefer to do it on their own (I did, but I preferred it that way. Others had partners, friends, daughters, to hold their hand.)
DON'T GOOGLE indiscriminately, you'll end up scaring the life out of yourself. Stick to reputable sites if you really have to, but at this stage you don't actually have a lot to google about. Do check out the leaflet I mentioned. I'm sure a mod will be along shortly with a Hello and a link.
Use the forums as much as you feel you need to, you will get lots of friendly support on here.
There are lots of other tips, but I'm just back from poisons and my head's not working very well at the mo, so others please feel free to add any tips for Little Boo.
CM
x
Thanks again everyone for all your advice. I've just read the booklet on here about the referral clinic and it was really good. I was undecided about taking hubby with me (I told him yesterday evening) but I think I prob will. Fingers x'd for next Tues. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again, Chelle x
Did I mention, the Helpline is really good so you might find it helpful to speak to them tomorrow.
Hi all. Well I've been for my appt and the good news is that the assistant consultant thinks the lump is a fibroadenoma. What's annoying is I have to wait up to 6 weeks for an ultrasound and core biopsy to confirm!! I'd got in my head that they'd do that today but now I have to wait for total piece of mind. I'm sorry to moan. X
waiting is horrid!! But take solace from the fact if they had any doubts at all they would have been doing the tests straight away, six weeks is a long time for anything they have any suspicions about.
sorry you have not got the final answer yet, its not nice still being in the air, but it does sound very hopeful.
Hi Little Boo your not moaning & even when you need to its all welcome & helps so much to talk to others here. I'll be keeping you in my prayers & fingers crossed that its just fibro.
I know its easier said than done try not to worry too much keep in mind what the other ladies have said 9 out of 10 breast lumps are benign. If you getting worried or just want to talk there is always some one here to listen & the helpline is wonderful too.
All the best
Mekala X
I had a fibrodeanoma many years ago and had a lumpectomy as they'd left it so long it was the size of an orange by the time it was removed! (I'm sure it wouldn't take so long nowadays). I got my results within a couple of weeks and all was fine - Boo, I really sympathise with you having to wait so long.
I've just discovered a new lump (in the same breast) over 20 years later which has shaken me a bit. I went straight to GP this am and he's now referred me as an urgent patient to the Breast Care clinic as the lump is hard and fixed. I wasn't too concerned until I saw the diagram of the lump and he'd added further marks around my breastbone and under one armpit - does anyone know what this would indicate? Is it something to do with the lymph nodes? Deep down I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, but it's still very scary. This time I have two young children to think about... My appointment's this coming Tuesday - a bit speedier than last time!!! Judging by most of the comments on here the care is wonderful. So fingers crossed for Friday. I'm taking your advice oldandlumpy - I'm taking my hubby with me 'cos I don't hear half of what's said!
Hi ladies. I'm sorry to be a pain again but I'm still waiting for my appt for the us and cb. I have definitely now got a 2nd lump underneath and to the side of the first lump. It feels deeper in the breast and I think it's grown from when I first noticed it. Do you think they will check this one at the same time as the original lump if i mention it to them or will I need a separate appt? I hope I get my appt soon - I can't be doing with the waiting. Thanks, LB.
this is unacceptable, I do not know what the guidlines are but i am sure not having your appointment yet is breaking them.
first thing tomorrow morning ring the helpline up to find out what the normal deadlines are. They will suggest who you should best ring to find out when your appointment is.
mistakes happen, it could be that you got missed off a list and nothing is booked for you. So it is worth chasing.
I cannot believe how you must be feeling left in limbo like this.
Hi Little Boo, I totally agree with O and L, get on the phone and make a fuss, dont be scared to put your food down if you have to!!
Regarding you lump, dont worry they will check both breasts not just the lump you have be referred for.
x
Hi Little Boo, I totally agree with O and L, get on the phone and make a fuss, dont be scared to put your food down if you have to!!
Regarding you lump, dont worry they will check both breasts not just the lump you have be referred for.
x
Hi Ladies. Thanks for the advice. I know after I had my initial appt with the consultant he referred me for the us and cb. When I asked at the imaging dept they said my appt could take 6 weeks to come through (I think because they're not worried about the original lump) and I suppose it's only been 3 weeks since then. I'll ring the helpline and see what they say. Maybe if I ring and speak to the hosp and tell them about my 2nd lump they might see me sooner? Thanks again and sorry to be a pain LB xx
Good luck, and STOP APOLOGISING! You arent being a pain.
xxx
Hi little boo- trust your body -if you think it needs looking at then give them a call,you are not being a pain at all -just understanably worried -good luck and let us all know how you get on -(((((hugs))))) -Marie xx
Well I called the hops today to chase up my appt for us and cb. It seems I hadn't got one yet and when I explained that I was expecting one for us and cb I was told that it's not protocol to have the cb done on the same day as the us - I would have to come back another day. Well I got a bit upset coz I'd got it in my head they would be done together and I explained I'd found this second lump. I think either the lady took pity on me or thought I was crazy so she rang me back about 30 mins later and I now have an appt next Thurs. Still not sure if I will be having both done but I think so. LB x
well done for sticking up for yourself. at least your appointment is quicker now. some clinics have the facility to do all the scans and biopsies and results on the same day, some can only do one test at a time so its not them being awkward, its what they are set up to do.
so if when you go in they do not do the next test, try and insist on an appointment for the next stage. If they waver say something like" when will i have got my appointment letter and if it has not come by then who should i ring?"
chase, chase, chase. i have just had an op, was told i would get an appointment two weeks later to tell me the result. No letter, so i rang up, only to discover someone had made a mistake and i was not on the list of people needing appointments.
its not their fault, they are short of staff and under stress, so if things are not happening on the schedule you were told to expect pick up the phone and ask why
HI Littleboo
So sorry but it sounds as you've been really messed about and hope you get your confirmed good news very soon.
I found a lump at Christmas time. I saw my doctor on the Wednesday morning. He said that I should have an appointment within 2 weeks. I received a phone call that night offering me an appointment the following Wednesday at the breast clinic. The first thing they did was a mammogram, followed by an ultra-sound scan. This did not prove anything conclusively so 2 biopsies were taken the same day. The entire appointment lasted an hour. I was told that the results would be in by the next week and an appointment was made for me there and then.
Of course I was shocked to find out at that appointment that my lump was indeed cancerous but the Consultant Surgeon was there to explain everything to me and he made the appointment for my op at the same time. So from finding the lump on the 27th December I was operated on by the 21st January and I've just finished the chemo.
I cannot stress enough the wonderful and swift treatment I have had and I give high praise to the Consultant Surgeon and the Consultant Oncologist and their staff. In both cases I was given the direct lines to the Consultants and never had to wait for appointments to be made for me as they did this direct with me.
I sincerely hope you are seen very quickly as the stress of the waiting can be so awful.
Good luck and lets hope it's just a little scare....xx
Hi all. Good news is that the us scan showed 2 cysts which the nurse drained - never felt a thing. They are sending the fluid off but she said that I should receive a letter from the consultant. I'm just so relieved that it's all done and dusted. I will definitely be more breast aware now and the nurse said to get any new lumps checked out and not to assume that they will be cysts. Thanks for all your support LB xx
Hurrah! Well done you for sticking up for yourself and having the sense to get this sorted. Take care and here's to a disease free future for you.