Hi Angey,

Welcome to our forum.

I am not awfully au fait with cysts because I have never had one on my breast. I do have on on one of my ovaries, but I was advised just to leave that to its' own devices when it was discovered 14 years ago. It has never bothered me from that day to this.

However, just from reading the posts on here I note that some cysts are left alone or monitored, whilst some of the larger ones are removed. Your GP's reaction seems pretty par for the course, but  your appointment at the One Stop Breast Clinic should be useful in putting your mind to rest a little sooner.

I have had 2 bouts of primary breast cancer in the past 10 years and, can assure you that the emotions you describe are all perfectly normal. We are all terrified at this stage. Recovery would depend upon your age and general health. Your consultant should be the best person to be able to answer this question.

Can you bring someone with you to your appointment? This is always a good idea. It is also helpful to draw up a list of questions before you visit the clinic. Try your best to avoid the internet. It is indeed a scary place.

I sincerely hope that it is only a small cyst and, that nothing more needs to be done. Please let us know how you get on. we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. Knowing someone is there listening to me is very comforting. For context, I'm 29 and generally in pretty good health and regularly exercise. This is the first time there has ever been anything which could be deemed serious in terms of medical issues for me. 

I've asked my mum to attend the appointment with me so I won't be there by myself. I will write down some of my questions so as not to forget them It's all quite scary and I don't know anyone personally who has been through this so felt a little lost. 
 

Thank you for sharing your past journey with me, I'll be sure to let you know what happens after Wednesday. 
 

Thank you

Hi Angey,

I am glad to hear that your mum is going to your apointment with you.

When you arrive at the clinic on Wednesday, the consultant will ask about your symptoms and then examine your breasts. Sometimes they can tell straight away that there is nothing untoward, but at other times they have to rely on tests to confirm or disprove cancer. You are young, so unlikely to have a mammogram, as they don't work so well on a younger breast. The tests most likely to be carried out are an ultrasound and a biopsy. You usually have to wait 1-2 weeks to get the results of these.

Not all cancers show up well with an ultrasound. If this is the case, then further tests would be needed. A CT or MRI scan are often next on the list.

This is certainly a scary journe to be on, but you will come out of it a stronger person in the end. I sincerely hope that your GP is right and that you just have a small cyst.

Keep in touch.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I had my appointment this morning. Following an ultrasound they wanted to complete a biopsy as they couldn't be sure what the lump is. The biopsy itself was ok, not as bad as I'd imagined but they managed to hit a blood vessel in the process and so I bled an awful lot. 

The nurse and doctor were amazing and were very reassuring and caring. I am now feeling rather bruised and battered though. I've been told to keep a supportive bra on for the time being and not to exert myself in the coming days so am resting up at home. 

My results should be in the week after next and the nurse will contact me about my next appointment to discuss the results. I'm feeling ok, I'm not sure everything that happened this morning has sunk in though. I know I'm still in limbo until my results come back but I'm just focused on resting and recovering from the biopsy for the time being. I'll keep you posted on my results. 

Thanks

Hi Angey,

I know it has been a while since your post, but I'm hoping you might be able to shed some light on your experience.

I went to the doctors today as I have been getting breast tenderness and found some inflammation. The doctor confirmed that I have several small pea sized lumps and they think they are cysts. They have referred me to the breast clinic with a 2 week wait time to get it further examined. I've been so upset and worried today, thinking it could be something worse. I'm only 26 and I just keep telling myself that it's probably just a cyst as I am also healthy and I have no family medical history of any illnesses.

what was your experience like at the clinic? Was the biopsy painful? I don't think I will be allowed anyone with me so I am really nervous! Lasty, did they diagnose yours as a cyst?

Many Thanks, Brittany 

Hi Brittany,

I had a very good experience at the breast clinic, despite bleeding during the first biopsy I had. It took me about 8 weeks for the bruising and swelling to disappear but I think that was extreme due to hitting a blood vessel. 
 

My results didn't show anything cancerous but my consultant wanted me to have a further vacuum assisted biopsy which, although more intrusive, took me a lot less time to recover from and I was back out running within a couple of weeks. The results from that showed that it was a radial scar which is not cancerous and would have been left where it was but after a few months I was getting further pain so I under went a small operation to have it removed. 
 

I've was so worried about scaring, even from the biopsies but unless you know it's there, no one would be able to find the incitions. The operation has left me with a small scar on my breast but my consultant was excellent and did a very good job of keeping it minimal. 

Try and stay positive and ask lots of questions to your consultant. Have you got anyone you can talk to about this? Is anyone going to go with you to your appointment? Some clinics will allow you to have someone come with you if you prearrange it so it's worth calling the clinic to find out. 
 

Wishing you all the best, stay positive and let me know how you get on at your appointment.

Angey

Hi Angey,

I have only just seen your repy to me, written in February 2020. My sincere apologies for not replying. I am delighted to hear that nothing sinister was found. I see that you have since had a small op to remove your scar and I hope that your pain has settled since this was removed.

It's great to catch up and to hear your good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx