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Referred for a 2nd time on the two week pathway in 4.5 mths

Amya
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Hi

I am going out of my mind with worry as I was first referred back in early November last year after having a left breast indentation but had no lump at the time upon examination. The breast consultant also confirmed this but performed a mammogram and an ultrasound on me and I was 40 at the time. I was given the all clear but only a few cystic changes were noted on my ultrasound and to go home and be breast aware. Fast forward on to this year and 3 weeks ago I felt a small hard pea lump on my left upper outer breast near my areola and where my breast is still a little dented so I again went back to my GP to be examined and they too could also feel the lump and have referred me back on the 2 week cancer pathway again. How can I be told just 4.5 months ago after both scans that I'm clear and just have cysts to now be in the position I am in with a small pea lump now present in my left breast.? Does this mean that the scans have missed anything sinister the first time round.? Does it mean that a cancerous lump can grow just in 4 months from no where.? I don't know why this is happening to me again. I can't eat or sleep with constant worry that now I'm going to be told I have cancer when I thought this was all behind me from my scans that were suppose to be all clear back in November 2021. I just feel so down and so alone and the wait again is just torture. Amy

  • Hello Amy and thanks for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and the worry that it is causing you.

    The doctors can only work on the results that they see and when you were seen in November you had both a mammogram and ultrasound which are the gold standard tests for ruling out breast cancer. 

    The pea size lump may not have been visible when you were seen in November.  Do ask the doctors when you see them as they will have your images from when you were seen in November.

    Unfortunately until they do the different scans and a further breast examination and possibly a breast biopsy they will not be able to tell you any more.

    There are many other benign breast conditions other then cancer so try if you can not to think the worst.

    I do hope that you are given an appointment soon. Do remember to try and ask all these questions to the doctors when you see them.

    Keep yourself busy and your mind on other things to try and distract yourself until you are seen.

    If you would like to chat through any of this with one of the helpline nurses then you are more then welcome to give us a ring. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040.

    All the Best,

    Catherine

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thank you for your reply Catherine it means a lot to me right now. My Mammogram last November they told me was all clear but on my ultrasound it noted a 5mm cyst and then other incedental cystic changes in the upper left outer area of my breast where it looks a little indented at the side. My worry is that could the mammogram have caused this pea lump to form when my small breasts were so tightly compressed as I'm not sure how a lump can then form 4 months after and then be visible for me to feel when I couldn't feel the cysts they picked up on my scans before. I'm now worried the mammogram could have given me cancer or something from the radiation because I was only 40 at the time.Can cysts often be felt on the surface of the breast if they move forward atall.? I just don't know how I am going to go through it all again as surely I won't be having to have another mammogram so soon after my last one. I'm finding this so hard to handle Catherine that I just don't know what to believe or think anymore.

  • Offline in reply to Amya

    I went to the breast clinic last year in February and August then again in February this year they said that the scans are only snapshots of the day they are taken, that l should go back if l have changes. I have an open appointment. The mammogram tends to be once a year rather than each visit, ultrasounds seem to done as and when required. I have found the breast nurses to be really helpful, my next appointment is due to see the surgeon in may.
    I don't have cancer fortunately just breast cysts, duct ectasia a milk duct problem, and pain. l hope you have a similar outcome and everything is ok.

    take care 

    Susie 

  • Offline in reply to Alfieisastar

    Hi Susie

    Thank you for your comment. As you have cystic breasts do you go back when you can feel lumps appear then.? I couldn't feel any lumps last November when I was referred just for a slight breast indentation at the time and the Consultant also could t feel any lumps. If it wasn't for the ultrasound I wouldn't know I have a cyst that was 5mm or other cystic changes. I just didn't know if cysts can be felt from the surface of the breast as when my GP examined me this morning she was unsure if it was a cyst as felt part palpable and part hard but the size of a small marble. It must cause so much anxiety and stress for women who have to go back multiple times as it's always the unknown that plays havoc on your mind all the time. Xx

  • in reply to Amya

    Hello Amya and thank you for getting back to us.

    I am afraid to say that lumps and bumps can appear after mammograms have been done. This cannot be helped, lumps need to be a certain size before they are able to be seen.  So it is possible it was there but not picked up. However no one here can tell you if this has happened.  The fact is that most lumps in the breast are not cancer, but may need to be checked out. Cysts can grow quickly and breast cancers do not tend to grow quickly.

    I am afraid you will need to wait for your breast clinic appointment to really understand what is the matter. It's not possible to try and figure this out before then. When you are at the clinic your breasts will be examined and you might need to have another mammogram, an ultrasound scan and possible a biopsy. This is likely to be done on the same day. Please do not worry about having another mammogram close to each other because you are still only being exposed to a small amount of radiation. You might find further information about this appointment useful to read, you can see it on the Breast Cancer Now ( a UK charity) website here 

    I hope you don't mind me saying but you have to try and not focus on this too much, remember you are being referred and you will find out what this is soon. I am afraid that no one here can tell you what is the matter and searching online cannot either. So try to be busy with other things and get support from people here on Cancer Chat and people that love you.  

    You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

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