Hi [@Jadeh1992]‍ and [@WorriedMummyOf2]‍ ,

The joys of youth, our everchanging bodies giving us stress.  Obviously you can have breast cancer in your 20s but hopefully in both of your cases the fact that you are now getting a referral is going to be down to the natural changes in your breast as you are ageing.  Unfortunately fibroadenoma is common and I had suspect lumps needing checked out from the age of 17 (worrying because my mum first had breast cancer at a young age).  My first breast clinic referral was at 17 but after that my GP was able to just check me and put new lumps down to the fibroadenomas.  In my mid to late 20s the lumpswere a bit different so did tend to result in a referral to the breast clinic rather than my GP deciding what it was.  The way I looked at it was just that the changes were enough that it was harder for the GP (non-specialist) to be sure, where a breast specialist would have been sure.  They still all came back as being down to fibroadenoma.

I really hope that this is the case for both of you.  It is scary when they first say "got to refer you" rather than just going "fibroadenoma again" but actually it's better for you, it means you will be thoroughly assessed by someone for whom this is literally their job.

Fingers crossed it's just natural changes in your bodies as us poor women do get lots of breast changes through our 20s.

Best wishes,

LJ

Hi [@Jadeh1992]‍ and [@WorriedMummyOf2]‍ ,

The joys of youth, our everchanging bodies giving us stress.  Obviously you can have breast cancer in your 20s but hopefully in both of your cases the fact that you are now getting a referral is going to be down to the natural changes in your breast as you are ageing.  Unfortunately fibroadenoma is common and I had suspect lumps needing checked out from the age of 17 (worrying because my mum first had breast cancer at a young age).  My first breast clinic referral was at 17 but after that my GP was able to just check me and put new lumps down to the fibroadenomas.  In my mid to late 20s the lumpswere a bit different so did tend to result in a referral to the breast clinic rather than my GP deciding what it was.  The way I looked at it was just that the changes were enough that it was harder for the GP (non-specialist) to be sure, where a breast specialist would have been sure.  They still all came back as being down to fibroadenoma.

I really hope that this is the case for both of you.  It is scary when they first say "got to refer you" rather than just going "fibroadenoma again" but actually it's better for you, it means you will be thoroughly assessed by someone for whom this is literally their job.

Fingers crossed it's just natural changes in your bodies as us poor women do get lots of breast changes through our 20s.

Best wishes,

LJ

Thank you so much! I absolutely agree with you. I’m sorry to hear you’ve dealt with similar yourself. And I also pray to hear the word ‘fibroadenoma’! I’m actually surprised how common the little buggers are! And yes, just like you said, it is so much better to be checked by someone who’s job is in that specific field. Im also hoping having my second baby just twelve months ago has made them ‘flare up’! Thank you for your helpful comment and I wish you nothing but the best x