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 :(

 Louisa.g I’m suffering similar symptoms, how did this turn out for you? Okay I hope xx

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 

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 

Dear Snugglecat,

I’m sorry you’ve had such a negative experience with both your GP and at the hospital. I’ve been lucky enough to have been treated with real empathy and kindness by everyone that I’ve encountered, and I know it makes such a difference.

I was like you- absolutely terrified about the results, but actually knowing (I now have a diagnosis) is better than the worrying about what might be. I have a lump that neither my GP nor I could feel, so mine was a shock to me, as yours is. 

I really hope you get some good news on Wednesday, but if the news is not so good, you will at least find out how what the treatment plan is, and you will be able to look foreword rather than constantly worrying about how bad it might be. Keep checking in here- you will get lots of support and we all have different experiences, but the chances are that someone will be in exactly the same position as you.

Good luck for Wednesday- try to keep yourself busy and distracted by something else in the meantime. Xx

Thank you for your kind words.

I received a diagnosis today....the worst.

I've been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, the rarest and worst type and fastest growing cancer. Apparently it can develop in days and weeks. My symptom (dull whole breast pain) started only a matter of weeks before I visited my GP. I didn't have any of the classic symptoms at that time.

I'm waiting for an urgent  CT scan to identify if it's spread to other parts of my body. The ultra sound scan last week showed it doesn't appear to have spread to my lymph nodes yet but I'm told this needs to be confirmed by the CT scan. 

It's impossible to develope a treatment plan at the moment but I was told if it hasn't spread it is likely to consist of chemotherapy with additional medication to help stop it spreading followed by a mastectomy then radiotherapy and all this will take approximately one year to complete. Reconstruction surgery may follow at a later date. 

I've been assigned a cancer nurse called Lucy who I met today and have an appointment with tomorrow morning to recap what the consultant said today and provide a further opportunity for me to ask questions. She seems nice. The consultant I spoke to today was lovely but I fear she wasn't telling me the full story.

I'm in a state of disbelief due to the rapid development of the disease and lack of initial symptoms except for pain. The only way I'm dealing with this just now is to pretend it isn't happening to me. My husband is devastated and so are the two friends who I've told. 

Other than the constant breast pain I feel fine just a bit tired but I also have Rhematoid Arthritis so the tiredness is likely due to that so I'm choosing not to tell my daughters still or anyone else until I know the prognosis and  treatment plan. No point in worrying anyone else and I don't want them treating me differently and fear they might if they know.

My younger daughter is busy planning for the arrival of my first grandchild and I found it hard to hold myself together when she talked about the things we'll be able to do together in the future earlier this evening.

Although I was expecting a cancer diagnosis I could never have imagined a few weeks ago how much my world was about to be turned upside down. Outwardly I'm presenting as positive and coping but inside I feel angry and potentially cheated out of a life that I thought I would have for many years to come.

Dear Snugglecat,

I’m so sorry that I’ve only just seen your post this evening.

What a terribly difficult time for you. I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis - it must be a huge shock. I’m sure you are still trying to make sense of it all, so I’m really glad that you have the support of your husband and friends. I completely understand about you not wanting to tell your daughters yet. Once you know the plan for your treatment you will be in a better position to talk to them. I was dreading telling my daughter and son about my treatment. It must feel doubly difficult for you, at a time when you are looking forward to the arrival of your first grandchild.

Have you got an appointment for your CT scan yet? Hopefully it will confirm what the ultrasound suggests, and they will be able to be more certain about the plan for you. Was it this morning that you were going to see the nurse? Mine is lovely and was so patient at answering all of my questions. They have the time for you that the doctors don’t really have, and seem to know everything- or will find out. I also think they have to be lovely people to do that job.

I think in your position it is a natural reaction to feel angry. Hopefully when you’ve had all of your scans etc and there is a treatment plan, you will feel a bit more able to see a future. 

Sending you love and strength xxx

Hi,

Thank for your kind reply. I'm so grateful someone such as you who has a better understanding of my situation is out there to listen to me and provide an encouraging response.

I went to see my nurse this morning accompanied by my husband. I thought it was going to be a waste of time but she was wonderful and kind and listened to my fears. She went over everything that was said the previous day at my consultant appointment but in greater detail explaining how treatments would or could be given if appropriate and their side effects and timescales. 

She informed me about the services local neighbourhood chaities provide to support with transport to and from appointments should I need it and provision of wigs and beauty treatments etcetera available free at my local hospital. 

I listened intently and asked lots of questions. There was so much to take in. We ended up talking for two hours or more. 

She put a positive vibe on the treatment providing a cure, this of course depends on the results of my CT scan, and we briefly discussed my thoughts about treatment if the results show the cancer has spread. I hardly dare contemplate that scenario.

We laughed together and I cried a lot. She was much more positive about my future than I dared to be. Due to me living close to the hospital and currently being on a career break she recommended I contact the CT Scanning Service to inform them I'm available to attend at very short notice should they get a cancellation to speed up the process and enable treatment to start sooner as able despite my referral being classed as urgent anyway. I left my appointment feeling far more knowledgeable and comforted than I arrived. More importantly it provided my husband with a clearer insight about what lies ahead and why we need to change or delay our plans.

When home I phoned the CT Unit who very disappointingly hadn't received my referral so I phoned my nurse who agreed to sort it out and told me to phone them tomorrow, which I intend doing. 

The unknown is torturous and the sooner I receive my results the sooner I can start telling people about my illness but I intend holding off until I really have to.

Today has been like being on a rollercoaster ride. One minute I've felt very positive, the next crying my eyes out and struggling to hide my sorrow from my husband. More baby talk with my daughter this evening hasn't helped.

I'm usually such a positive person who just gets on with life but all this is beyond my control and comprehension and the pain in my breast is excrutiating at times making me feel much worse despite me looking really well.

All my plans and aspirations are on hold and even if feasible to do, the treatment is going to be so long and drawn out. And not wanting to appear vain, I find the thought of losing my beautiful long shiny hair and eye lashes really daunting having never seen myself bald before but know it will be more than worth it if it saves my life. Luckily I'll still have eyebrows because they're tattooed on. 

I'm meeting the two friends I've told already for a meal tomorrow teatime and looking forward to that but I'm sure there'll be lots of tears from all of us. That will provide my husband with an opportunity to meet his friends and escape this awful situation we've found ourselves in without him feeling guilty about leaving me on my own which he does when he goes out to work. 

As soon as I get my scan results and have a treatment plan I'll provide an update and hopefully look forward to hearing from you again. 

Please accept my grateful regards for your support.xx

Hi Snugglecat,

I’m really pleased that your appointment with the nurse was useful, and that she was lovely and supportive. It makes such a difference as they have the time to be able to explain everything and answer your questions.

It was a surprised to hear how many different services are available to us, free. Definitely make use of what they have to offer- it might make quite a difference to the months ahead. 

I hope you’ve had some success in getting an appointment for your CT scan. You’re absolutely right about the waiting for results etc- it’s horrible, and your mind runs riot in the meantime, wondering what’s going to happen. A diagnosis can be really hard to take, but the unknown usually feels so much worse, 

Regarding your hair and potentially losing it as a result of chemo, it would be strange if you didn’t fear it. Our hair is such a big part of our appearance, so it’s very difficult to contemplate being without it. I’m currently in a very lucky position, as it appears that I won’t need chemo, however before I knew this, I started to do some internet research about wigs. I think you may be surprised at the variety and quality of those available- I’d already picked one out that looked very much like my own hair. I have friends who have lost their hair due to chemo, who just went with it, and wore other head coverings when they went out, but otherwise nothing. 

I hope you had a pleasant time with your friends this afternoon- it must have been a real mixture of emotions I would imagine. I’m sure they will be a big source of support for you, You will also be surprised at how supportive everyone else will also be once you tell them. I’ve had to tell a lot of people due to my work commitments, and I feel better for it. I didn’t like keeping to have to cancel work due to hospital appointments, but now people know why they are more understanding instead of thinking that I’m unreliable,

I hope you soon get more answers. Keep checking in xx

Hi Lara,

Am I right in thinking you paid private for your care?

If so do you mind answering a few questions about costs, care, etc.

This is something I'm considering since my diagnosis of the very rare and fast progressive inflammatory breast cancer last week and need for quick treatment.

Regards 

Snugglecat.