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Had a lump examined, and chose to go to the breast clinic.

Missjwh
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Hi everyone!

I found this forum today and found it very useful. I just wondered if anyone had any similar experiences to me as i am still a little anxious after my examination today. 

I am 25 years old, got quite a small set off breasts and no history of breast cancer in my family. However fatty cysts seem to be quite common in the women on my mums side (non of which have been cancerous). So about 4 months ago I thought I felt a lump, but i wasnt sure and just shook it off. On Sunday evening i was checking my breasts and realised the lump I thought I had felt previously was more prominent. For a number of years I have also had a small amount of white dishcarge in my nipples (usually around menstrol time and is often on and off). The best way i can describe it is it looks like milk. However i am on the pill and have regular checks to see if I am pregnant and I am not.

 

Anyway I booked an appointment and got examined by the doctor. She noticed my right breast was quite dense and noticed the lump I had felt. However she told me she believed I had PMS and overactive glands in my breast (resulting in the odd bit of white discharge i find from time to time). She said it is potentially a blocked duct that has resulted in the lump. The thing that has stummped me is that she didnt straight away refer me to a breast clinic, she gave me the option of close monitoirong or going to the clinic. I chose the clinic just for piece of mind because i had read some scary sh** and had got in my head a bit. She told me because of my age and lack of BC in the family that it could take a few months. But i am still worried because even though they say its unlikley its not a definiet no and thats what is scaring me. 

So my question is has anyone had any similar experiences to mine that they would be happy to share?  And if so, how long does a non-urgent appointment usually take to come through? I am worried I am going to get all anxious waiting and I just need a bit of advice on how to handle the uncertainty. I am really trying to think positvley, but ive just got a niggling ache in my chest which is causing me to get anxious. Any advice or help would be hugley appreciated. 

 

Jess xxx

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    Hello Jess and a warm welcome to our forum, 

    It's good that they are being thorough and have referred you to the breast clinic and you did the right thing I think to choose to be examined there rather than just watch and wait. 

    I hope that you will hear from some of our members who have had a similar experience before and that they will be along shortly to tell you more about how long it took them to be seen as a non urgent appointment. It may be difficult to have exact estimates as to how long it takes, especially during these uncertain covid times, but your doctor should be able to give you a timeframe on this. 

    Waiting for results or to find out more is often described here as the hardest thing and this uncertainty can lead to a lot of anxiety. I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. There are some useful tips here too on how to cope while waiting for important news. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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