Hi Eleanor,

I agree that anything like this is worrying at the best of times, but even more so when you have children. A number of people don't tell anyone until they have a diagnosisand even then, the more positive you can be in the telling, the more normally people tend to treat you.

I do so hope that all goes well for you on Thursday and that they're still breast mice.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi, I'm sorry to hear this, I too found a large breast lump, I was told I would be seen within 2 weeks, which was already unbareable and now I have been informed there is a backlog of patients due to covid and I have to wait until the 22nd. I have enquired about private but they also have a backlog, I have asked my GP to try and be referred somewhere else but as yet I haven't heard anything. It's totally out of my hands so it seems, so frightening. Lots of luck coming your way x

Oh no that is unbearable I dont even know how I'm going to get through the next week let alone if there is that much of a backlog.   Even though it is a little while off I am pleased that you have got a date for your appointment, did the hospital phone you or did you get a letter in the end?  I just feel so on edge that i'd rather just get a date through even if its a little while off just so I know, i guess I no good with everything feeling so out of my control and i empathise.  Sending you all the luck in the world and keep in touch. x

Thinking of you Panic 1990, I have been very tearful too, it is very scary. I hope you get to hear about your appointment soon.  Be kind to yourself and stay in touch x

Thank you Jolamine it is good to hear that it can all work out better than I fear right now and I knwo you are right to say to stop google-ing the signs and symptons, all that has achieved is scaring me further. Being able to be in touch with others in the same situation makes me feel less isolated.  Thank you for your support.

xx

Hi Panic,

Your title says it all!

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you've joined us. Still, you are doing the right thing by getting these changes investigated. 

You are perfectly right - fear of the unknown is  very real and you will find that, irrespective of the outcome, it becomes easier to deal with all that is happening once you have a definite diagnosis and start treatment if necessary.

I have had two bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years and, am still living a busy and fulfilling life.

Please keep in touch and, let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Bostongirl,

We always advise people not to Google as it scares the wits out of us and, serves no useful purpose. There is no need to feel alone. There are a large number of us on this forum who have experienced all that you are going through and we are here to support you as and when you need us.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all, 

I'm not sure what I'm doing here (online tech and me don't mix) but I felt really reassured reading all your posts. 
I'm 37 and a few months ago felt what I thought was a small lump under my left breast,I was due on my period and feel bumpy and sore at this time so didn't think anything of it. I've continued to check and check and check again..it doesn't hurt but it's there and when I lay down I can see it, I  think it's the paranoier of my fathers shock diagnosis last February and sudden death in March with cancer so I just told myself I'm being paranoid. Of course it hasn't gone away,I finally had my friend check and she made my doctors appointment 31st March. The doctor was lovely,however I do struggle to understand her and I was just concerned I was wasting her time and being paranoid. She examined me and said she will refer me to breast clinic and that she doesn't know if it's on the rib or breast tissue. Been going out of my mind since then with worry and have an appointment at breast clinic next Friday 16th. Just wondered what to expect. I've become obsessed with checking one minute I feel it next I'm telling myself I'm wasting their time,is this normal? 

Hi Lozza,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am so sorry to hear about your father and, can understand why you are so worried.

You are certainly not being at all paranoid. Most breast lumps don't hurt, but it is never a good idea to ignore any breast change. The sooner any cancer is caught and treated the better the outcome tends to be. Try not to keep checking your breast all of the time, as this will only make it sore. I have found that it is often easir to examine yourself in the shower when you are all soapy, as your hand will glide across the area easily.

You will find all of the staff at the clinic are usually very understanding and helpful. You have probably been asked to attend on your own due to the current pandemic. You will be seen by your consultant, who will talk to you about your symptoms, when you first noticed them, how your breast feels, etc. You will then have both breasts examined. Depending upon the consultant's findings, you will usually have a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy. Most women under 40 don't have a mammogram, as younger breasts tend to be denser and breast tissue doesn't show up well on these type of scans. However, because you are close. to this age, you may or may not have one.

You will then be sent away to wait for the results of these tests - this usually takes 1-2 weeks, but can take a little longer in some areas at present, due to Covid. This is always an anxious wait, until you find out whether or not there is anything untoward present. Even consultants cannot diagnose cancer with any certainty solely from an examination. The biopsy will confirm the type and grade of breast cancer if it is present.

Having said all this, our minds often tend to think the worst at this stage. I am not a doctor, but some facts that I have found helpful are that only 1 person in every 8 who attend the breast clinic will receive a cancer diagnosis. Also, not all lumps are cancerous. Some ladies have naturally lumpy breasts and others can have benign cysts. Just remind yourself that it's not cancer until you're told that it is.

Keep busy to help make the waiting time pass a little quicker and, whatever you do, steer clear of consulting 'Dr Google', as this can scare the pants off you for no good reason. We always advise people to steer clear until they know exactly what they are dealing with. I hope that all goes well for you next Friday. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are alays here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx