Freaking out

Hi,

 

please help I'm a 24 year old female and for the past 5 days I've been suffering with armpit pain and pain with in the boob, when I feel for lumps I can't feel anything although my armpit is very slightly swollen and my muscles feel tense around this area. Due to having breast cancer in the family I decided to phone my GP today and they automatically referred me to the breast clinic. I am absolutely petrified and spent the past 2 hours crying to my husband as I'm scared. Has anyone else ever suffered with these pains and it's turned out to be nothing? 
 

thank you so much x

  • Please stop worrying, any breast lump will result in a two weeks referral as its government guidelines.  I've had lots of breast lumps, underarm pulling, swellings but just had fatty lumps which were removed under anaesthetic and all was well.  Stay calm and keep busy and don't Google.  All the best, Carol x 

  • Hello! 

    I'm around the same age as you (21), and just wanted to remind you that in our age group it is extremely unlikely to have breast cancer. However it is still possible and what I have found throughout the whole process is that they will be extremely thorough throughout the whole process - even if they really think it isn't cancer! Getting referred super quick is normal. I went to my GP with a lump in my breast, she referred me to the clinic as a non cancer suspected patient to hopefully get the diagnosis of a fibroadenoma (which is super common in our age group btw and benign!). I was then seen at the breast clinic in under 2 weeks even though I wasn't an urgent referral. I spent the whole time being reassured it wouldn't be cancer until I saw the radiologist who said upon looking on ultrasound said he cannot definitively tell me I don't have cancer so I had a biopsy. I was still reassured that it is unlikely. It does seem strange, being told how slim the chances are of having cancer at this age is, yet needing a biopsy.

    The best thing to do is no matter what tests you need to have is to remember the statistics and try not to be freaked out about what they want to do, as they are playing it safe. Which i'm sure they will do for you if you have a family history. I don't know if this is much help as i don't have the same symptoms as you, but i hope you are ok!

    Good luck!

  • Thank you so much! All the best, Sarah  X

  • Thank you so much, I'm hoping it's nothing more then a possible infection in a lymph node or something along those lines! Thinking logically the statistics for our age group are low and that's something to keep focusing on for the time being. Hoping it will be positive news and nothing else.

     

    I hope you referal was all ok in the end? Stay safe and thank you for taking time to reply x

  • I hope so too. Have you been told anything about how not having any lumps as such atm is good? Make sure you keep checking to see if anything comes up.

    i was hoping i would get diagnosed with a fibroadenoma from ultrasound but unfortunately had to have a biopsy. I believe they only do biopsies if the tumour appears as looking malignant in some way. It's so strange because i was getting reassured that cos of my age its likely to be benign, but they will only do a biopsy if they think theres a chance its cancer. I go back for my results on the 8th feb, so just got to wait now! 

    When is your appointment at the breast clinic, do you know yet? I imagine i'll have my answers before you so hopefully i'll be able to come back and reassure you to have faith in the statistics! :) 

  • Not really it was a brief chat with the GP today, hopefully no lumps is a good sign. I've had the pain for past 5 days and have been checking daily just to be safe! If anything my muscles in my boob are just really tight. 
     

    I suppose they like to be 100% sure with these things we are so lucky to have such a thorough screening really. Waiting is the worst part about all of this I think. 
     

    I got referred to the clinic today so hopefully should have an appointment date by Tuesday my GP said so it's all moving a long swiftly. 
     

    Fingers crossed the statistics will be right for both of us, I'll keep you in my thoughts. I really want to say a big thank you, I really have spent all night worrying about what to do if it is the unthinkable.  

  • Good that no lumps yet! and yes they definitely have to be 100% with cancer, they definitely seem to act on it if they think there is even a very slim chance. You should hear back very soon, I'm pretty sure i got a call with an appointment 3 or 4 days after my GP appointment, and remember they see everyone as quickly as poss it doesn't mean its a death sentence!

    I really hope so and please post on here any updates, how it all goes etc. I'll be thinking of you! x