I could have written this myself. 
I noticed a lump while showering but honestly I'm really prone to cysts so didn't think much of it. Couple of weeks later it's still there do I went to the doctor yesterday and I got my referral appointment today. I don't really have anyone to chat to about my worries. My husband is great but my best friend had cancer and I feel like I don't want to upset her. 
I'm also really anxious to speak to my boss as I'm due in work when my appointment is

Hi KTTurner,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself in this unenviable situation too. You have done the right thing in getting this investigated. When is your breast clinic appointment for? Hopefully, if you are  prone to cysts, this is just another one.

Theres always someone here who knows the agonies you are going through, as they have experienced them for themselves, so don't hesitate to chat about your worries. It sounds as if you are doing what we all tend to do and trying to deal with everything at once. Try to cope with one problem at a time - you'll find that enough to manage at the moment. 

It is a known fact that only 1 person in ever 8 referred to the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis, so here's hoping that you'll be one of the lucky ones. Please keep in touch and let uknow how you get on. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say hello after reading the entire thread. I went to my GP a week ago as I thought I felt something on the left side beneath my nipple. I didn't think it felt like a lump at the time as such, more like a small bump..I honestly thought I was wasting his time and that I'd be sent away. I suffer with health anxiety and I'm constantly checking my body, moles as well, fearing cancer the most.

Anyway to my horror he told me he could feel what I could feel and has referred me to the breast clinic on Wednesday. To say I'm terrified is an understatement. I can't think about anything else and I've been poking and prodding so much to the point of obsession. I've made my skin all red.

The more I feel, it feels like a smooth oval bump that's squishy when I press it and it moves around when I press it. It almost feels blister like...  It's only small, less than 1cm.

I'm 35 and it's my birthday on Monday, so almost 36. I feel like I won't enjoy my birthday at all worrying about this. 

The Dr i saw was quite serious and not reassuring which worried me. I also had to have an urgent blood test, is this common? 

Im so stressed 

Louise X 

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say hello after reading the entire thread. I went to my GP a week ago as I thought I felt something on the left side beneath my nipple. I didn't think it felt like a lump at the time as such, more like a small bump..I honestly thought I was wasting his time and that I'd be sent away. I suffer with health anxiety and I'm constantly checking my body, moles as well, fearing cancer the most.

Anyway to my horror he told me he could feel what I could feel and has referred me to the breast clinic on Wednesday. To say I'm terrified is an understatement. I can't think about anything else and I've been poking and prodding so much to the point of obsession. I've made my skin all red.

The more I feel, it feels like a smooth oval bump that's squishy when I press it and it moves around when I press it. It almost feels blister like...  It's only small, less than 1cm.

I'm 35 and it's my birthday on Monday, so almost 36. I feel like I won't enjoy my birthday at all worrying about this. 

The Dr i saw was quite serious and not reassuring which worried me. I also had to have an urgent blood test, is this common? 

Im so stressed 

Louise X 

Hi Louise,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the anxiety that these are causing you. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, hormonal or fibrous changes . Most cancerous lumps tend to be fixed and have ragged edges. It is also a fact that only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis, so try not to worry.

Try not to poke about too much. You will only succeed in making the area more painful and then manage to convince yourself that things are worse than they actually are. Keep telling yourself that "it isn't cancer until you're told that it's cancer". Doctors will often carry out a blood test to check for any other possible related prblems. 

You have done the right thing by getting this investigated and I hope that it all turns out well.  It is good that you don't have too long to wait for your referral, as this is always a worrying time. Try to keep yourself busy, as this helps the time to pass.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. I really appreciate it. I'm taking solace in the fact that it's very soft, squishy and moves around.. but I keep swinging between emotions. 

I'm also worrying as I have no idea how long it's been there, you really have to press quite firmly to feel it as it's not obvious. So I keep panicking that it's been there ages and I've not realised. 

Louise X 

Hi  Louise,

I am not a doctor but the way that you've described the lump sounds hopeful. It is only natural for you to swing between emotions - most of us do this. If you are finding it difficult to locate the lump, this also sounds hopeful that you have caught it early, so try not to give too much rein to your imagination.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi,

I just wanted to update the thread incase it helps someone in the future. My lump is a cyst, so relieved. Apparently I have a few of them and didn't know it. Really glad I got it checked out though. The one I can feel is small at 7mm so they said they would leave it and if it gets bigger in the future or causes issues they can then drain it. Relief is not the word! 

Louise X 

Hi Louise,

Thank you for the update. I am absolutely delighted to hear that you are cancer free and that your lump is just some small benign cysts. I am sure that you feel mightily relieved.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much x 

Hi

I had been experiencing pain in my left boob/ nipple for a couple of weeks when I finally got a gp app.

There is also a lump in my armpit which is also quite painful when touched.

She said she would refer but it will take months to get seen ? I'm only 28 with 2 kids. My youngest being 7 months and I am so scared and anxious and now to have to wait months for an app.

Has anyone went private. I have been googling private places but most won't see under 40.

So scared and stressed 

Hi Miss Livi,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about the wait that you're having to be seen at the breast clinic. Younger people often have problems in getting referred in the first place, because they are less likely to have cancer. Most people are referred under the ugrent 2 week pathway. It sounds as if your GP hasn't done this and that yours is just a regular referral, which can take some time. 

Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, hormonal or fibrous changes. It is a fact that only 1 person in every 8 who do attend the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis. You can sometimes get your first appointment sooner by going private, but there can then be a delay in getting back to the NHS for treatment if needed. You are quite likely to see the same surgeon in the private as well as the NHS setting.  Why don't you phone your GP and ask if she can refer you under the 2 week pathway?

If you know which consultant she has referred you to, you could also phone their secretary and say that you are willing to take a cancellation. The hospital switchboard will put you through if you don't have the telephone number..

I know that this is a worrying time. Try to keep yourself busy during this wait - it helps to make the time pass a little quicker.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I called this morning to find out my referral just got done on Friday 4 weeks after my initial app.

Beyond angry with the Dr and very stressed now even more. 

She gave me rhe hospital contact which would be the one I would be going too .

Called the hospital and they said it will be a few months as it is so busy.

Hard not to worry when got 2 young kids and on mat leave so spend days at home and find myself crying qlot while my oldest is at school xx

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear of the delay in sending your referral - this is unacceptable. I am glad to hear that you called the hospital, even if they didn't give you any good news about waiting times. Did you ask them to put you on the cancellation list? This can  be helpful in getting you seen sooner, as a number of patients are cancelling due to having Covid.

Don't worry about crying so much. Most of us find ourselves in the same situation whilst waiting.  Crying a lot is not such a bad thing, as it helps to relieve some of the tension you are under. You will find it easier to cope once you get a diagnosis and know what you are dealing with.

Kind regards,

JOlamine xx