Hi Lula,

Hopefully I can help you. I got recalled from my mammogram in September 2021. It was my third routine one and straight away it worried me. Long story short I went to the clinic like you, had mammogram ultrasound and biopsy. The radiographer who did the ultrasound said he could see something and was very certain it was cancer (it was). Thing is, they know what cancer looks like as they see it so often. It has a familiar shape etc. The biopsy just confirms it and when you get the results, you already know what's coming. I'm sure they do get it wrong sometimes but not often. 

So, after I was diagnosed, I had surgery to remove the lump and radiotherapy. Chances are it's been caught early through screening and your treatment will follow a similar path to mine. 14 months on, I'm back at work, been on holiday etc etc and making the most of life. 

Sending best wishes 

Jane

Hi Mary

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. There are so many brave people here and being part of this group since only yesterday has really helped me feel less alone with this. I am dreading telling the family but I need my mum with me for the results. If I were to take a friend she would probably be hurt by not knowing. Telling them will give her the opportunity to come or not. They gave a clinical score of 5 which they determine to be a 5 as "definitely sure its cancer" and I dont think they would have told me this is they weren't sure. Still, im praying the results prove them to be wrong. I tried to cancel my hip replacement due in the 6th Jan, but I couldnt get through on several attempts.. maybe this is a sign...  this im taking comfort from to get me through the next few days. Christmas is such a wonderful time and I wont let this spoil it.

God bless you and keep you well and safe.. you are an amazing lady Mary and thank you again for reaching out to me.

Merry Xmas and a very happy new year to you and your family xx

Hi Jane

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. My friends that are nurses said the same, its waiting for the results that are most worrying and having to tell the family. I just need to stay hopeful over this festive period as not to show and cracks in front of family until i can tell them. A few of my close friends know but not those thwt are closes as I dont want them to worry over xmas. 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New year and god bless and keep you safe for the future xx

Hello,

I too found a lump that a mammogram the year before didn't pick up. I was called in for scan and biopsy. I really didn't think it was cancer and thought it was a cyst, but they told me straight away it was cancer. The radiographer and consultant knew, before I had results. I went alone to the biopsy and left the hospital in a daze. But within a short time I had the op and treatment in 2019/20 and here I am feeling fine. Sorry you have to cope with this as well as a hip replacement but sounds like you have caught it early so it shouldn't be too daunting. Your team will decide the best treatment for you.

Wishing you all the best for a nice Christmas  

Silver 
 

Merry Christmas Silver

Thank-you for you message. I keep thinking the worse as its been 5 yrs since my last mammogram and dont know how long its been there and scared its spread as they said a lymph gland look raised too. I keep getting waves of a burning/ stinging sensation through my whole body when tje anxiety wash over me. Im so unsure how to tell the family and my parents are dealing with my elderly Nanna who is really poorly and on end of life care. I feel sick at the thought of telling them about me on top ... x

HI Lula,

A very warm welcome to our little community.

This is not an unusual thing to be told and, although terrifying, it is sometimes better than returning for biopsy results, expecting all to be normal, only to be told that you have cancer. This way, you have a little time to come to terms with such a diagnosis and, it's an added bonus if it doesn't turn out to be so.

I have had a strange history with mammograms. I was recalled one year, but after further investigation, I was told that I was clear. I had 3 or 4 further routine mammograms, where nothing untoward was noticed. I found a lump shortly after my last routine mammogram, which turned out to be cancerous and had a lumpectomy. 6 months later, I found a larger lump in my other breast, which my surgeon was sure was cancerous, but fortunately, biopsy proved otherwise. A further 6 months down the line, I discovered a second lump in my original breast and I wasn't so lucky. This was another primary in my original breast. I had a double mastectomy. I was first diagnosed 13 years ago and still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

I later found out that not all breast cancers are the same. There are a number of different, types, grades and stages and the outcome depends upon what these are. I have a very rare form, which only 1% of people get and it doesn't always show up well on mammogram or ultrasound. Presumably, this is why I found all three lumps myself? 

I see that you have had at least one and possibly more previous mammograms. This will give your care team something to compare your current mammograms with, which will make it easier to see any changes. It is most unfortunate that this is going to mean delaying your hip operations. I have had both of my knees replaced, and know just how disappointed I would have been, if I had to delay either of these.

Have you been told when you will get the results of your biopsy? Most of us don't say anything to family and friends until the results are through and the cancer has been confirmed. Unfortunately, you are in a difficult situation, with your family and friends expecting to help in your recuperation. You could say that you are awaiting confirmation and that you have to defer your hip opeeration in the meantime.

I do hope that you get your results soon and that it won't delay your hip op for too long. No matter what the outcome, you will find it easier to cope with, than the current state of uncertainty.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you so much for replying and sharing your journey. You are a very strong lady to have gone through so much ️ and encouraging to hear that you continue to lead a full life .

If I had a partner, telling the family may have been a little esier to have someone by my side when doing so. But it is the postponement of the op that leaves me no option but to say something sooner. My results mat be back on the 3rd but with xmas they cant be sure so may have to wait until the 6th they said, which is the day of the op.

Im so scared that its spread to lymph glands as they said my gland looked raised but didnt know if it was the arthritis issues and meds causing this.. ive been told to come off the HRT patches so im praying its one of those rather than the other!

Thank you for caring to get in touch and pray that you continue to stay stong and healthy xx

Hi Lula ,

I was exactly the same as you and they told me on the day they were 98% certain it was cancer. It helped in a way as I was able to get my head around it until the biopsy results , which just confirmed it. Like u , I have no partner but I m not very good at dealing with others emotions anyway and I just wanted to get on and get it done in my own way. Ur right , telling family is the worst part and my mum was inconsolable but after the initial shock was very supportive . Just be really positive when you tell them , focus on the treatment and how it will help , that ur strong and focused. My only other advice is Don t keep worrying about results and " what ifs "... you ll drive yourself mad with it. Its out of your hands , so just wait for the results and deal with them when they come. Hope this helps , sending you lots of love and hugs. Debbie xx

Hi Debbie

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply x I have refrained from the good ole "google search" to avoid sending my brain in a spin! Im actually quite surprised at how well i feel im coping, maybe this will change once the results are confirmed. Your absolutely right tho, whatever is confirmed and whatever needs to be done has to be done. This is like politics, I cant control it but i wont let it control my will to fight it. Please keep in touch on your journey too  sending much love and support to you too xx