Breast shrinking worries

So I just got a red flag referral to the breast clinic yesterday and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I always thought breast cancer would cause a breast to appear larger, but since discovering a lump last week my breast seems to have shrunk with noticeably less breast tissue in it. The GP really didn't react at all - I think she was trying to keep me from worrying, and didn't address the issue of the breast shrinking, although did notice it was smaller (it isn't usually). I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has had just one breast shrink and wondering if it means anything?

I'm also worried as she said that referrals are taking a while, so although I'm red flagged (2ww) I might not hear from the hospital until after Christmas and it could be 6 weeks before I'm seen! I'm trying so hard not to overthink it, but waking at 2am and not getting back to sleep until about 5 when I have to get up for work at 7 is draining and I don't know if I can maintain that for 6 weeks!

Words of advice or shared experiences would be most welcome :)

  • Hi Gnomes83,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I can understand your concerns - it's never easy dealing with this sort of uncertainty and waiting for appointments.

    It's much easier said than done, but try not to assume anything at this point - instead focus on taking things a day at a time, keeping busy and doing things you enjoy, to help take your mind off any worries.

    Hopefully the appointment will be soon and you'll get the information you need.

    There will be many others here who have experienced something similar, so hopefully you'll get some more replies.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Ben,

    Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Thankfully I got a good night's sleep last night and feel much more optimistic today. Reading the chats on here and seeing all the positive stories too has helped me relax a bit...even if it is the scariest diagnosis, it seems that an early diagnosis makes the whole experience much more manageable.

    Thanks again and here's to positive thinking!

  • I feel the same tbh! you don't realise but the cancers that are picked up in clinic seem to be early. I've read somewhere stage 1 or 2 is the majority. We're lucky to have the resources really. got my referral a week tomorrow x

  • Hi gnome 

    if it’s getting you really stressed I would book a private appointment that’s what I did you will be seen and investigated within days of booking good luck love Lara xx 

  • Yay! So glad your appointment came through. Fingers crossed it all goes well xx

  • Hi Lara,

    I considered a private appointment originally when my anxiety was through the roof, but I'm feeling a lot more positive today, thankfully! I might consider it if the appointment date is really delayed for some reason, but hopefully they are starting to meet targets soon!

    Xx

  • Gnomes 

    that’s good news if they are catching up I wish you well lovely xx 

  • Thanks so much Lara :) I hope things went ok with your scan. Was it hard to get back onto NHS after the initial investigations or did you decide to stay private? Xx

  • I stayed private lovely after initially paying first appointment claimed the rest on my private medical insurance had 2 operations and radiotherapy through that highly recommended was treated like a princess in all fairness x 

  • Amazing to be able to do it style! I've heard they really look after you in the private sector. We lived in the States for years and the care was incredible, albeit pricey enough to make you weep! Unfortunately we don't have health insurance here so wouldn't be able to afford to go private for the whole journey if it leads that way. I'm still hoping it's benign or a cyst or something though...positive thoughts only right now :)

    How are you doing after all the treatment? My mum had breast cancer and the radiation really took it out of her but not sure if that is everyone's experience xx