Thank you so much it really has been a great day. Please let me know how you get on with your appointment this Friday I will be thinking of you and keeping everything crossed for you

X

Hi Jolamine,

Thank you for your reply, I am in my late thirties, so I presume they will only do the ultrasound and maybe a biopsy. 
 

Could it be possible that they just do a physical exam and say nothing to worry about? Or do you know if a scan is standard practice ?

I was not so worried before, just thought it looked a bit swollen and slightly tender. However, when the GP examined me she said she could feel nodules and thickening, are nodules essentially lumps? This is all in the area between my breast and underarm. Couldn't feel any actual lumps in my breast, but I am on the chunkier side. My mum had breast cancer, but in her fifties. My best friend also died late last year due to cancer and her funeral is in just over a week; Watching her and her family go through that has been heartbreaking.

Grieving mixed with all these worries, just keeps running through my head and nothing is distracting enough. 

Sorry to go on, just don't feel like I can talk to anyone else, until I know what it actually is (if anything).

Just wish Friday would come quicker.

x

Thank you Mumoftwo35, I will do.

x

Hi CMix,

I am so sorry to hear how you feel. It is absolutely heartbreaking watching someone slowly slip away with cancer. Fortunately, this happens less often nowadays than it used to do. There have been some tremendous advancements in diagnosis, treatment and after care of cancer, in the past few years. I lost my mum to breast cancer 25 years ago. I have since had 2 bouts myself, in the past 13 years. I am happy to say, that there has been just no comparison in what we both experienced. I am fortunate enough to still be leading a busy and fulfilling life.

If you are in your late 30ies, there is a chance that they may still carry out a mammogram. The reason that they don't always do it is because younger breasts are usually denser and changes don't always show up well on mammogram - it sounds as if you might be in the "grey" area. Occasionally some people just need a physical examination, for consultants to rule out the presence of cancer,.but the majority need to have a scan. It is possible that they may want to test your underarm, seeing that it has been giving problems. Pain seldom accompanies breast cancer, so here's hoping that this is something less serious.

I am not a doctor but I would think that nodules are just small lumps. However, not all lumps are cancerous. Some are cysts or fibroadenoma. Of all the people who attend the breast cancer clinic, 80% get the all clear, so here's hoping that you'll be one of the lucky ones.

It is so difficult to rid the thought out of your head.This is always a worrying time, try to keep yourself preoccupied with other interests. I know that Friday seems like forever, but it will be here soon. You will find the staff at these clinics are usually very helpful and empathetic.

I'll be thinking of you on Friday and I am hoping for good news.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi CMix,

I have found this site very helpful throughout the years. You can speak exactly as you feel and nobody will be surprised, as we've all experienced this first hand.

Hoping and paying for good news.

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone 

apologies for jumping in on this post but it seemed the most similar place to post. 
 

im 39, 2 young children aged 5 and 6. I had under arm waxing in September and on 1st October had quite a large, red lump on my under arm which was painful to touch. It settled down and I've had a lump there since. I thought it would go away and I'm thought it wasn't there a few weeks ago but now I'm not sure. 
 

this morning I felt it so went to the gp. She said it isn't as superficial as she thought and has referred me for an ultrasound. She rang to say it has to go through the breast clinic so will refer me. She felt my breasts and said they felt normal. 
 

she hasn't referred me under the 2 week pathway as she said she doesn't think it's cancer but I take no reassurance from that. 
 

the "lump" is in my left arm pit. It was tender on touch and the gp said it went red when she was touching it. 
 

I've got no other symptoms. 
 

I just feel so lost, anxious (I suffer with anxiety particularly around health) and consumed with worry. 
 

i know no one can reassure me or give me answers but I needed to post this somewhere as I've not told anyone except my husband. 
 

thank you for reading x 

Hi

It is hard not to worry, you instantly think the worse in this situation, but at least you have now been referred to the breast clinic, they will get to the bottom of what is wrong.

It may be a different situation, but I was checked out at the breast clinic last year as I had a very sore lump come up in my armpit, it appeared in a couple of days, i freaked out and rang the clinic (I am on automatic referral due to family history of breast cancer so I am lucky that I dont have to be referred by my gp), when I had an ultrasound they said that it was a sebaceous cyst, an infection that got on through the hair folicle.  After a few weeks the pain went, but I was still left with a lump there.  Every now and again it will flare up again, but I dont worry now, it calms down again.

Hopefully yours will be as harmless!  But you are definately doing the right thing getting it checked out!

Regards

Marie

Hi Midlandsparent,

I am sorry to hear of the lump you've had since you had your waxing. When it came up so soon after you had this done, here's hoping that it was an infection, following this procedure. However, you have done the right thing by getting this checked out. I know that this is a worrying wait, but try not to let your imagination run away with you. Most of us tend to think the worst at this stage, but 80% of referrals to the breast clinic get a clean bill of health.

It is unusual to have pain associated with cancer, but you are just as well to make sure. You may find that you'll also haae other tests when you attend the clinic, as most of us get a triple assessment - a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. There is usually then another anxious wait of 1-2 weeks before you get the biopsy results back. Try to avoid consulting "Dr Google", as much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the spectacular - this will only serve to scare you further. 

I wish that I could give you more reassurance, but unfortunately, everything hangs on the result of your visit. However, please keep in touch and let us know when you get your appointment through. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Marie,

I'm so glad to hear that yours was just a sebacious cyst and nothing more serious.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx