Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 2 replies
  • Views 294 views
  • Users 0 members are here

I can't sleep from severe panic attacks and anxiety

mbappe2020
Offline

Hi,

 

I'm recently turned 24 and found what felt like a 2cm lump in the left breast a week ago which a GP investigated and she said it felt like a cyst... but she to be on the safe side referred me to a breast clinic . Fast forward a few days and I just had my appointment where they did an ultrasound but the radiographer was being very silent and acting elusive (don't know if this is normal or not) and then she explained she needed to take a biopsy?? I was a bit confused I was hoping for the best trying to think positive - oh hopefully it's just a cyst etc. to calm myself down but I burst into tears when I saw the needle so clearly it's not just a cyst. 

 

Does this mean its something potentially very serious? As I feel like sometimes healthcare staff are very dismissive of ethnic minority patients especially the radiographer/ultrasound scanner person who was dealing with me was being quite patronising and also wouldn't really explain the full procedure to me. She just told me I'd have to wait for 2 weeks to hear back. Which is understandable as these things take time but I literally haven't been able to focus on anything or eat and drink I just need my mind to be put at rest and some form of reassurance :( as I am a naturally anxious person generally.

I'm just so confused as I am a Grad Medicine applicant myself hoping to get in for next September and we get assessed on basic things like empathy etc which these healthcare staff sometimes seem to lack? Don't get me wrong my GP was very nice and understanding but this breast clinic just gave me a completly bad experience and I feel like my ideas/concerns/expectations were not met at all :( I don't know what to do with myself during these 2 weeks. If it turns out to be something serious it means I have to give up my plans on doing grad medicine in September 2022 and I feel like my dreams have just been crushed.

 

 

  • Hello mbappe2020

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently had some breast health concerns which resulted in a biopsy. As a general rule, most health professionals carrying out ultrasounds aren't able to give you answers about the diagnosis so whilst it might have appeared that they were being elusive, it may be that they simply weren't able to give you the information that you wanted. 

    It's important to remember that biopsies are used to diagnose not just cancer but other lumps such as fibroadenomas which are benign breast lumps much more common in younger women. It might help you to know that the vast majority of women who are seen in breast clinic are not diagnosed with cancer so try and keep that in mind. 

    We know that it can be a really difficult time waiting for results and sometimes it can help to talk things through. If you'd like to speak with our team of nurses next week I'm sure they'll be happy to offer any advice and support that they can. they're back in the office after the bank holiday on 0808 800 4040 (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm). Do give them a call. 

    Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline

    It's standard procedure to do a biopsy even if they don't think it's cancerous. I have an ovarian cyst which is due to be removed surgically..a biopsy will be done on it to see if it's cancerous but I've been told that it's unlikely. A biopsy just double checks if it's cancer or not. I had a Ca125 test done to check for cancer but it's not fully reliable which is why the biopsy is needed as it's more precise.

    My radiologist for my ultrasound was really nice and did explain the procedure to me beforehand and was fairly chatty as well as the other girl there (presume it was another radiologist). The radiologist doing my MRI was nice as well so the silence isn't normal- some words of reassurance wouldn't have gone amiss but maybe you were just unlucky to meet an unfriendly person. 

    I know waiting for results can be very anxiety provoking..that's very natural and I'm wondering whether my surgery and biopsy will disrupt my life too and to what extent. 

    Break the time down into small chunks- just focus on two weeks time when you'll get the results. I find that I can't think too far ahead in the future or else I get totally overwhelmed. 

    I hope everything works out well for you and that the results are benign

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.