Hi Louisa.g

Welcome to the forum and well done for making the right steps and booking to see your GP to get these cheanges checked out. Have you had the appointment yet? 

It's natural to feel worried but try to remember that the vast majority of people who go to see their Dr about breast changes don't end up being diagnosed with cancer. If your Dr does refer you to the breast clinic try not to be overly concerned.

Keep in touch Louisa and let us know how you get on at your appointment. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

My gp appointment is tomorrow morning. I am very nervous but feel like I just want to get it over and done with.

I have found what I think is a lump now also, I wasn’t expecting it to be so big so didn’t notice it at first and It’s very sore when I touch it. It is positioned behind the larger dimple.

Today i I have been touching up some painting in my living room and I knelt on my boob in a crouching position accidentally and I had like a really sharp stinging pain that lasted a while afterwards. I’ve been googling like mad trying to find stories that are more reassuring and positive but google only seems to promote negative things.

I am worried sick but just trying to not think about it at this stage as I don’t know what it is yet. Thank you for your reply. It’s nice to speak to someone about worries even if it’s just to express your fears it feels a bit better being able to do that

Louisa xx

Hello,

just seen your post and wanted to wish you good luck for tomorrow. Don't be googling, you will only read the worse case scenarios, google had me dead and buried ! Lol....

Your gp may refer you to the breast clinic, our imaginations can run wild, try and relax and let us know how you get on? X

Thanks Marlyn. I will keep you updated after my initial appointment tomorrow xx

Just an update, I have had my gp appointment, the lump has been confirmed and I’m on a 2 week referral for further tests at the breast clinic. Awaiting my appointment.

pains in my breast are still bad and I’m having trouble sleeping as I can’t get comfortable laying down. My left breast hurts now also but not as much as the right one where the lump has been found.

Just a waiting game now :(

I was stage 2a grade 2 triple positive invasive breast cancer, no lymph nodes problems but after scans my cancer was 8cm of calcification with 3 tumours, the biggest being 2.2cm and multi focal, I did 6 rounds of chemo, 1 year of targeted treatment and hormone suppression tablets (tamoxifen). I chose single mastectomy, no reconstruction, which I was unsure of at first but it was actually the best decision for me and I’m really glad I chose it. 

I didn’t get a response to chemo, just a stable one with the first 2 then a partial one with the final 4. 

at surgery it was all removed and I had clear margins and was declared NED (no evidence of disease)

I then did a whack of radiation just in case 

It took a while to feel completely myself, as I had lingering tiredness and aches for a around 6 months afterwards, but I am around 3 and half years ned now, perfectly fit and healthy.

it’s a scary thing to go through but it’s fully recoverable from.

wishing you luck and good health 

Hi, 

Thank you so much for posting your positive story.

I attended my breast clinic appointment last Friday and I'm so worried about the results of my biopsies due this Wednesday (4/10/23).

I began experiencing severe pain in my right breast approximately 6 weeks ago. I had no visible changes to my breast and felt no lump. The pain became excrutiating despite taking pain relief and I felt as though my breast was going to explode.

I visited my GP about the pain. His surgery was running late and he rushed my appointment. He told me not to worry because you don't get pain with breast cancer and to contact my local breast screening service to arrange a mammogram as a precaution, which I did. He didn't examine me and was very dismissive about my concerns.

The breast screening service told me they only do routine mammograms and advised me to tell my GP I needed an urgent appointment at the hospital breast clinic They said he was a very brave and uneducated man telling me you don't get pain with breast cancer.

My GP reluctantly referred me to the breast clinic for a 2 week appointment. I nearly went mad with worry waiting for the appointment day to arrive and kept it to myself until the evening before when I broke down and told my husband and 2 very close friends. I didn't see the point in worrying anybody until I knew the outcome. 

I told my husband I preferred my friend go with me because he becomes too emotional and I felt I couldn't deal with him as well my own fears and emotions. He was upset but understood.

After being examined by a consultant at the clinic he said he thought he could feel a mass behind my nipple and I needed a mammogram, ultra sound scan and biopsies to assist him make a diagnosis.

The hospital staff were very straight faced. I would have appreciated a kind smile to put me a bit more at ease. 

The consultant who performed the ultra sound scan and biopsies told me she'd identified 3 lumps behind my nipple.

I felt distraught. I wondered how could I have 3 lumps and have no outwardly signs or been able to feel them. 

When I went back in to see the breast consultant he didn't even lift his head to make eye contact with me when he spoke and said he needed to see me again when the biopsy results were available and gestured with his hand it could go either way. I asked how this could happen with no visible signs and me unable to feel the lumps. He told me they'd likely been there a while slowly growing, not to worry and they'd take care of me,  whatever that means.

I left the hospital feeling distraught and thinking the worst. I'm dreading my results on Wednesday. 

I'm a very young active 63 year old with so much more living to do. I took a career break for the summer from a professional job with the intention of returning soon but that doesn't look likely at the momment.

My daughter is expecting my first grandchild next February and I'm so afraid I'm not going to be around to see it grow up. 

I haven't told her or my other daughter and friends/family. There's no point until I know what I'm dealing with. 

My husband is optimistic but hasn't talked about it and deep down I know he's very worried as am I. 

I feel so sad and just want to cry all the time.

Snuggle 

sorry to hear your worry I had breast cancer in July 22 , I did have pain to be honest not all the time but my tiny dog pressed on me and that’s what sent me to the breast clinic , it’s strange they say if it’s cancer it’s no pain but I had pain xx

good luck for these results lovely take care love Lara xx 

I understand how scary this time is for you and it’s a lot to take in. I was absolutely terrified, lone parent to 3 young children, all the fear, thoughts and emotions can overwhelm you. I was 34 at diagnosis.

I think it’s best to try focus on the positives, breast cancer has a high survival rate, my oncologist always explained that although my cancer was very large, the breasts are external to the body and can easily be removed, also like me you have 3 tumours, but these seem to be round your nipple so not underarm and although the cancer seems large if none has broken away or entered your lymph nodes it’s a really good positive sign as it indicates catching it early.

they will be able to tell you more when your pathology results come back as to which type and this impacts which treatments you do.

just try take it all one step at a time, I am proof that you can get through this and get back to a normal happy healthy life.

also I had pain in my breast and arm, which got worse after the biopsy and stayed until surgery. Pain is definitely a recognised symptom and your doctor was wrong to dismiss it. I’m glad they discovered it for you in the clinic.

wishing you the best of luck and health through your journey