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Lump in breast - worried

Anxious30
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Hi all

Just after some advice, I found a small lump in my breast a couple of days ago, it's a few cm above my nipple on my left breast. I can feel it stood up but when I lay down I can't feel it. The lump feels smooth, and isn't painful. Although I think I have made the area tender by poking around 

I've had pain the this particular breast before, and been referred to the clinic at the hospital but they examined me and said all was ok. Not sure what the pain was, it wasn't there all the time, just intermittently. 
 

With it being Christmas my doctors isn't open until Wednesday. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this? I'm a self confessed worrier so as you can imagine I've already diagnosed myself. I wondered if anyone had got quicker results going private? Or is this something I could go to the walk in centre about? 
 

Trying not to panic and keep calm. I have 2 young children and feel upset about everything. I check my breasts regularly but this is the first time I've felt a lump.

 

  • Offline

    I don't have any advice but just wanted to send support. 
    I just found a lump this morning and the idea of having to wait till Wednesday to start doing anything about it is winding me up already.

    I don't know if there's any other route, trying to investigate. 

    Take care x

  • Offline

     

    Hi Anxious,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many are benign cysts, fibrous or hormonal changes. It is good that the lump you have feels smooth, because it is more likely to be cancer if the edges are jagged. 

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years and know just how worrying the wait to get a diagnosis is. Contact your GP as soon as the surgery re-opes and get the ball rolling. Try not to keep poking about, as this will only make the area sore. Whtever you do, steer clear of the internet until you know exactly what you are dealing with, as it will only scare you further and, serve no useful purpose. 

    There is little difference in the waiting times between NHS and private. You might be seen slightly quicker if you go private, but if you then need treatment and need to be referred back to the NHS, you may have to wait for that. Many people have reported seeing the same surgeon in NHS and privately. You usually wait about 2 weeks from referral to be seen within the NHS. I am hoping that since all was ok last time you were checked, it will be this time too.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you both for your responses. I do feel very anxious about it. It's taken over my mind. I keep thinking what if last time I went they missed something. Trying my best to put it to the back of my mind. 
     

    going to get intouch with the gp Wednesday and take it from there. X

  • Offline in reply to BeckyS

     

    Hi Becky,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. As far as I know, these are the only routes available, bu I think that you  need a GPs referral, whichever route you take. Only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breastclinicwill receive a cancer diagnosis and, the younger you are, the less likely this is to happen.

    I sincerely hope that all goes well for you. Please keep in touchandlet us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thought I'd update you, managed to speak to the doctor this afternoon and she saw me straight away. She said it doesn't seem like anything sinister and thinks it's maybe to do with my cycle. I have another appointment with her in 4 weeks and she said she'd refer me onto the hospital if she needed to. 

  • Offline in reply to Anxious30

     

    Hi Anxious,

    Thank you for the update. I am delighted to hear that you managed to see your GP so quickly and that she doesn't think that this is anything untoward. I am glad to hear that she is bringing you back to double check and will refer you if need be. I hope that you feel happier about this now.

    Please let me know how you get on when you see her again.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Bit of an update, I rang the gp back today to get referred sooner. The pain is still there and so is the lump. I suffer with health anxiety and my mind is constantly racing with scenarios of what could happen to me. I'm very anxious about it all. The gp said usually you are seen within 2 weeks so hoping that's the case for me. I'm trying not to think negative thoughts but can't help it. I'm really worried it could have spread. 

  • Offline in reply to Anxious30

     

    Hi Anxious,

    Your GP is right. Most of us are seen within the two week time frame from date of referral. Here's hoping that your GP is right and that it is nothing to be concerned about. Many people develop benign cysts, fibrous or hormonal changes.

    Please let us know how you get on.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Anxious, I'm new on here but read your post and it sounds identical to my current experience with the exception that I've not had any concerns in the past. I was wondering if you've had any updates? 
    I saw my GP today and have been referred to the breast clinic which I was expecting. She said nothing positive or negative which has panicked me but I know it's a waiting game now. I am not great at waiting, I guess no one is but it's already driving me crazy and I've been warned I could be in for a 4 week wait :cry:

  • Offline in reply to worried2022

     

    Hi Worried,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.I am sorry to hear that you are now waiting to be seen at the breast clinic too. Your GP won't really know much more than you at the moment, which is probably why she didn't say much. It is not really until you have had a biopsy and some scans that the doctors can be certain that there is noing untoward present.

    As you rightly said, none of us are great at waiting and it is at times like this, when we are really put to the test, that we all realise that we are the same as everyone else. It is not unusual to feel scared and to find your emoions all over the place.  Imaginations also tend to take us to all sorts of dark places and tears are never far away. Rest assured that this is all perfectly normal.

    I do hope that you don't have to wait up to 4 weeks to be seen. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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