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I’m 24 and awaiting breast biopsy results

Sophia0987
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Hello, 

This will be the first time I have posted on a forum like this but after reading all of your brave stories, I thought it would do me some good to do the same. 

I am currently awaiting biopsy results on a suspicious lump I found in my left breast.

3 weeks ago, I felt a lump in my left breast which I assumed may be due to the fact I was on my period. However, since it didn't feel normal for me (I try to do monthly checks) I decided to book in with my Gp.

My GP examined my chest and then suggested i get referred to the breast clinic via urgent referrals service. I was initially quite alarmed by this, but she ensured me that she didn't think it was anything "serious" 

I had my appointment last Tuesday. After discussing my symptoms and having the consultant check me over, she assured me that it could be "hormonal". 
However, following the ultrasound, she told me that she wanted to conduct a biopsy, telling me it was "a hard lump, with uneven edges"

One week later and I'm awaiting the results. I had a phone call yesterday to tell me I have a follow up phone call appointment booked this Wednesday at 3pm with my consultant. My heart sank, "is this standard, to have a phonecall with my results?" She said yes. 

so now I'm going a little crazy with the "what ifs"

the reason I've posted on here is because I'm after some reassurance. If this is cancer, will I be ok? Will I survive and be able to live a full life and do all the things I wanted? 
 

im sorry for all the questions. I'm just seeking reassurance that breast cancer doesn't mean my life will stop altogether. 
 

Thank you for reading <3 

 

all my love, Sophia x 

  • Offline

    Hi Sophia,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    Waiting for results is always an anxious time and our overactive imaginations tend to go into overdrive. I am glad to hear that you are due to get your results tomorrow. Most consultants prefer to give results face to face, but some surgeons are so busy that this would delay the witing time even further, which is where the phone calls come in.

    You wanted to know what would happen if it turned out to be cancer. If this should happen you would be likely to have surgery and treatment, or sometimes this can be the other way around. There are a number of different types of breast cancer and some of these are more aggressive than others. There are also different stages of the disease. On the whole, the earlier it is caught, the more successful treatment tends to be.

    I can only tell you from my perspective. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her liver, lungs, brain and bone. Since then, I have had 2 bouts myself. These were a year apart. First time I had a lumpectomy followed by Tamoxifen tablets for 1 year. After the second bout, I had a double mastectomy, followed by Letrozole tablets for 6 and a half years. I stopped taking these in July 2017. 

    Most people would agree that the first year of surgery and treatment can take a lot out of you. However, I am still here 13 years later and living a busy and fulfilling life. I can't do all that I used to do, but I am now 73 years of age. Diagnosis, treatments and after care have all made tremendous advances in recent years. There was just no comparison between what my mum and I experienced.

    I sincerely hope that all goes well for you tomorrow.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Dear Jolamine,

    Thank you for taking the time to write this. I have read through everything about three times, as it fills me with much hope each time I read it. 

    I am sorry to hear about your mother, and your own battle with breast cancer. 

    13 years on, wow. That's amazing. I'm so glad to learn that you're living a busy and fulfilling life - both things which I wouldn't have thought possible. 

    I've spent a lot of the last couple of weeks googling about breast cancer (I know this is not recommended but I did it anyway) and have been making myself worry sick about the statistics and survival rates etc. 

    It is very easy to get sucked into all the fear when you are none the wiser... hence why I googled so much. However, after reading your response, it really does make a difference to how I feel now. I am lying in bed awake, worrying about the results ... yet, I'm also feeling thankful that there is a community I can connect with if I need any advise/guidance.
     

    Your words really have made me hopeful, not only your story about living life to the full after cancer, but also your acknowledgement of my message and reaching out. 
     

    Thank you so much :happy:

    i will keep you updated <3 

    best wishes, Sophia xx 

  • Offline in reply to Sophia0987

    Hi Sophia,

    I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping for good news.

    Kind regards.

    Jolamine x

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