Welcome to Cancer Chat Cherry although I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Finding out you have cancer, especially when it seems to have come out of nowhere, is a lot to take in so be kind to yourself Cherry as you allow yourself the time and space you need to process your diagnosis.

As you can see on our website, cancer can make you feel a range of emotions, but I hope by joining our community you realise that you are not alone as so many of our members have been through this too and hopefully some of them will stop by soon to offer their support and advice.

I know you don't want to worry your family with all of this but keeping this to yourself may be doing more harm than good at the moment, so when you feel ready, do consider reaching out to them and letting them know what is going on so they can be there to support you when you need it most.

We have a team of very understanding cancer nurses you can talk to on 0808 800 4040 as well. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they will do all they can to support you and address any other questions or concerns you may have at this time.

In the meantime, our thoughts are with you Cherry and we're wishing you all the best with your further tests.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

HI Cherry,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and the fact that you need further tests for your left breast. This is precisely why we all have routine mammograms. Without them, our cancers would be diagnosed at a much later stage and be more difficult to treat.  The way you feel at present is perfectly normal. Most of us become over emotional and cry a lot. Don't worry about shedding those tears - it's a good way to relieve some of the stress that you're under. You have had a huge shock and it will take some time for it to sink in. In the meantime you may experience all sorts of emotions from, shock, anger, depression, denial, and fear -- the list goes on, but you get the picture? We can also have difficulty in sleeping or even in functioning day to day. You are doing well if today is the first day that you have cried and you have managed to keep your diagnosis to yourself. 

As our moderator Steph has said, it's not always a good thing to keep this to yourself. Now that you know that you have cancer, you need someone to talk to. It is so much better for you than bottling everything up. The fact that you are still waiting for further tests is frustrating, as this means that you are still dealing with the unknown. This is a hard place to be and you will feel better once you know what is happening with the other breast. Have you got a date for any further tests yet?

Staying positive is the best way to deal with a cancer diagnosis, although this is not always easy. However you have 2 positives in your favour already. 1) You have caught it early and 2) it is oestrogen fed, so will respond to hormone treatment. Do you know what type of breast cancer you have? 

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer 16 years ago and had a lumpectomy. Six months later, I discovered a large lump in my other breast, which was pre-cancerous. My consultant decided to monitor this. Almost a year after I had my surgery, I discovered a lump in my original breast, which was another cancer of the same type. I had a double mastectomy, followed by hormone treatment and I am lucky enough to still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I hope that you will do the same.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there. When I read your post I thought I was reading about me! I have also been diagnosed after a routine screening and thought there must be some mistake. I am in total shock. I have had biopsies and tomorrow I am having a contract enhanced spectral mammogram. I also do not want to worry family and really don’t know what to think myself. Everyone says waiting is the hardest part. Good luck. You are certainly not alone.

Hi Wiganfc,

Thank you for replying. 

 I had something similar, I had an MRI with contrast it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Yesterday I went for a ultra sound and they took a biopsy of something found on that,  My journey seems to get longer and longer as hoping for a surgery date originally for a lumpectomy now being told that could change because they have found further cancerous cells.

I understand that the doctors are unable to confirm anything until all the information is together but the waiting is so worrying.

I hope tomorrow goes well for you

Let us know