Hello Holly and welcome to the forum.

I think many of our members have gone through this when waiting for their referrals so I'm sure some of them will be along soon to offer their support and advice but if you can, do try and stop touching it if you can. I know that is much easier said then done but if you fixate on it it'll make your fears and worries worse. Plus that area of your breast may become rather sore.

If you feel your worries and anxieties are getting a bit unmanageable, it may be worth getting in touch with your doctor but I hope these tips will help keep your anxiety at bay in the meantime.

If you'd like to find out more about your referral just click here.

All the best,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Holly, I have GAD with a specific focus on health anxiety since the pandemic began, and I went to the GP today because I felt a lump in my breast. I hoped to be told it was a cyst and sent on my way, but unfortunately I've been referred to the breast clinic, and obviously I am thinking the worst too. I wasn't experiencing any pain but since examination both my breasts have felt heavy and tender, I think that's mainly psychological, maybe a little because of the poking and prodding today. So I totally understand. 

Hi Aimee Lou,

Sorry to hear that you're in that situation, but fingers crossed it is a cyst after all.

It's so strange how the mind works like that! I reckon health anxiety must be playing a huge role in that for both of us. Definitely glad it's not just me experiencing this, too.

Have you found anything that helps the pain? I find that paracetamol does very little (maybe because it's psychological) but that ice packs work very well.

I haven't tried taking anything yet, my breasts just feel heavy and tender and I feel more aware of them, and like I don't want to touch them incase I feel something else, like you said. It's very odd. Literally had no pain before, just felt the lump the other evening. I hope you find some relief for the pain! I used ice packs for a groin injury, my daughter prefers hot packs for her sore knees (Osgood Schlatters Disease). Do you have a date for your clinic appointment yet? 

No it's literally been 6 hours since my GP appointment, haha! Patience is not my strong point, thanks to anxiety! I hope you hear from them soon, and you manage to find ways to distract yourself in the meantime. X 

Hi Holly & AimeeLou

I have just been referred to the breast clinic too (on the 9th) so I can identify with the worrying feelings while we wait. It's hard not to think of the worst but I'm trying to tell myself that there's no point in worrying until I know if there's something to worry about! 
Try and distract yourselves with something you enjoy like a hobby or watch Netflix! I know it's easier said than done but this is going to be a looooong 2 weeks (or maybe longer ‍♀️) if we stress about it constantly. 
 

sending hugs,

K x

Hi K, you're absolutely right! I kinda flip between severe anxiety to "hey, sod it, what will be will be and I can't control it". I prefer the latter phases. Glad you are staying positive and keeping yourself occupied! Hopefully we'll all get our appointment dates soon! X 

It's only natural to have these feelings.
I keep catching myself looking up information about it all and I don't know if it's better or worse that I can't seem to find anyone who has the similar thing that I'm feeling as I don't have a lump (not that I can feel!)- It's more like a string under the skin from the side of my armpit down to my nipple & which forms an indented line when I raise my arm - it's only visible and palpable when I raise my arm. 
The dr doesn't seem to think it is anything sinister which is reassuring however in the same breath, she had said it's not normal so it's worth checking it out. 
I just want to know when my appointment is already so I can focus on getting there! Would you believe I'm usually a patient person?! :laugh:

K x

Absolutely, I had to have ultrasounds last month due to ongoing abdominal and pelvic pain and the wait for the appointment was horrible, I spent the time constantly googling and reading the worst things, I know not to do that this time. Even my dr today said don't Google things. But just having the date gives you something to focus on, to work towards. My dr today said the lump "felt like" fibroadenoma, but again in the same breath said she'd refer me for further testing but "not to worry". I would never have found this lump if I wasn't going through a puberty book with my daughter which had a section on checking your breasts, realised I never do that, so I had a go!