Hi Beffanio,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself in this awful position. Not all lumps are malignant. Many turn out to be benign cysts, fibrous or hormonal changes. It is a fact that 80% of the people who attend the breast clinic get the all clear and only 20% get a cancer diagnosis. I am not a doctor, but as I understand it, the likelihood of developing breast cancer from generation to generation is only really an issue when it isa direct relative, like a mother or grandmother. 

The wait is always a struggle emotionally and our over-active imaginations tend to take us to all sorts of dark places. You may well find that your emotions are all over the place and you may find yourself crying a lot. If this happens, rest assured that these are perfectly normal reactions, and crying is really a good stress reliever. I am sorry to hear of your blood cancer - can I ask when you were first diagnosed with this?

There is no need to feel lonely, now that you have found this forum. We  are all a very supportive bunch and we know only too well the toll that waiting to be seen takes. most of us find that our thoughts immediately hone in on our children  when faced with the possibility of a cancer diagnosis. Treatments have made tremendous strides forward in recent years and the chances are that, even if it does turn out to be cancer, you'll still be hereto see your children reach all of the usual milestones.

I myself lost my mum to secondary breast cancer and have since had 2 bouts myself. I was diagnosed 14 years ago and since then, I have seen my 2 children leave school, go to university, graduate, find gainful employment, marry and provide me with 2 wonderful granddaughters. I still live life to the full.

I am glad to see that your appointment is soon. You will feel better once you know what you are dealing with.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx