Hi, I absolutely know how your feeling it is frightening when you feel a lump. You definitely do need to phone the doctors in the morning even if it turns out to be nothing it will put your mind at ease.

Hope everything goes well for you, Good luck and best wishes 

Thank you for replying. 
I've made it sore now and it's swollen a bit as I keep prodding and poking it about. 
Im googling everything I can and I know it's not helping but I can't help it I feel like I need to know what I'm going into? 
i just have a bad feeling about it all!!! 
 

Try not to worry , keep busy and hopefully all will be good for you xxx good luck xx 

I know I'm not helping but I don't know what else to do. I feel like I now have 3 lumps not 1! I've read about sarcoma that attaches to tissue, could it be that? It's so painful today I've had to take pain relief and inthink that breast is bigger than the other now too. Shall I ring breast clinic and say I think there's 3 lumps now not 1 and it's a different size? 
yes it is the waiting and no one in real life is helping they just say don't worry it's probably nothing not all lumps are cancer and it isn't helping at all!! 
 

Hi, it might be bigger now especially if your prodding and poking it. If it's painful then perhaps take pain relief. You could try to phone the breast clinic but I dont know if it would help tbh. I really do feel for you. We have all been thro the waiting period and it is worrying for us all. I really know where your coming from when people tell you don't worry, it's natural to be worried. I found chatting on here helps a lot when I'm feeling worried, down,or even upset. 

Good luck and just take one day at a time xx

Hi, Stay off Google, it doesn't help it heightens your anxiety. The feeling of not knowing is the worst, your mind will go into overdrive. You have to think of it this way, if you didn't go to the GP or find the lump then that would be worse, although it's scary your doing the right thing and the hospital will look after you. 
Don't jump ahead, it could be a cyst. Boobs are so complex. I'm 38 with two sons. I do know how you feel. Mine was Cancer, but I caught it early and I'm on the other side now and doing well., Take deap breaths stay to the light. Xx

I read that cysts look RADICALLY different to cancer on an ultrasound and are therefore very easy to diagnose. But the problem here is your anxiety (I have health anxiety too).. please do not research this any more. There is no value in that. Accept that right now, you do not know what these lumps are, and trust that the professionals have the tools to find out. You are not qualified to diagnose yourself. Also remind yourself regularly of the facts- most breast lumps are benign. Most importantly, STOP TOUCHING THEM. You are prolonging the anxiety cycle. Every time you touch them, you're inviting more intrusive thoughts. 
good luck with your scan and try and put your energy into managing your anxiety rather than trying to diagnose yourself xx

I feel that I can't get past this, every thought of every waking minute is do I have cancer I have cancer I know I do stop being ridiculous you don't know anything it's a cyst but what if it isn't we won't be able to go on holiday in October I'll ruin everything i can't book anything I can't get excited about anything my first thought when the queen died was well what if it's me next. 
 

i can't help it I look at my kids and think I need to plan for their birthdays like cards etc xmases leave notes for my partner so he knows what to do. 
I don't know how to manage this anxiety it has taken over me like something else. I've never ever been like this before even when I had an abnormal smear this is next level I think because I know deep down this is going to be it for me. 

I've stopped prodding it now yt doesn't hurt which I'm worried about. And I don't know if it's grown? And my shoulder hurts I've read about referred pain in breast cancer? 

I'm really sorry to see how much of an impact your anxiety is having at the moment Scaredtosleep99.

When anxiety feels constant or overwhelming it can be very difficult to manage. If you feel like your anxiety has got to that point, please let your GP know as they will be able to help and possibly provide you with something that will help calm you and get this under control.

I hope the posts you've been receiving from the community have been helping as well but if you feel you need further support and advice do be sure to have a look at the tips given on the NHS Every Mind Matters website and the resources provided on Anxiety UK.

We're thinking of you ScaredtoSleep99 and hope everything will be o.k.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you, you probably think I sound like an utter nutter i promise you I'm not! I don't know where this has come from i have health anxiety but never anything like this. I'm usually a rational person but this I don't know it's just taken over my life since Sunday when I found the lump. I phoned the breast clinic and told them about my anxiety and worries and she said basically you'll have to wait which is fine but she said if it's bad news it won't make a difference anyway! I said what have I said to make you think it'll be bad news!!  She said its nothing they can do it'll be looked at and assessed Monday and go from there but she really made me panic, will the GP have told them anything on the referral letter like a heads up oh I think this or I think that? 
 

My stomach is in knots I've just had another feel and I'm sure there's more lumps 

My stomach is in knots I've just had another feel and I'm sure there's more lumps 

Hi scaredtosleep,

I've just been reading your posts and I feel exactly like you. I have health anxiety since losing a close family member and at the min, I am beyound terrified. 
I can't sleep, eat, I cry all day and feel sick. How the heck I am going to get through work tomorrow, I have absolutely no idea. I'm desperate even for a couple of hours sleep. I literally had about an hours sleep since Friday and I lay awake thinking the worst and putting my family through another loss and grief. 
my app at the breast clinic is on rhe 15th what about yours? I have a lump, as well as swelling  and pain under arm pit and I am expecting the worst. This is my second lump and got good news with the first. Also this is 5 scare which involves a 2 week referral to rule Out cancer, in 2 years. I got good news on all 5 and feel like l luck will run out. I just feel physically ill waiting for news/appointments and it's taking over my life. I just wanted to share how I felt to let you know you are not alone. Sending love x

Hi

I just wanted to say you are not alone in feeling so anxious. It's so overwhelming isn't it!

My situation is a bit different.- I was treated for breast cancer 8 years ago and have had 5 clear mammograms since then. I had my last mammogram  on Tuesday, and as it's the first one for 3 years I have convinced myself this time that the cancer has returned ( I was told I had quite a high ridk of recurrence).

I can identify so much with not being able to plan anything, and I find myself waking up in a state of panic at 3am every morning.. The thought of bring recalled terrifies me, and I panic every time the post arrives! I was told results should arrive within 2 weeks but getting through each day is such a struggle. I think it's the not knowing that is the worst part!

I do hope everything works out for you. I probably haven't been much help,  but just wanted to say I understand exactly how you feel and to wish you luck.

Jxx

I am so sorry to hear of your previous diagnosis, it's so sad that so many of us are affected by this terrible disease. 
I know it's so hard waiting for results, but I have a friend who has remained cancer free for many years, not that it ever takes away the fear, I imagine. So try and not think of the worst and keep busy. I know it's so hard.

Sending a big hug. I'm desperate for some sleep tonight x

Thanks so much for replying - I will try very hard to be strong! I've already told my partner that he has to open the letter when it arrives though:)

On the positive side I've actually had a really healthy 8 years since my treatment, and tolerated Anastrozole ok. Since my mammogram I've just got it in my head that it's about to start all over again!! It's seems a shame that after 5 years you go back to the normal 3 yearly screening. 

I do hope you get some sleep tonight - and a big hug to you too.

Jxx

Hey; thanks for taking the time to message. 
my appointment is today at 9.40. 
I hardly slept last night. Yesterday I thought I could hardly feel the lump/hard bit. Today it feels bigger than ever. 
i just have a feeling it's going to be bad news, I just feel it. You know that sense of impending doom. 
i hope your appointment goes well, that's not long to wait now. What was your lumps the last 5 times? 
xx

Oh gosh bless you, that's good that the mammograms have been clear since. Have you reason for concern this time? 
i hardly slept last night I've been prodding it in the night and this morning and it feels bigger even though yesterday I felt it was smaller. 
I just feel like there's this sense of impending doom coming. I've only told my sister and partner, my good friend is coming along today but she has had breast cancer 2 years ago so is understanding how I feel. 
it's just the not knowing I can not stand, I'm a planner, a do-er. This limbo isn't working for me! 

Very best of luck today. And I'm so glad you have someone to hold your hand.
I do think sometimes we fear the worse to protect ourselves. I haven't got a specific reason for being so scared this time - as you say it's just that horrible feeling of impending doom!
Being in limbo is awful - and it's amazing what we can cope with when we have to and have a plan.

Everything crossed for you - and let us know how you get on.

Jxx

Hi Casey123

Hope you managed some sleep last night. I just noticed your appointment is on 15th so not too long to go - I know how long the next few days will seem though.

I'm already listening for the post, stomach churning and feeling sick. I don't go into work until Wednesday - at least when I'm there I have to think about other things ( well at least part of the time!! I have some really supportive colleagues too who get what I'm going through. 
I think I'm the same as you - I'm worrying so much how a new diagnosis would affect my family, especially my grown up children whose dad ( my ex husband) has terminal brain cancer. 

Its the waiting that is unbearable though - one minute I want to know and then I don't!! I'm sure you are the same. 
 

I'll be thinking of you this week and do let us know how you get on. I won't say don't worry, but just hope it all works out ok for you. 

Jxx

I've just got back - all was well. Fibrocystic changes due to hormones. Thank god. But the mammogram was a bit hairy, I had to go back and have more images done as the lady said they'd found a large mass, well I nearly vomited on the spot. But then when I went to the ultra sound the radiologist said it was all jsut Fibrocystic changes and there was absolutely no sign of any tumours benign or otherwise. 
 

thank you all for being here for me and chatting when I was at a low point. I hope everyone else has a good outcome, please keep the thread updated as we're all here for you xx

Hi

I'm so happy for you - I bet you floated out of there!! Time to celebrate - and sleep - now!!

I just called up Breast Screening to see how long results are taking - she said 21 - 28 days at the moment!! I feel a bit more positive after hearing about your experience. Even if I get called back I mustn't assume things will be the same as before.

Have a lovely day - and thanks for your support.

Jxx