Hi Zgg,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

You have done the right thing by getting this lump investigated. Most of us would agree that waiting for a result is one of the most stressful parts of our cancer journey. This is partly because there are so many unknowns and, when we give rein to our over active imaginations, they lead us to all sorts of dark places. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts or Fibroadenoma. It is a fact that only 20% of those attending the breast clinic get a cancer diagnosis. The fact that your GP feels that your lump is moveable is usually a good sign. Cancerous lumps tend to have jagged edges and feel fixed.

We are usually advised to leave 3-4 hours for an initial appointment. This is to allow time for any tests you may need, as this may necessitate moving to different departments. However it seldom takes this long. The common tests carried out are an examination of your breasts by the consultant, who will also ask you questions about when you first noticed this, how it feels, etc. You may then be sent for an ultrasound. Most women over 40 are also given a mammogram and some are then given a biopsy. If a biopsy is taken, it can take about 2 weeks for the results to come back. This determines whether or not there is any cancer present. The reason that people under 40 don't usually have a mammogram is that their breasts are usually denser and the images don't show up well.

We all get a mental shake up when we are advised that we need to visit the breast clinic and many of us become very tearful. We also tend to worry about our families at this stage. Breast cancer is one of the more treatable forms of cancer. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer which had spread to her brain, bone, liver and lungs. That was several years ago when treatment was brutal. Fortunately, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare have all advanced considerably since then. I have had 2 bouts of cancer and 1 of pre-cancer, all within a year of each other. There was just no comparison between the experience that we both had! It is now 16 years since my last surgery and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

I shall be thinking of you on 7th May and I hope that nothing untoward is found. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx