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

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

Thank you and yes, I'm so grateful that it isn't a long wait xxx

When the Dr saw me, she had me bend over quite a few times, in a sitting position and I think it was to see if the puckered skin stayed puckered? Not too sure. I should have asked really but she said that it wasn't stretch marks, which I was convinced it was.

Ah, I will try and stop thinking about it and focus on other things! I am quite a 'cysty' person as I had a Bartholins gland removed because of a cyst and they saw one on my ovary a few years ago. Thank you, you are right xx I remember when I had the biopsy on my saliva gland, all Google wanted to do was tell me I was a goner. I should have learnt from that one really :)

I have a Legs, Bums and Tums class tomorrow so that will distract me. Also the Instructor is a beast, so I will be in agony all weekend with overworked muscles. That will certainly be a distraction! xxx

Hiya i also have this and have been trying to find photos but i cant seem to find any. My areola/nipple keeps pukkering and it feels like my one boob goes tight when its happening. I have my appoitment on monday and ive got a horrible gut feeling more is going on :(

Hi all, sorry I've been really quiet, just trying to be busy whilst waiting for my appointment. I hope those of you with appointments this week get the answers you need. It seems like other parts of the country have shorter wait times so that's good, at least. Hope you are all having an OK weekend (weather here is gross!) X

I'm sorry to hear that you have it too and are also on the hunt for pics! I hope tomorrow goes quickly and you get some answers on Monday, please let us know how it went xxx

I am not convinced mine isn't severe stretch marks despite being told they aren't. Maybe the Doc just hasn't seen quite a deflated pair as mine! I am trying to stay positive as the odds are more in favour of it being ok but it's hard when my family seemed convinced it isn't ok. They are a weird bunch!

Monday is nearly here so wishing you all the best! I hope you get a positive outcome :) xx

I'm sorry to hear that you have it too and are also on the hunt for pics! I hope tomorrow goes quickly and you get some answers on Monday, please let us know how it went xxx

I am not convinced mine isn't severe stretch marks despite being told they aren't. Maybe the Doc just hasn't seen quite a deflated pair as mine! I am trying to stay positive as the odds are more in favour of it being ok but it's hard when my family seemed convinced it isn't ok. They are a weird bunch!

Monday is nearly here so wishing you all the best! I hope you get a positive outcome :) xx