Terrified I may have breast cancer

So I'm a doctor... and a total idiot. I missed my first routine mammogram last year. Went to GP yesterday as my left breast has got bigger, it was sort of getting in the way. It's been a bit achy. To my horror I found a lumpy area and I have a palpable, non-tethered axillary LN on the same side.

I've been referred on two week wait for a Breast Clinic appointment. I'm 48 and I have two daughters aged 16 and 18. I've only been a doctor for five years, trained later in life and have worked as a locum in A&E for the past three years. So I know very little about breast cancer.

My mum had oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer at 72 and is now 78, had lumpectomy, radiotherapy and anastrazole and is now fine.

I've been here before - a cyst in the right breast two years ago and axillary LNs on the left about five years ago. I have dense fibrocystic breasts.  But this feels different and I'm terrified. I don't know how I am going to get through the next two weeks. I'm a single mum and don't have a lot of support. My 18 year old is doing A levels and the younger one is a huge worrier. I'm finding it really difficult to act normal and am spending my time incessantly looking on the internet and have prodded and poked my breast about a hundred times.

I'm so worried, anyone else out there going through this or has a good outcome with similar symptoms?

Thanks in advance

Georgina 

 

  • Just reading through and thought i’d say hi

    I am 44yrs old and a senior nurse, background in ITU and cardiology and now sort out those pesky 4hr waits in A&E

    I had my 2 week appointment last week and I’m due my Lymph node biopsy results on Thursday, I’m been waiting 5 days for urgent CT chest/Abdo/pelvis, frustrating as I could organise one for any patient within hours!

    I too know nothing about cancer but unfortunately like you know enough of the “system” to scare myself silly. I’ve got most possibilities planned in my head.

    My son turned 7, two days before my clinic appointment, I worry I won’t be around for his 8th.

    Just wanted to say your not alone, I can appreciate the acute anxiety you feel and the fact that every patient you see now will have cancer! Our jobs place us in a unique situation when our own health is questioned.

    I truly wish you the very best, sending positive thoughts  xx

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hi there and welcome ...

    Oh dear ... can't believe your a Dr and googling symptoms ... that always does worse case sinarios... and then it all feels overwhelming... 

    It's probly harder for you as you have some bit of knowledge of cancer ... so that can make you more scared then usuall ... but saying that, 8.5 out of ten lumps are benign... and even if it's positive there's lots of us breast lasses on here ... all different treatments and different stages.... but everyone gets lots of support ..  

    I had a grade 3 her 2 neg oestrogen positive lump.... and I had a masectomy in July 2017 ... and looking back... the scariest part was where you are now .. the waiting to find out ... so don't worry your quite normal ... everyone l know felt it while waiting ... and look at your mum doing o.k ... and things have come a long way ...

    So try not to panic... it won't make the outcome different ... take things as and when they pop up .. that's the best advice I got in the early days ... and try not to do the "what ifs" till you know what your dealing with ... can't believe I'm giving a Dr advice ... you probly know all this any way ...  

    This is a really good place to come with any questions, or worries ...  so fingers crossed it's not cancer .. but if it is, there's lots of us here, trying to kick cancers butt ... 

    Let us know how you go ... Chrissie x

  • The two week wait was the worst wait for me. 

    It's hard, but keeping busy is important. 

    I personally think not telling the girls at this stage is wise, as more than likely it hopefully will not be cancer. 

    Hard though to not think the worst though I know. 

    Doctors always say... Don't google, and it's true. There are soooo many different types, stages, outcomes it could be there is no way of even reading up anyway. 

    Try to busy yourself as much as possible. I think the first week dragged the most compared to the second week wait. 

    Thinking of you x 

  • Hello there

    I am awaiting my breast clinic appointment on Monday, am also terrified. I completely feel for you, as I am a lone parent to my 12 year old boy, self employed, no support except elderly parents.

    I have very similar symptoms, and have also been stupid as I ignored an aching left boob that felt bigger than normal for a while :-(  I assumed fibrocystic changes... until I noticed a swelling in armit skin... when I felt around, I felt some nodes (I don't know if they were tethered etc)... 

    Fast forward, panic and fear, google. So I am in the same place as you. GP fast tracked me, she had a feel, and said she couldnt feel anything in my boob, but since being on this forum it seems that its common not to be able find many tumors.

    Have you had an appointment through yet?
    Do you think that you breast could be slightly bigger just from fibrocystic change? As I have read that it can be worse on one side...

    Love to know how youre getting on <3

    Hugs

  • So sorry to read this. What happened at your two week appointment? Did you have a mammogram or USS or both? 

  • Thanks everyone for responses. I have my clinic appointment on 14th. I'm trying to keep busy. It's helping a bit. I spoke to a friend who is a breast surgeon who was quite reassuring. Said because I have fibrocystic breasts and am on HRT it's likely hormonal.

    I am trying to hang on to that but I can't help thinking that one breast wouldn't get bigger unless there was something growing in it...

    And I know there is only anecdotal evidence but many people attribute their getting cancer to stress. I have had many stressors over the past decade and have ricocheted from one disaster to another. I'm used to having people commiserate with me for my 'bad luck.

    It makes you just anticipate more, and live in terror of the next ambush round the corner. I'm also desperate for my luck to change, but fear finding out I've got through all these things and will then find out I've got cancer, it's spread, and I won't get the chance to have a few decades where life is easier and more enjoyable.

    I had this fear even before I got these symptoms and signs. :(

  • Hi

    I had mammogram, ultrasound and lymph biopsies done.

    I had my follow up appointment yesterday unfortunately for me it wasn’t good news.

    I have breast cancer, need surgery and chemotherapy. I’ve got more scans to be done before my planning appointment on the 20th.

    The diagnosis surprised the team as they also felt lymphoma more likely.

    its a relief to know, I can now get on with things.

    I was just unlucky, fingers crossed for you xx

  • Hi there

    Sincerley sorry to hear of your diagnosis :-(
    May I ask what your symptoms were? Did you have swollen lymph nodes/armpit or a lump?

    Sending you hugs xx

  • Sincerely you could have written your last post about me! About a decade of stress here too, I'm 46, and also retrained... just within reach of a happy life (I'm going through nasty long drawn out separation).

    I have also been thing something awful would happen :-(
    I just wanted to say, you are not alone. And sincerely hope its hormonal... for both of us

    Big hugs xx

  • Hi

    my arm didn’t quite sit right at my side for a few weeks then I found a lump in my armpit.

    Had a few random temperatures which I put down to hot flushes. Breast nurse does not think that this was related.

    It’s been a month since I first went to GP.

    The surgeon says we’ve caught it early. I think many people would have ignored these signs. The medical team were surprised at the biopsy result.

    Good luck on your journey xx