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Concerned about hard tissue in left breast

blondegirlx
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Hi, I am a 26 year old and I have severe health anxiety and I am really worried about my breast.

I have small lumpy breasts and my last breast scan was in February this year because I felt a lymph node under my left armpit, I got an ultra sound and they said it was a normal lymph node and I can feel it because I am thin. This result was such a relief for me and I felt like I could put my worries away for a while. I check my breasts every week for lumps and I can feel so many lumps in them and I have been reassured several times by my gp and the nurses at the breast clinic that it just glandular tissue. 

For a while now I have felt a big chunk of hard tissue in my left breast and it feels like there's a lot more tissue in my left than my right and it feels harder. My left breast is also slightly bigger than my right one. When I lie on my front or hug anyone I can feel it in my breast. I seen a girl online from where I am from who is about my age and she went to the doctors with a hardened left breast and she had an ultrasound and she was told it was fine, then she went back the doctors and was treated for a breast infection but then she paid private and found out she had breast cancer. I don't want to frighten anybody I am so so sorry if this does frighten anybody as much as it has frightened me but I just need genuine advice and some reassurance, I am desperate.

I went to the doctors today and my doctor said it feels normal but she will send me for a ultrasound to reassure me. I feel like the doctor Is only saying this because she knows I have severe anxiety and that she genuinely thinks something is wrong but doesn't want to say anything because she knows how bad I worry, but she knows something could be wrong and that's why she is sending me. If she thought it was normal why would she send me for a scan when I had one 6 months ago?

I am sick with worry. The hard tissue moves and I am confused as what to look for when checking my breast, they are very lumpy so how do I know if something is wrong or not? It is debilitating and I can't deal with having to cope with this anxiousness my whole life over my breast because they are always going to be so lumpy.  I know this may sound rediculous and I feel so awful that people are dealing with cancer yet here I am constantly worrying about it. I feel disgusted in my self that what others will find trivial, but this worries me horrendously. 
can someone please help me or has anyone been through anything similar? Is it possible for cancer to be missed on an ultrasound if I have dense breast tissue and would I have other symptoms by now if there was something wrong? Can cancer develop in 6 months of a clear ultrasound scan? Thank you x

  • Hello blondegirlx

    I'm sorry to hear that you have some concerns about your breast health at the moment. It's good to know that your GP has examined you and is sending you for an ultrasound to get things checked. 

    It does sound as if you're really struggling with anxiety at the moment. You're worried that your GP is sending you for an ultrasound but I imagine you'd still have been worried if she had said there was no cause for concern and hadn't referred you. Hopefully, you won't have to wait too long for the appointment and the ultrasound results will give you some reassurance. 

    Please stay avoid searching the internet for answers whilst you're waiting for this appointment. We know that for many people, particularly if you already have health anxieties, this will only serve to make you more worried. Instead, have a look at the information on the NHS website about managing health anxiety which has some useful advice and information. I'd also suggest talking to your GP about getting some proper support to manage your mental health. 

    In the meantime, it may help to try and remember that the vast majority of people who attend their GP/breast clinic with lumps and breast health concerns are not diagnosed with cancer. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

     

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    Hi!

    I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm 43 - so older than you but classed as "young" (much to my delight!) in terms of my breast tissue. I have suffered with lumpy breasts for many years, have various cysts and fibrodenomas and 3 weeks ago diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately early stage and very treatable.

    Anyway....I had a mammogram as part of my breast appointment 1 stop shop the other week and there is no sign of the tumour on there. On physical examination, the consultant thought it was a cyst.
     

    However, on the ultrasound, clear as day, you could see it was cancer. Even I could see it. It was a jagged edged mass. It stood out like a beacon. 
     

    So in my experience, to answer your question, ultrasounds are a much more effective way to see breast cancer in younger women and I believe this is one of the reasons why they don't routinely offer mammograms to under 50s. An ultrasound is a much better diagnostic test.

    It ALWAYS good to be breast aware but personally I think checking your breast so frequently may be adding to your anxiety. Your breasts go through many changes throughout the month with your monthly cycle. You would be best selecting one day each month and self examining them.

    Good Luck. I am sure you will be fine xxx

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