Swollen left breast with lump

Hi all, sorry if this is a long post but I’m terrified. I am 42 and  2 months ago my period was 15 days late which i put down to being in perimenopause in that time my left nipple was quite painful on the run up, my period did come and all was fine fast forward to the following month my period arrived on time last Saturday and lasted around 5 days on the run up to that period I started to feel tingle sensations in my left breast and since my period ended I noticed my left breast has swollen feels tingly and has burning pain in the breast itself and nipple. I then went on a sunbed which I know isn’t good for you but was to try and get a base tan for holiday and when I got off I noticed a strange looking skin mark on my left breast I felt it and I could feel a lump which is on the inner quarter of my breast about 4cm away from the nipple, my breast feels hot to touch and have had shooting pains on and off, also my tail of spence area has swollen, I seen my gp yesterday who has straight away referred me to the breast clinic and now I’m up the wall with worry, I have family history of breast cancer my mum was diagnosed at 55 with Hormonal cancer behind her nipple I’m so scared I can’t eat or sleep

  • Keep us updated. Good luck. Call the helpline 0808 800 4040 to speak with a nurse this week. It re opens early Tuesday morning so you might want to call then. You can do this. 

  • HI Becki3,

    A very warm welcome to the forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. You have done the right thing by getting them investigated. Try not to panic (difficult, I know!). Not all breast lumps are cancerous - many turn out to be benign cysts or fibroadenoma. Only 20% of those referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis. I am sorry to hear that your mum had hormonal cancer. I know how scary this can be, because I lost my own mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her brain, bones, liver and lungs.

    You should get an appointment date within 2 weeks from the date of your GP's referral. Try to keep yourself busy in the interim - it doesn't matter whether this is with work or pleasure - anything to take your mind off the wait. Avoid the temptation to investigate in Google. Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This won't give you any answers, but is sure to scare you even further.

    I sincerely hope that all turns out well for you. Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx