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Very scared - found lump under nipple

Gemmalou
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Hello,

I don’t really know why I have now chosen to post here, but I am so scared of having cancer. This is something that has always scared me due to a number of friends of all ages getting diagnosed.

Because of my fear, I thought that I was very good at noticing changes in my body much to my doctor’s annoyance and even to the point that this year I was referred to counselling.

But just over 2 weeks ago, my left nipple was really sore and just thought I’m not going to worry about it because it’s probably just a normal hormonal breast pain. But then it hurt more so I decided to feel my nipple. I check my breasts once a month for any changes, but I didn’t actually think of checking my nipple for lumps too. This is when I felt a lump under my nipple that hurt when I touched it. Also my left armpit had been a little bit sore, but again I thought that this is normal because I did have a spot like thing come up in the same armpit a few weeks before which made my armpit hurt.

The next day, I went to my doctor and said I’m not worrying about it too much as I know you say that I’m very anxious and I didn’t want to go into the new year being the same. I was hoping that she was going to say yep it’s an infection, but she felt me and said that she was going to refer me to the breast clinic and she didn’t say what it could be. This scared me but it didn’t scare me as much as picking up the referral letter that says ‘suspected breast cancer’. My nipple doesn’t hurt anymore but the lump is still there and my armpit still hurts and feels like there’s something there that shouldn’t be but I can’t feel a lump in my armpit and the pain travels down the inner side of my arm and my whole left side of my chest just feels a little achy.

I’ve just turned 27 and I’ve never had children and am quite healthy on the whole. How can this be happening to me? Why didn’t I check my nipple area when I did my monthly checks? 

I have my breast clinic appointment on Monday and I just want to know what is wrong with me. 

I think I just needed to post on here to let it out even if I don’t get a reply.

Gemma 

  • Offline in reply to Gemmalou

    It said it at the bottom urgent refural 2 week if suspect cancer x

  • Offline

    Hi Gemmalou,

    Sorry you've had need to join us but welcome.

    First thing I want to say is stop beating yourself up.  You've done the right thing going to your GP and you do examine yourself monthly so you are doing everything you can.  None of us are perfect and it's not like we grow up with someone physically showing us how to check ourselves.  Photos are useful but nothing beats watching how your doctor examines you, even then it isn't as easy to do that on yourself as by moving one arm to do the checking you are altering the position of parts of your body.

    I know it's hard but please try not to worry.  Breast clinics are not just there for cancer, they are able to diagnose other conditions of the breast.  You have had a change in a lump so your GP has done the right thing referring you to the breast clinic, but that doesn't mean they necessarily think you have cancer, rather that they need to rule it out.  Your GP needs to write something on the referral form and, obviously, the reason you are being referred is 'breast cancer', I mean if they could be sure it was something like fibroadenoma they would have no need to refer you, but the GP doesn't have that expertise so the reason you are being referred is "breast cancer" but it could be the ruling out rather than the ruling IN of that diagnosis! I hope that makes sense, sorry if it doesn't, chemo brain!

    In terms of you worrying, the good news is that breast cancer lumps are usually painless.  So hopefully your pain means it is something else.

    You don't have long to wait now but I realise it will feel like forever!  Please let us know how you get on.

    LJ

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    Thank you so much Twin Two for making me feel better about the words that I had read! I really hope that everything is OK with you and with you saying ‘chemo brain’ makes me think that you have had the confirmation that you have it and you can beat this terrible thing! Be strong and lots of love!! Xx

  • Offline in reply to Jadeh1992

     

    Hi Jadeh,

    I just want to wish you all the best for Monday's appointment. You are not likely to get a diagnosis tomorrow, as you normally have some tests and then have about another week to wait for the results.

    Please let us know the outcome. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Gemmalou

    Thanks Gemmalou,

    My situation was very different to yours so don't let my diagnosis worry you but I am quite far into my breast cancer journey now.  I'm not curable but am treatable.

    Will keep you in mind tomorrow, hope everything goes well.

    LJx

     

  • Offline in reply to Gemmalou

     

    Hi Gemmalou,

    I just want to wish you all the best for Monday's appointment. You are not likely to get a diagnosis tomorrow, as you normally have some tests and then have about another week to wait for the results.

    Please let us know the outcome. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi everyone,

     

    Thank you all for your support and replies.

    i have been to the clinic and had an ultrasound and they said I have extra breast tissue that sound that goes up into my armpit so there was no need to worry and they didn’t think that I should have been referred by my doctor.

    Im so pleased- but feel for anyone going through such an experience. 

    i wish you all the very best on all of your journeys.

     

    thank you again! 

  • Offline in reply to Gemmalou
    Hi Gemmalou, This is fantastic news. Your doctor is better to refer you than not to. We hear of so many cases where cancer has been missed/overlooked, so you are always better safe than sorry. That's 3 posts in a row, who were all clear today. I've not come across this in all my years on this forum - it really has made my day! Jolamine xx

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