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Weird Breast Changes

cheryl71
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Hi - just need reassurance

I am on HRT, surgical menopause and have been for over 20 years.  My first Cyst was roughly 14 years ago .. since then I have chains of the little mites that come and go with no timescale or cyclical behaviour.

Anyway about 4 years ago I went to the breast clinic concerned for one in my right breast - but there concern was one in my left breast (which I didn't even know was there!). It was biopsied and they just said that it was fibrous tissue.

I moved out of the area and then September last year I had a routine mammogram - I received a letter saying it was all clear.  Never occurred to me that they never mentioned about my cyster buddies!

At the end of October I went to the DRs as I felt another cyst and just wanted their 'its ok' and to proceed with life - they told me to come back if it didn't go away ... It didn't and I have just basically ignored it - at the weekend I mentioned to my husband that there was like a thumb print dimple above my nipple but no lump underneath it - it just feels like fibrous tissue - observed for a few days then bit the bullet and went back to the GP - I did say to them that I really didn't think it was anything - she thoroughly examined me - including my arm pits - in a way that I have never done before ... she said its probably nothing but should probably be referred to the breast clinic on the 2WW pathway .. I came out quite positive that nothing was wrong and just a routine process - I've been there before and worried myself sick and I'm not going down that road again! The appointment came through literally within 1 hour - for next week .. 

Its sent my head in a spin and then I have felt under my arms and I can feel a mass there - Now I am really panicking - doesn't help that I'm an oncology clinical research scientist - too much knowledge is a bad thing .... I'm scared ...

  • Hello Cheryl71

    I'm sorry to hear that you've got some new concerns about your breast health. You did exactly the right thing in seeing your GP and it's good to hear that you've been referred to have things checked further. 

    It's understandable that you're feeling worried, and yes you're right that sometimes knowledge can be a bad thing in these situations. It might help you to know that the vast majority of people who attend breast clinics are not diagnosed with cancer so statistically the odds are favourable. 

    You mentioned in your post that you moved out of the area that you had previously lived in. I presume that this means you've also changed GP and local hospitals? It may simply be that because this GP isn't familiar with your breast health they've referred you to the specialists as a precaution and of course, different hospitals can have different booking procedures so this may account for the speed of your appointment. Try not to read too much into this. 

    If you think it may help to talk things through with one of our nurses ahead of your appointment you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. I'm sure they will be happy to offer any advice, information, and support they can. 

    Keep in touch Cheryl71 and let us know how you get on next week. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline

    Hi Cheryl.

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    You have done the right thing by getting your symptoms checked out, even though this is a worrying time. Too much knowledge really is a bad thing in this case. I was in a similar position 14 years ago. I had a lumpectomy and was told that my cancer was not aggressive - Pure Mucinous, so you can imagine my surprise when I found a second cancer, the year after my original surgery. This dented my positivity for a while. I am sure that you are aware that only 20% of those who attend the breast clinic, get a cancer diagnosis and, I sincerely hope that you'll be one of the lucky ones.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thanks Jolamine

    Thank you for sharing your story and experience, I really appreciate it. You sound like you had a tough time.

    i will let you know - I’ll be honest I’m absolutely petrified- I know that there is a very low chance but common sense is not talking to my brain and I am soo anxious. 

    Only 4 more days to go …. 

  • Offline in reply to cheryl71

    Hi Cheryl,

    The unknown is the hardest to deal with and our over active imaginations tend to go into overdrive, taking us to all sorts of dark places. Common sense goes out of the window, as soon as we're referred to the breast clinic. All I can say, is that irrespective of the outcome, it gets easier, once you know exactly what you are dealing with.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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