Hello Emmyduck123

I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with some concerns around a breast lump at the moment. It's naturally a worrying time. To then be dealing with multiple biopsies and differing opinions between the surgeons and the radiologists, well I think it's understandable that you're feeling anxious. 

It can often help to talk things through and I wonder if you'd find it helpful to have a chat with one of ur team of nurses ahead of your next appointment. I'm sure they will be happy to offer any advice and support that they can and to help you think about any questions you may want to ask the Consultant. they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

I hope that you don't have to wait too long for your appointment and that this time the results being some conclusive answers and some reassurance. 

Do let us know how you get on. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi Emmyduck,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your concerns. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years. Like you, there was some concern raised with my initial scans, and I had to have further tests. On two of these occasions, I turned out to have breast cancer, but on the third, my lump was benign. On all three occasions, my consultant was pretty sure in advance that all three would be cancerous.

I know just how worrying this wait can be, but I'm glad to see that your care team are investigating your symptoms fully, as you wouldn't want them to miss anything sinister. I sincerely hope that you don't have long to wait and, that there is a simpler explanation for everything.

Please keep in touch. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine, 

Thank you for the reassurance, now a few days have passed and I've had time to think ive calmed down a little. I'm still obviously worried as from what I have taken out of the appointment the radiology team disagree with the benign cyst diagnosis, and to me that's cause for concern. My step-mum went to her gp about a lump, had a benign cyst diagnosis, had 2 biopsies and it came back stage 2 cancer. So it just feels like history I repeating itself. 

It's also worrying as I have 2 boys, who I've managed to keep out of the loop with help from my wonderful husband and mother in law, but my eldest is 10 soon and is of that age where he's realising I'm having days off work that I usually don't have, and somethings wrong when I come home and can't hug him tightly like I usually do. My 3 year old couldn't care less so that's a bonus  

I guess I just feel ignored in a way, the breast clinic want to discharge me purely on the biopsy, but ignoring what the scans show. The radiology team don't trust the biopsy because of what they see. I just want it taken out. Surely the amount of time I've spent having biopsies and recovering I could of just had it taken out and be done with it. 

Xx

Hi Emmyduck,

I can fully understand where you are coming from with just wanting it taken out. I felt the same, but doctors are very reluctant to operate on, or remove healthy tissue. It is understandable that you do not feel reassured given your step-mum's experience.

You are right that the radiologists see a lot of cancers and are good at picking them out, even without a biopsy. You must feel frantic with worry, but be glad that they are investigating this so thoroughly, to avoid making the same mistake that was made with your step-mum.

Here's hoping that you next biopsy is clear again. Please don't forget to let us know.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine, 

Just thought I would update the thread with how my appointment went this morning. I arrived and had the same doctor who performed my first scan, talked me through it and surprised they have requested a third biopsy and not just removal. He said the lump I can feel is still looking like a cyst but the biopsy will show for definite. He said my previous biopsy wasn't of the initial lump I had found, but rather one of the cysts I have deeper in the breast tissue. So he's taken a biopsy of the main lump and will be writing in his report that he recommends I have it removed regardless of the next set of results. 

Although I want it removed, it's still worrying because of everything I've gone through the past few months. Having looked at the scan, the lump shows as a grey/black mass, not quite rounded. I'm guilty of googling breast lump ultrasound and from what I see it's coming up under cancerous lump pictures. 

I just can't wait for this to be over. 

Emma x

Hi Emma,

Many thanks for your update following this morning's appointment.

I am sorry to hear that you are still needed to have another biopsy. It sounds as if your consultant  wants your cyst removed as well as you. This sounds like the right thing to do if there is any doubt, as this is the only way that you'll get any peace of mind.

There is no way that even an experienced cancer specialist can diagnose a cancer, until you have a biopsy, so try to to remind yourself that'it's not cancer until you're told that it is' and, do your best to steer clear of consulting 'Dr Google'. This will only scare you further and serve no useful purpose.

Have you been told when your biopsy results should be back?  I sincerely hope that they come back soon, as you have had a long wait already.

Please keep in touch and let us know how your results go. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine, 

I was back to the hospital on Wednesday just gone to see the doctor about my results. He said that my biopsy came back benign again, but there is still some argument over whether it is benign or not. The threat has apparently been downgraded however, which basically means that my last biopsy had them sure it was cancer. 

My doctor said I have 2 options, I either wait 3 months and go back in October for repeat scans(which he said would 99% end in another biopsy) or I can opt for surgery to have it removed anyway and they will take the lot. I have opted for the surgery, and doc said he agrees with my decision as this has gone on long enough. He said it won't go through as urgent as its technically not a confirmed cancer case, but he believes I will have had my op and aftercare appointment before October. I'm hoping I will hear from the hospital soon with a date for my pre op, just so I know when it will be over. 

Thank you for the support and advice up until this point

Emma xx

Hi Emmyduck,

Thank you for the update. I am sorry to hear that your care team still believe that it was cancer, despite your biopsy results. Given what your doctor feels, you are doing the right thing in getting it removed, rather than drawing the process out even further.

You probably won't hear from the hospital about your pre-op until about a week before your operation.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Please remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine, 

I'm in for my op on Saturday, so its came around fast. I go in for my covid test on Wednesday, the im in Saturday 7:30am! 

Thankfully it's as a day patient, but im unsure if I should take anything with me. I'm leaving jewellery/purse etc at home but was thinking about taking my handbag with my phone to keep in touch with my husband and maybe a book? But I don't know if I need anything else. 

I think im just over thinking everything, I got my call with my surgery app while I was waiting to leave for a funeral of a close friend who passed from oesophagus cancer, so my head has been in bits the past week. I just can't wait for it to be over now. 

Hope you are well

Emma xx

Hi Emma,

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your close friend and offer my condolences.

It is great to hear that the date for your operation is nearly here. After this long wait, I'm sure that you are relieved too.

I'm not sure what the procedure is for day surgery. Would you find it helpful to have a dressing gown and slippers? It might be worth asking your breast care nurse before you go in. I agree that your phone and a book would be a good idea, but don't expect that you'll need anything else.

This time next week it'll all be over and done with. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

I shall be thinking of you on Saturday and hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx