Had ultra sound and Biopsy and Told Breast Cancer before even having results back!!

Hi all...

I feel like I'm going mad...

I found a lump in my left breast around 16 days ago 3 days before I went to Spain I thought it was a fatty lump or due to a period I was on I went to Spain thinking it would go down, on my return it was still there. I saw my GP on return and he referred me instantly on the 10 day pathway although he was pretty sure it was innocent too.

I went to the clinic on Saturday saw a consultant who wasn't very nice initially, she lectured me on being an ex smoker and being a vaper now and told me she believes vaping is just as bad despite my nicotine intake being 3% instead of 20% anyway after she felt my lump she said it felt innocent but would send me for a scan. 

I went for a scan and they instantly said it wasn't a fatty lump they wanted to take a biopsy. I was quite shocked but said that's fine whatever needed to be done, I asked her is this definitely not a fat lump then? She said I'm so sorry but it's really not that. She gave me an envelope and I took it back to the consultant.

She called me in and apologised for her first thought of it being a fatty lump (feel like I'm repeating myself) she said I'm afraid it's cancer I said it can't be I'm only 38 and I've got 4 kids I'm far too busy for all of this. She said we need to wait for the results of the biopsy but it's treatable and you've done the right thing coming when you did. There are no lumps in your lumph nodes which is positive we will know a much better treatment plan in 10 days time.

I feel like the whole thing has been a dream and this isn't happening to me, I have a nightmare of a 14 year old navigating her way through teenage years and 3 other children under 6 I don't know how we will get through this. Equally I have no idea how the consultant can know so much without biopsy results?? 

Has anyone been diagnosed before biopsy results? Do ultra sounds really show up that much information.

Thank-you for reading this far xx

  • Welcome to the forum Drbyshr86 although I'm sorry for the reason you're joining us.

    Being told this must, understandably, have come as quite a shock but hopefully the biopsy results will be back soon and you can get some clarification on this.

    I do hope some of our members who have found themselves in a similar position will share their experiences and advice with you soon, but if you'd like to talk any of this through with one of our cancer nurses, you can give them a call on 0808 800 4040. Their helpline is open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they will do all they can to answer your questions and hopefully put your mind at ease whilst you wait to find out more.

    I know this must be an incredibly stressful and anxious time Drbyshr86, but the Cancer Chat community are here for you and will do all they can to support you.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • it is certainly surreal and in answer to your question about being diagnosed before biopsy results.  I went to my GP and got a 2 week referral for a lump, indentation and nipple change of direction.   I thought it would be another cyst as I went in January, went to Breast Clinic on 3rd July and had ultrasound/mammogram and had a large cyst drained.  Mammogram and ultrasound were all clear). This time the appointment went from 0-100, ultrasounds/mammograms/biopsy and titanium clip 'markers' put in if surgery is needed. (I've done another thread about all that I went through). The consultant told me to expect a cancer diagnosis and that they would look after me but they would know more when biopsy results are in and said I would be having an MRI.  Having the MRI in the morning and next appointment with consultant in on Tuesday.  The consultant is very experienced and when I have phoned the breast nurses since (as I didn't know exactly what it was that they had seen) they said it is a 30mm lesion.  

    The waiting really is torturous and it is so hard not to let your mind think anything and everything, especially with your children.  I find it helps to try and concentrate on what I do know. I haven't told my children or anyone else yet as I want to tell them facts/treatment plan.   It's hard but I want to sweeten the blow when I do tell them and give them (and probably myself) some hope and positivity.  Everyone is different though.  Sending much love and your nightmare 14 year old will be your best friend/biggest defender in the future x