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Fibroadenomas mistaken for cancer?

Alicat79
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Hi,

I'm in my early 40's and found a small pea sized lump in right breast at the beginning of September. To cut a long story short, I had mammogram and ultrasound last Monday. The consultant said it looks like a Fibroadenoma but as it's a new lump they took 2 biopsies. I have health anxiety any way and have been so, so scared that this is cancer. They said it doesn't look like cancer and not expecting it to be, but they can't be 100 % sure it isn't, until biopsy results. 

Due to my anxiety, the consultant said she'll see me face to face with results which has made me more on edge...the appointment is next Monday. 

I have now scared myself by reading that triple negative breast cancer often looks like benign Fibroadenoma on ultrasound scan, and I've scared myself it is cancer... 

How common is it for suspected Fibroadenomas to actually be confirmed as cancer? I know a couple of people here has this happen to them I just feel so uneasy about it. Very nervous about my appt. 

Thanks in advance x

 

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    I wish I had the answer to that. I am in the exact same situation. I found a large lump that the doctor said was Fibroadenoma but referred me to the breast clinic to get checked. I was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound on Saturday where they found multiple lumps and also active lymph nodes in the armpits. I had 3 biopsies and have to wait until 13th October for the results. Its such a horribly long wait isn't it. 

    I'm here to chat if you need to at any point.   

  • Offline in reply to Nixxie

    Hi Nixxie,

    Thanks for the reply. Sorry you're going through a similar thing too. It's really nerve wracking isn't it, and kind of feels unreal...

    At your ultrasound did they give you any indication of what your lumps might be? I know that some women just are very lumpy with cysts etc... 

    Yes 13th is a long time to wait. It's weird because I want to know, and yet I also don't want that day to come either.. 

    Hope you're ok. Xx

     

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    Hi

    I don't have any answers on likelihood or not of cancer but just wanted to share that I recently has a biopsy done on suspected fibro and every was fine.
     

    They took three biopsies and the Dr explained that if we were in Europe or the USA things would be different. They would wait 6 months, get you back in for another scan and then decide whether to do a biopsy or not. In the UK they've decided it's more cost effective to do the biopsies then and there (and personally I think better for our mental health as patients).


    He explained that being someone who takes biopsies day in and day out he knows how malignant ones feel and can make a reasonably accurate judgment call, but the biopsy is the only way to 100% diagnose.  
     

    It sounds like they are doing face to face as are aware how anxious you are and perhaps easier to talk things through than over the phone? Mine turned out to not be fibro but a cluster of micro cysts (hand me the sick bag now please) and we wouldn't have known that without the biopsy - all fine. 
     

    take care and get in touch if I can help in anyway x

  • Offline in reply to Bmco

    Thanks so much for the reassurance, Chloe. 

    Yes I guess I'm actually glad to have had the biopsy now, couldn't stand the stress of waiting to see if the lump changed! 

    I'm really glad yours turned out to be benign, what a relief!

    Thank you for your reply. X

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