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Ann197
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Hi I have just joined, I lost my mum to breast cancer 17 years ago it was the hardest time, then my uncle to bowel cancer and my cousin to liver cancer.

Recently over the last 8 months or so I started not feeling myself as I suffer with anxiety and panic. I had a lot of reflux not being able to eat properly suffering with stomach and chest pains and weight loss but I put that down to the lack of not being able to eat. My doctor sent me for tests and blood tests, I had the camera and biopsy taken from my chest which all come back OK that was In September 2024. Over a week ago I noticed a large hard painful spot on my left side just below my left breast on my skin, I went to a local walk in centre and nurse said it looked like a cyst prescribed antibiotics it is still there still sore but not as large as it was. Last night I noticed my left breast was swollen tender to touch and is also red patch as I lift my breast I noticed a lump just under my nipple, I have spoke to nhs and waiting for a call back I am so worried about this.

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    HI Ann197,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your symptoms, old and new. It is good news that the staff at the Walk In Centre thought that your lesion was a cyst and prescribed antibiotics. It normally takes 4 days for antibiotics to start working, so there is still time for these to take effect. Did you get a call back from the NHS today? It is unusual, although not impossible, for pain to accompany breast cancer. Are you due or on your period at present? This is a time when our breasts tend to swell, but the swelling usually subsides when your period stops. 

    I should say that I am not a doctor, just someone who has had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and have also lost several other family members to the disease. There was 10 years between mum's death and my diagnosis and I was extremely worried too. In the event, there was just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and after care, which we both received. It is now 14 years since my last surgery and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. 

    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

    Hi thank you for your reply, sorry to hear of your loss and what you have been through. We did not know that our mum had breast cancer it's a long story but we noticed the weight loss her getting weaker each day, it was after she passed away we was told it was breast cancer and it spread it was heartbreaking we know and what we think it had gone too far was offered treatment but never took it. I have just turned 47 and had the mirena coil in for nearly 4 years due to really heavy painful bleeding that went on for months was rushed to hospital with it twice, so I rarely have periods but still get the monthly symptoms. It is just my left breast that is a bit swollen tender to touch and is also a red patch on my breast and I can feel a lump just under the nipple. I've not heard anything from nhs call back just yet so I will try get appointment with my doctor in the morning. Sorry I am just worried and thought I would join for a little advice thank you.

  • Offline in reply to Ann197

    Hi Ann,

    You are doing the right thing to pursue it, especially with your sad experience with your mother. We are always advised to have any change in our breast checked out. Only 20% of those who attend the breast clinic, get a cancer diagnosis. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, fibroadenoma or naturally lumpy breasts. 

    Here's hoping that your GP can set your mind to rest. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on,

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you so much I will keep in touch xx

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