Worried sick about breast cancer.

Hi everyone,

im 30 and a few weeks ago I noticed a red patch of skin to the side of my nipple (around the size of two-pound coin) maybe a little bit bigger.

I had a look online and all I could read was about inflammatory breast cancer, ever since I have been worried sick and feel very anxious. I already suffer with anxiety so this has made me feel so poorly and unable to do anything. 
 

I have been to doctor twice and she first thought It was eczema and prescribed me a steroid cream. I went back again as no change and given another steroid cream, with no change again. I am being referred to the breast clinic today and I just don't know how to calm myself down.

i am constantly looking online to try and see that it could be something else to ease my mind. My shoulder and back have been aching but I don't know if this is also from stress. Reading online it says it could be mastitis but I don't have a fever and have never been pregnant. There are no skin changes other than the red mark and I can't feel any lumps so I'm trying to remain calm but I just don't know what to do. 

I think the thing that's worried me the most is reading about IBC is that once a red mark shows, it is already stage three and it's a very difficult cancer to treat. I know I shouldn't be going down this hole yet without any further tests but as there has been no change and no symptoms of infection, I really am feeling terrible.

Has anyone had this before or could offer me any advice at all?

 

thank you so much xx

  • Hi KT,

    so glad you have had your appointment through and don't have many days to wait now. The breast clinic is very different from other referrals. I remember being referred for my stomach and it took months of appointments to find anything out. With the breast clinic they will give you an ultrasound scan on both breasts and check to see any anomalies and also they can do other scans/mammogram if needed to double check too and they let you know the results there and then, this will obviously be different if they do need to do a biopsy, they will do that there also but you may need to wait a week or so for further results - let's cross our fingers that the scans will be enough.

    im sorry to hear you are feeling very weak at the moment. It really could be something unrelated to your breast such as a deficiency or hornonal but it's so easy just to relate it to your breast issue. I was also worried about how I would be treated if something was wrong, with all of the horror stories we hear about waiting and lack of staff etc. One thing I can say about that, my gran was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer last Jan and her treatment and care has been brilliant, she's constantly having bloods done and other tests and she is handling the chemo really well to say how poorly she was. There is always a nurse/department there for her to speak to 24/7 and she is doing very well. 

    I have good faith that we will both be ok. Let me know how you get on. I have my appointment on Monday 27th Feb so a little longer to wait but glad it's finally in the pipeline.

    take care and best wishes xxxx

  • Hi KT,

    You've been on my mind this weekend. Just wondering how you went at your appointment.

    hope your ok xx

  • Hi CJ

    Ah thank you of thinking of me. 
    I had a mammogram, ultrasound which both look clear but they have also done a biopsy so I now have to wait for the results of that hopefully won't take too long. 
    There has been some blood tests results come back from my GP that have some differences on so I now need to make an appointment with them once biopsy results come back. 
    I have to say the Breast Clinic was very well organised and very thorough,hopefully the results will be back within 2 weeks. 
    How are you doing ? 

    KT xx 

  • Trini 

    I'm so happy you had your appointment and everything looks clear my lovely 

    Love Lara ️

  • Hi KT,

    I'm so glad your mammogram and ultrasound was clear, that sounds really promising. I'm so glad the appointment was ok too. Did they mention what the red mark could have been?

    sorry to hear your bloods have a few differences in, hopefully the fact they aren't getting you in asap means it something easily fixed. Hopefully your not waiting too long now for biopsy results.

    I am doing better than I was last week but having a bit more pain in my breast and back. I don't know whether it's me worrying still causing it or making it worse should I say!

    I hope your feeling a little better now you are getting to the bottom of things xx