Hello, I'm new here, I read through this entire thread yesterday before deciding I should maybe post. Sorry to hear about those of you who have had bad news the last couple of months. I had an appointment at at the GP (although I think I saw a "Physician's Assistant" rather than a GP) on Tuesday as I found a lump on my left breast. Well I say on the breast, it is in a weird place, basically right underneath in the crease, where the breast joins to my chest. It feels firm and I can't tell if it moves or not really, the skin over the top obviously moves and I can't really work out if the lump is moving too. PA said she didn't think it felt like anything nasty but for reassurance has done the urgent referral thing anyway. I had a text Wednesday morning confirming they'd be in touch but as yet, no phone call and I'm feeling so jittery about it all. Trying to keep busy etc but I would just like to know really. I'm 35, and have two young kids. My husband is being good, although is sort of relentlessly positive which I am finding a bit annoying although I know he is just trying to stop me panicking. I haven't told my mum even though I normally tell her everything. I just don't want to worry her unnecessarily. She has lost a lot of people to breast cancer and also is a retired GP so will know more than I do. Anyway, any tips on how to cope with this waiting....? Sorry for long post.

Hi Mamabird,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the worry that this is causing you. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, or due to fibrous or hormonal changes. It is a fact that only 20% of the people who attend the breast clinic, will receive a cancer diagnosis. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in my right breast. Both of these lumps were on the underside and near the mid-line of my breast. These occurred within a year of one another. I had lost my mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her liver, lungs, bone and brain, so I was naturally terrified when I was diagnosed. I also had 2 young teenage children and I worried about their future. 

Cancer treatments have made great advances since my mum's day and there was just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and after care, which we both experienced. Instead of dying with cancer, many people are now living with it. I am 14 years cancer free and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

You should normally get your appointment within 2 weeks from the date of referral. Most of us get annoyed by our partner's positivity at this stage, but I'm sure that it is well-meant. 

I see that you have been given some excellent advice from Sandpiper, about coping strategies. I would also add to steer clear of consulting "Dr Google". Much of the information here is aimed at the more spectacular cases, which are not applicable to you and will only serve to scare you further, without giving you any answers.

I do hope that your appointment comes through soon and that nothing untoward is found.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine and Lebell, nice to know there are people who get it! I spoke to my mum this evening in the end. She said she remembered having a similar thing around my age so hopefully it's the same thing. I'll keep you guys posted... xxx

Hi Mumabird,

I am glad to hear that you have now spoken to your mum and I'm sure that she will be a great support for you. I'm sure that it will also be very helpful having a retired GP in your corner, as you travel this journey. Here's hoping that your have the same problem as your mum had all those years ago and that it's nothing to be concerned about.

Do please keep us posted.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mamabird and everyone on this forum.

I too have been reading over the whole thread and send my love to all of you on your journeys  xxx

I have had a weird rectangular almost lump above my right nipple area for a couple of months. It’s about 3 cm across. The skin is puckered around it and so went to the GP today. I asked her whether it could be stretch marks as I am losing quite a lot of weight at the moment but she said that it wasn’t that. It’s been since my weight has dropped (unintentionally) that you can visibly see the lump as my boobs have pretty much disappeared. 
she said she was concerned about the puckering and my weight and so have been referred. About 30 mins after the appt, I got a text to say “further to our appt, please stop your HRT immediately”  Can I ask, is this normal? I’m 47 and a lone parent carer to my son who is disabled and also my mother, when he is at school. I have no support and am trying desperately not to consult Dr Google, as I know where all paths lead there.

I am in Surrey and was told they no longer do an urgent or non urgent referral to the breast clinic. They see everyone within 2 weeks? 
I’m sorry to gatecrash the post! 
I guess it’s the waiting for an appt that is doing my nut in. 
From reading here, I can see that you all have been through it or are going through the wait. How to stay sane? 
lots of love to you all xxx

Hi Ivy, sorry to hear about your lump and other symptoms, fingers crossed whatever it is can be sorted ASAP. I know you haven't got a diagnosis yet but just in case I know Macmillan have support available for people who have caring responsibilities,  it's definitely extra stress that you don't need! I finally got a call about my appointment today, it isn't until 28th November, my local hospital is a three week wait as standard now apparently as they are so over subscribed, which obviously isn't brilliant. Anyway, I hope your wait isn't as long as mine, no real advice other than try to keep busy (which it sounds like you probably are anyway...) xxx

Hi ivy,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you're here.

Cancer feeds on hormones, which is why you've been advised to stop taking your HRT. It sounds as if you already have your hands full with your son and your mum. You are doing the right thing by getting this investigated and also by steering clear of google. Much of the information is based on the more spectacular cases, is inappropriate to you, won't give you any answers and will scare you even further. They don't necessarily see everyone within 2 weeks. You will usually get your appointment date through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, but you may have to wait a further week or two for the actual appointment date, in some areas. 

Most of us who have been through cancer would agree that waiting in limbo like this, is one of the worst parts of our cancer journey.  Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you have an answer.

Try to keep yourself preoccupied with work or pleasure, just to try and take your mind off the wait. I sincerely hope that your appointment comes through soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi ivy,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you're here.

Cancer feeds on hormones, which is why you've been advised to stop taking your HRT. It sounds as if you already have your hands full with your son and your mum. You are doing the right thing by getting this investigated and also by steering clear of google. Much of the information is based on the more spectacular cases, is inappropriate to you, won't give you any answers and will scare you even further. They don't necessarily see everyone within 2 weeks. You will usually get your appointment date through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, but you may have to wait a further week or two for the actual appointment date, in some areas. 

Most of us who have been through cancer would agree that waiting in limbo like this, is one of the worst parts of our cancer journey.  Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you have an answer.

Try to keep yourself preoccupied with work or pleasure, just to try and take your mind off the wait. I sincerely hope that your appointment comes through soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine and thank you :) 

That makes sense about the HRT. I’m not going to take anymore until I get some more info at the appointment, hopefully in the not too distant future. 
BBC iplayer have uploaded loads of Dr Who episodes and I’m a bit of a nerd, so I think that is what I am going to binge watch to get through the wait! 
thanks again xxx

Hi Ivy,

Dr Who sounds like the ideal thing to binge watch on. I have just read your reply to GoonerGirl - ignore your paranoid head. Getting an appointment quickly has no significance, as far as your possible outcome is concerned.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello Ivy ,having an appointment quickly is brilliant.I was seen in July last year and had surgery in September,which I thought was pretty efficient. Welsh NHS been excellent.Good luck and keep up the positive vibes xx

Thanks so much! Trying to keep up the positive vibes :)

The hospital just called and I go next Thursday 23rd at 9.50. She said that I was referred under the 2 week rule so they will do the tests and tell me the results on the day. After reading experiences on here, I assume she means a 'rough idea' rather than actual results. Unless of course, it is something routine and not to worry about.

Thank you for all the supportive replies. I will be watching Dr Who for a week and having lots of baths. I hope everyone is having a good day today. The sun is out here in Surrey, which is a lovely change from the rain we have had.

Sending love to you all and thank you for this forum and the lovely ladies in it 

xxx

Hi Ivy,

I'm delighted to hear that you've got your appointment now. I suspect that you're right, as you are likely to have to wait for definite results, if you need a biopsy. Let's hope that this is something routine and nothing to worry about. Enjoy your baths and your Dr Who.

Unfortunately, we're dull and rainy up north and we're just waiting for all this heavy snow that's forecast.

Please let us know how you fare on Thursday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Great news Ivy , fingers crossed all will be well . Enjoy the nice weather ,sunny and cold with us . Keep in touch xx

Hi Ivy,

that’s great news, similar to myself my appointment was a week after my GP appointment so it’s good you don’t have to wait too long, less time to worry and sit in Limbo.

I doubt they would be able to tell you anything definitive at your appointment unless (fingers crossed) it’s nothing to worry about. If they do a biopsy it can take around 2 weeks to get the results back. At my appointment they told me it wasn’t looking good but couldn’t say anything for certain until they had my biopsy results back, however I think if all looks ok and they don’t have any concerns they will tell you then and there. All I will say is even if you do need a biopsy try not to think the worst, they will do one even if it’s just the slightest chance so the odds will still be in your favour.

the waiting game is awful, even though my news was bad I still felt enormous relief at the fact I new for certain.

I was bad and googled everything possible 10x over so it’s definitely better not to, so many things vary person to person too so better not to read anything.

I would just try to keep as “normal” as you possibly can and take time for yourself, watching tv, a book, or going for a nice walk or few drinks/coffee with friends will help to pass time.

if you need anything we are all here, I find it definitely helped talking to people going through the same wait and experiences.

sending lots of love xx

Hi Ivy,

im really pleased to hear that you have an appointment. The waiting is always the worst part, so keep yourself busy, as everyone else has said. We are all here for you when you want to chat.

I didn’t get the results on the day, but did know that I had 2 lesions as they carried out biopsies in 2 positions. I got the results at an appointment with the consultant about a weeks later.

Back to rain in Surrey tomorrow , so it may be a Dr Who day! xx

Thank you all :) xxx

I'm happy that in a weeks time, I will know more of what is going on. Most of the time, I convince myself that it is a cyst and it's only when I get dressed and catch a glimpse in the mirror that I get the willies. The puckering around the lump is quite a lot and its right above my nipple so not hard to miss. I thought it was stretch marks, as it looks a bit like that or it did. I can see that it isn't now and that is bothering me.

I hate to admit it but I have been googling :( I know that I shouldn't. It's like an obsession to find a pic of someone who has the same looking boob and it turned out to be ok. I need to stop doing that! I'm sure that it is going to be nothing but I guess there is that little doubt there which like to take up brain space.

I hope you all are having good days :) xxx

Hi, 

the waiting is very much like a rollercoaster, one day I was positive it was nothing the next I was doom and gloom lol, not too long for you to wait though.

I had puckering on my breast, it was also close to the nipple, mine was just below my left nipple but turns out it’s only around 1cm behind it.

I was the same everything I seen with regards to any puckering indicated cancer, but it’s normally only those stories you see so try not to think the worst until you actually have some answers or advice after you’ve been seen.

I really hope the wait isn’t too bad for you and wishing the time goes quickly x