Hi CMix,

So sorry you're going through this it can be a worrying time can't it!  I've had not exact but semi similar symptoms to yourself I went to my doctors last Tuesday who examined me and put me on the 2 week wait list 2 days later I had a call offering me an appointment for Monday (yesterday).  I went had another physical examine after again explaining my symptoms etc I had a mammogram, ultrasound and a breast core biopsy (tissue aspiration) of the lump in my left armpit.  Now awaiting my results which should be next Tuesday.  That's my experience anyway but you may have different tests done to myself I guess it depends on what they think needs to be looked at.  I really do hope you'll be ok though and wish you all the best whatever your outcome is too.  Everyone who has replied to me on here has been so nice and reassuring.  Just do yourself a favour and stay off dr Google!  The main thing is you've taken first step by seeing your gp the rest the will come and cross each bridge as or if and when you get to it.

All the best

X

Hi Mumoftwo35

sorry that you are going through this as well, I hope things will be ok for you too. If you don't mind me asking, did they give you any initial results from the scans? Or will they wait for the biopsy to give you the full results? How long did the appointment take? Reassuring that you got your appointment within a week. Hopefully I won't have too long a wait. Yes, Dr Google is dangerous but can't help it at times. 
 

please let me know how to get on and wish you all the best

x

That has brought a smile to my face...amazing news !!! So relieved and happy for you. I hope you and your son enjoy the rest of the day

x

Hi Mumoftwo,

This news has really made my day. I'm delighted for you!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Well what a day, honestly happy son and a happy mummy too. Thank you all so much everyone's support lately has been so very much appreciated many happy tears today!

X

Hi CMix,

I am so glad to hear that you now have your breast clinic appointment through and that it's fairly soon. You will find that the staff at these clinics are normally very understanding and helpful. You will have a chat with your consultant about your symptoms, then an examination of your breasts. After that you may have a  mammogram (if over 40), an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy. Not all clinics give the scan results straight away, as you usually have to wait another 1-2 weeks for the result of your biopsy. The biopsy determines whether or not any lumps found are cancerous. 

Not all lumps are cancerous. Some people have naturally lumpy breasts, whilst others have fibroadenoma or cysts. It is a fact that only 2 people out of every 10 will get a cancer diagnosis, so here's hoping that you'll be one of the lucky ones!

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

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 Jolamine,

So sorry to hear about your mum and that you have been through this twice. It must have been very difficult for you and your family, but happy to see that you have come out the other side.

Thank you this has given me some reassurance and honestly just being able to express my feelings more openly has helped release some stress. I will do and hopefully with good news. 

Take care

x

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 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

Thank you for replying. 
 

Do they do all 3 as standard? The gp said I'd have an ultrasound and they'd biopsy if they noticed anything but it makes sense to do all of them. 
 

im not on the 2 week pathway so I think it's at least a 12 week wait unless I go private which I might do as I don't think I can carry on like this with that sort of a wait. 

Hi,

They don't always do all three. Sometimes, the consultant can tell from the shape, size or positioning of a lesion. Also they don't always do a masmmogram with younger people, because their breasts tend to be denser, so the images are not too clear. However, there is no hard and fast rule. If they feel that the breasts are not too dense they can still carry out a mammogram in a younger person. It really makes sense to do at least the ultrasound and biopsy, just to be certain.

I just wanted to let you know to expect these other checks and not to panic by thinking that they'd found something. I agree that the worry is terrible. It is always tempting to go private, but that is a decision that only you can make. Remember that no amount of worry will change the outcome.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you. The gp said they'd biopsy if they saw anything so I was expecting to know then that if they did that it was cancer. What you say makes sense. I've lost my appetite, feel nauseous and on edge. 

Hi,

A biopsy doesn't always indicate something sinister. If there is a lump present, they usually biopsy it, as they cannot tell just by looking at it, whether it is benign or cancerous. Losing your appetite,being on edge, feeling nauseous, unable to sleep, or concentrate, are all emotions that hit us while we're waiting. You will find it easier once you know.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 13 years and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life, so even if the news is bad, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you. Silly, inconsequential question but can I still shave? I don't know if I should just leave my arm pits hairy incase I cause it to become irritated. I am trying not to touch it and cause myself even more anxiety. 

Hi,

I am not a doctor, so this is just my personal opinion. If the skin is now intact, I don't see any problem with shaving. However, if you want to make sure, why not give one of the nurses on this forum a call and ask them? They are available from Mon-Fri, from 9.00am- 5.00pm. Their freephone number is: 0808 800 4040.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx