Cancer Research UK main site

Armpit lump - waiting for an appointment

jacsgirl
Offline

Hello everyone

I feel very selfish dumping all my worries here on a Saturday night, sorry

On December 15th I went to my GP with a left side armpit lump - she immediately said it needed a biopsy and referred me to our 2 ww/Fast track breast clinic. My family have a big history of breast cancer. I told her I'd had a clear mammogram in September 2021 and she said that wasn't much use as the mammogram doesnt go into your armpit

I am still waiting for my appointment - Christmas and so many poor NHS staff off with covid makes everything more difficult I know. Yesterday and today I have started to experience some pain radiating out of the armpit and also in my shoulder blade which is freaking me out completely!  Someone needs to disconnect the wifi to make me stop googling NOW!

Do I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience of an armpit lump, whether it's always cancer and whether the doctor knew it was bad when she said I needed a biopsy?  Sorry to be so selfish with all my questions. I have noticed an inverted nipple on the same side but it isn't inverted all the time, only occasionally - I'm hoping it wouldn't 'pop in and out' (sorry for so much detail!) if a mass was pulling it in? I hope you are all staying safe and well and thank you for reading this far

I daren't keep looking at it/feeling it

 

  • Offline

    Hello. Honestly, you sound exactly like me! I also have a lump in my left armpit. I have pain in my shoulder that radiates down my arm and the occasional inverted nipple. The lump is moveable but convincing myself it's not. It is also firm but not hard, and isn't too big. I've had it for a week now. The only difference is I'm 6 weeks postpartum but not breast feeding so it could be hormonal for me. 
    I am a worrier anyway and jump to the worst case scenario it probably doesn't help that I am a nurse and know too much. 
    I have an appointment on Monday - a telephone call, hopefully the doctor will see me and refer. I am petrified and Google does not help at all but it's so easy to do. All I can say is, stop googling (hypocritical I know) and maybe they are being quite thorough with you because of your past medial history and factors such as age etc they all take into account. 
     

    So sorry I haven't actually helped but just know you are not alone. 
     

    KT x

  • Offline in reply to kmac5

    Thank you so much KT for getting back to me - you have so much on your plate with a new baby!

    How weird that we have almost exactly the same symptoms!

    will you let me know what the doctor says on Monday? I am sure they will see you and refer which is good.

    Can I ask another question -- does your lump feel round/pea-like or is it bean shaped? I keep reading how the lymph nodes are naturally bean shaped..............

    Take care and thank you! xx

  • Offline in reply to jacsgirl

    Hello Jacsgirl sorry for the late reply :-)

    Aww no problem. Oh it is, it's the thoughts I'm getting like what if my babies grow up without me, It's horrible! :-( 

    Of course I will, I hope the doctor doesn't mess around and sees me and comes up with a plan soon! 
     

    Yes it's more like a bean shape. What is yours like? How long have you had your lump now? 
     

    I would ring up your doctors tomorrow and chase up the appointment. Hopefully they'll give you the number for the department that does all the bookings. 
     

    Good luck and I will get back to you after my appointment.

     

    Big hugs and thank you to you too

    Kt 

    xx


     

  • Offline in reply to kmac5

    OK let's compare notes tomorrow!  I think a bean shape is good ie a lymph node - I'm avoiding feeling mine but I think mine was more round (pea/marble?) which I have diagnosed (via Google) as being very bad.

  • Offline in reply to jacsgirl

    Helo there

    I had a call first thing from the NHS fast track breast clinic to offer me an appointment this Wednesday at our local hospital: I feel really relieved and lucky to have got that - will let you know

     

    How are you today - any contact from doctor yet?

    Thinking of you xxx

     

     

     

     

  • Offline in reply to jacsgirl

    Hello jacsgirl. Oh that's brilliant, let me know how you get on. I've been to the GP today. He felt the lump says it's spongy and moves so he does not think it's a concern, however wanted me to have an ultrasound on it. I mentioned the shoulder pain and side of breast pain and so he said he would refer me to the breast clinic under the 2 week rule, I think he could sense the anxiety, so I am quite relieved that it will be quicker. 

    I hope you are ok and thinking of you too, take care xxx

  • Offline in reply to kmac5

    I'm so glad your GP took you seriously and has referred you.

    Let me know when your appointment comes through and I will of course let you know how I get on Wednesday. I'm not allowed to take anyone with me so I will have to wear my Big Girl Pants for the day!

    Take care 

    Susie

     

  • Offline in reply to jacsgirl

    Hello Susie. You will be fine I am sure of it. I think those breast clinics are really good and you'll find out pretty much on the day what's what, and they'll take biopsies if they need to. I will let you know when my appointment comes through. Good luck for Wednesday, will wait for your outcome. I am sure everything will be fine.

     

    Take care 

    Katie 

  • Offline

    Hi I also have an appointment on Wednesday at the Breast Clinic. I have armpit pain on the right and slight thickening as the doctor called it. Have also waited since the 10th Dec. It seems a long time especially getting through Christmas and New Year. Sending love Steph. x

  • Offline in reply to Stephmonkey

    Hi just wanted to let you know my experience. In September I had pain in my left breast and also swelling near my armpit. No lump but the doctor referred me under the 2 week. Luckily I got my appointment within a few days. I was checked by the consultant and then had a mammogram and a scan. The consultant rang me back in the same day and told me everything was clear. He did say I had thickening of skin near my armpit which looks like swelling and was advices to take starflower. I felt relieved and I still have it, sometimes looks big sometimes the swelling isn't as noticeable. I just wanted to share my experience x

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.