Breast lump & Armpit swelling - waiting for breast clinic appointment. Wanting to talk to someone who understands the worry and can make me feel better

Hello, im just looking for some support/advice i guess.

I had a pain in my right breast about 4 weeks ago so had a feel and noticed a lump and a thickening. My period was due within the week so i thought it must be due to that. After my period it was still there but as life is busy (mum of 5) i forgot about it until about another week later when i checked again and was sure there was definitely a different area on my breast. I saw the gp who said she could feel it and would refer me to the breast clinic and the appointment would be within 2 weeks.

2 days later i got the appointment for another 2 weeks time (so 16 days from the gp referral). Whilst on the app viewing my appointment i saw the referral letter and it said suspected breast cancer due to my age (43) and a new lump. I panicked at that a little but thought that must be what they write for the 2 week appointments.

Anyway several days have passed and last night i noticed quite a large swelling in my armpit on the same side. Its definitely different to the other armpit and is visible aswel as feel-able. This had made me panic even more and im just wanting to talk to anybody who understands the worry and can make me feel better in any way so i dont spend the next 11 days worrying excessively. Should i make the gp aware of the new symptom with the armpit swelling or just wait for the breast clinic appointment?

Thanks in advance for any replies x

  • Welcome to the Cancer Chat forum Jane, although I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and the anxious wait you now have for your breast clinic appointment.

    Our members know how scary and stressful this time can be, so you are not alone Jane, and hopefully you will receive some words of reassurance, and advice, from the community soon.

    You can also have a quick chat with one of our cancer nurses if you like. They're available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m on 0808 800 4040 and they will do all they can to answer your questions and put your mind at ease whilst you wait to be seen.

    I hope this guide we have on how to cope with the wait will help to settle your nerves as well, but in the meantime we're sending you our support and wishing you all the best at the breast clinic. We'll have our fingers crossed everything will be o.k.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi janelovestorun

    just wondering how you got on today? Hope it was positive news for you xx 

  • Hi thankyou for your message. It wasnt a great experience to be honest. The doctor i saw was quite bad natured and rude and i felt very rushed and dismissed. He examined me briefly and said he couldnt feel anything but he marked where i could with a pen and said i would have a mammogram and a scan. I had the mammogram then he called me back in and said it was fine and i could go. He gave me a leaflet on getting to know your breasts, which as a 43 year old mother of 5 i found quite condescending he said it could just be normal for me, i tried to say this isnt normal for me thats why i went to the GP but he just dismissed me. I dont know what to feel. I mean im relieved the mammogram didnt show anything but i would have felt more reassured if i had the scan too like he initially said and there waa an explanation for it, whether it be that it was a cyst or whatever. The radiographer was lovely who did my mammogram was lovely and asked if i had anybody with me so i thought she had seen something. The nurse who chaperoned the doctor was also lovely and i was in and out in about 45 minutes which was quicker than i expected. I guess il just try to relax now and if anything else crops up or changes pop back to the GP x

  • Thankyou so much, im sorry ive just seen your response Steph x