Left breast concern, HELP

I've recently noticed an area of firmness below the nipple region of my breast. . Depending  on how I'm lying I can feel it easier than at other times.my breast feels warmer than the other and tender but that could be because I keep touching it .

It's not a lump I can get the area affected between two fingers and it feels like ropey ,glands. 

I'm 60, and have had regular mammograms since 35 due to family history of breast. Cancer 

I'm going on holiday to France tomorrow and can't get a GP appointment what should I do?

All advice gratefully received 

Bee 

  • Hello Bee, 

    By now you may be on holiday in France and I am not sure whether you managed to get in touch with your GP before you left. It's worth persevering as if you've noticed any changes in your breasts, it's important to get these checked and examined properly by a medical expert. I am not sure how long you are away for but keep ringing your GP surgery and asking them to arrange an appointment for you so that you are seen as soon as they have an appointment available. I know it may be stressful to have to think about this while you are on holiday but if you can just manage to get that appointment sorted that would be a big weight off your shoulders. 

    It's reassuring that you have been having mammograms regularly since the age of 35 due to your family history. Mention this maybe when you call them to get an appointment, that you have a family history of breast cancer and therefore would like to be seen and have a proper check up. 

    I hope that you will hear from the experiences of others here who have been through this before and that they will be along with some helpful suggestions. 

    Everything crossed that you manage to talk to a doctor very soon about this and that it all turns out to be nothing of concern. Have a wonderful time in France - I hope it's sunny there!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • I eventually got an appointment when I returned from France.

    Things moved quickly after that, and i'm now waiting on the definitive results tomorrow. 

    16 weeks since I first posted, life has been very stressful and I know deep down it's going to get a lot worse.

  • Hi Suzette,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I m sorry that you have had to wait so long for an answer to your symptoms, but glad to hear that you should get this tomorrow. I shall be thinking of you then and hope 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.

  • The news as I expected was not good.

    I have grade 3 invasive cancer with nodes involved. 

     Plan is to have chemo, then surgery 

    The tumour is 5cms and Her 2 positive ,oestrogen negative . 

    I'm in denial.today and have to start telling people but don't feel ready to . 

  • Hi Suzette,

    I am so sorry to hear this. It is not unusual for you to feel in denial. Many of us do at this stage. You will gradually come to terms with your diagnosis, but there is no hurry to tell people until you feel ready to. You will find the more positive you can appear to be about your outcome, the better that your friends and family will take your news.

    Many people have chemo before surgery, in order to reduce the size of the cancer, before your operation. This seems to be effective in a number of cases. We have heard tales of scans taken after chemo treatment, showing no tumour remaining, or of it being reduced in size. Have you been told when you will start chemo?

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Suzette,

    I am so sorry to hear this. It is not unusual for you to feel in denial. Many of us do at this stage. You will gradually come to terms with your diagnosis, but there is no hurry to tell people until you feel ready to. You will find the more positive you can appear to be about your outcome, the better that your friends and family will take your news.

    Many people have chemo before surgery, in order to reduce the size of the cancer, before your operation. This seems to be effective in a number of cases. We have heard tales of scans taken after chemo treatment, showing no tumour remaining, or of it being reduced in size. Have you been told when you will start chemo?

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx