Cancer Research UK main site

Breast concerns

LM_3471
Offline

Hi all,

Just looking for somewhere to ramble or ask questions, i don't know. At the end of January, I found a lump in my breast. I can only feel it lying down flat with my arm above my head, but it was definitely something I hadnt felt before. I went to the GP, she said she could feel a definite lump and I got referred to the breast clinic. It took a month for my breast clinic appointment- when I went at the end of February, they did an ultrasound but couldnt see anything, then a physical exam where they said it was just normal breast tissue. 

We're now at the end of March- i've held off feeling it too much, but can still feel the lump and i'm still convinced its not normal breast tissue- i don't have it in my other breast and id never felt it before- but I put it to the back of my mind. I got up this evening to go to the bathroom and caught sight of my breast in the mirror. There appears to be some slight dicolouration, almost purplish in colour, right where the lump is. The discolouration is slightly bigger than the lump, but right in that area. I noticed the discolouration llast month, but thought i was just being paranoid or had been poking at my lump too much, causing discolouration. I could see the skin looked slightly off colour, but I was focussing heavily on my boob at that point due to the lump, so was quite hyper fixated by it. But this time I wasnt even thinking about my breasts, I just noticed it casually. I've looked back on photos i took of my breast when i found the lump, and the discolouration seems to be more noticeable now.  I've looked back at photos i have from last year of my boobs, and can't see any discolouration in them. 

I'm a bit worried about going back to the Gp and back to the breast clinic, because they said it was nothing last time. I feel like they think i'm being a hypochondriach, but i'm genuinely worried about it. I cried through my whole appointment at the breast clinic last time and i'm scared to go back. I don't want to be on my own, but I know covid rules mean you have to be.

Could it just be normal breast changes? Is this just my boobs ageing?

 I'm 24, so i know i'm low risk- i know my maternal grandma had breast cancer last year, but i am no contact with any of the rest of my biological family so not sure about them. 

 

Has anyone been in this position before? is discolouration something to be worried about? I haven't been poking or feeling the lump recently, and haven't had any trauma so don't think its a bruise. It also isn't purple enough for a bruise, its just like a faint almost circle that isn't quite the same colour as the rest.

 

Sorry its a ramble, i can't really speak to my friends about it again, since we went through this whole thing last month. I don't want them thinking i'm being stupid or overdramatic, but it doesn't seem right

 

Lottie x

  • Offline

    Hello Lottie,

    Sorry to read you are terribly anxious about a breast lump you have found.  It's good that you have been to your GP and it's been checked out at the breast clinic.  It's also very good news that they suggest it's just normal breast tissue.  However the fact that you are still so worried, do go back to your GP and asked to be referred back.  You can't go on living with this state of anxiety and you don't appear to have gained much reassurance from the procedure. 
     

    You know your own body and no-one would judge you for asking for a second opinion, it's very common to ask for one, and they will happily oblige you.  Some people have very dense breasts, especially when younger and this can make things difficult to see breast changes.

    Try not to worry, you have already been seen and they haven't found anything sinister which is very good news.  Do go back to your GP and get referred again for a second opinion, more to give yourself peace of mind than anything else, then you can put all this behind you.  You can take someone with you to the hospital but they will probably have to wait in the corridor, but at least you won't be there on your own.

    Wishing you all the best.

  • Offline

    I have an open appointment at breast clinic and ring for an appointment when l. feel that l the need to see them. They told me that the scans are a snapshot of the day they are taken and things can change.

    See your doctor and ask for a further referral. When you go for appointments you can have someone with you but you and your friend will need to wait in the corridor but you can take them into your appointment. When I went to breast clinic 4 weeks ago many  patients had escorts with them.

    lf you have changes get advice from your doctor, it's hard not to worry about your breasts. My surgeon has been really understanding and helpful l hope you have the same experience. 
    Take care 

    Susie 

     

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.