Please help- lump in breast

naomi123 · 06-18-2005, 09:04 AM

Hi
About 2 weeks ago I noticed a lump in my breast but didnt really think anything of it. Then the other night whilst I was in the bath I noticed it was still there. I showed it to my boyfriend and he said he could feel a lump too. So i went to the dr and she confirmed there was a lump in the breast and has referred me urgently to the breast clinic. This means I should be seen within 2 weeks. But as you can imagine I am going mad thinking the worst, how Im going to die etc.. and even if I dont die I will be completly imfertile from chemo etc so whats the point of living anyway? I know I might even just be a cyst or somehting but obviously I cant help but worry. Im only 22 so the chances of breast cancer are small but they are still there. Please does anybody have any experience of this or has this happened to anybody here and what was the outcome? Please please help me I just cant stop thinking about this Im driving myself mad.

lovegoddess1977 · 06-18-2005, 10:18 AM

HUGS!! Take a breath and calm down...

When I was 19 years old, I found a lump in my breast and my doctor ordered me to have a mammogram. Well, I went crazy thinking that it was going to be cancer. Luckily, I was told that I just had fibrous breasts. It was nothing at all!!

I hope everything goes okay. Think positive and try to remain calm! I know that's easier said than done but it will make things go by quicker!!

Take care!! Keep us informed!!

ljl7171 · 06-18-2005, 12:12 PM

I went through that in January of 2003. I didn't feel the lump, my Dr did (actually the RE I went to to be diagnosed with PCOS). I worried my head off, my sister had breast cancer dianosed a week before her 40th B-day and I was just 31. Since she had that I had been getting yearly mamagrams, that too showed it on there. Here is what I went through: (BTY, mine was benign!)

1st I had a regular mamagram (where they saw it), then I was scheduled for a more precise mamagram (this one hurt because they squeeze it even tighter). From there they still couldn't tell what it was. Luckily when I made the appointment at the women's center in the hospital to have this 2nd mam. done, they suggested that I have my Dr. schedule an ultrasound to de done afterwards. She said it is easier to cancel that appointment if it is not needed than to have to wait to get in there if it is needed (they wouldn't know until I had the 2nd mam done).

Soo, I knew something was up when I was walked from the 2nd mam. down to the department to have an ultrasound of my breast done. From there they could tell it was solid and not a cyst.

My next step was to see a surgeon, I really liked my surgeon and we ended up having it taken out. Luckily I had my sister to talk too, actually I think she was more scared for me than I was, I was in a denial and she knew what she went through just a few years earlier. I was in and out in one day, I didn't have to stay overnight at a hospital.

Good luck, when I look back, it wasn't that bad, I know I was scared, I have the scar to remind me of that. Feel free to ask me about any proceedures you may have to have. I don't mind sharing if you want.

dellwood · 06-18-2005, 12:58 PM

Please try not to panic, naomi; I know that's easier said than done. I had a few small lumps in my left breast when I was 26; they turned out to be little cysts on my milk ducts. I had them removed 3 weeks later--that was 23 years ago and I've been fine ever since. I know all of us think the worst when we find something like this, but so often it turns out to be benign.
You've done exactly the right thing by getting it checked out promptly. Too often people are too scared to do this and they think if they ignore it, it will go away. It is always important to let your doctor know. Everyone I came into contact with was helpful and encouraging. We are all rooting for you.

choirmissy · 06-18-2005, 01:39 PM

I know how you feel. It's the not knowing that is driving you crazy. My doctor found a lump that I had never noticed about 2 years ago (I have lots of fibroids in my breast). I went in for a mamogram, a second mamogram, and an ultrasound. He then referred me to a surgeon. Even though no one in my family had ever had breast cancer, I was in a panic by then. The surgeon told me that he would do a biopsy if I wanted, but in my case, it was most likely scar tissue from my breast reduction surgery. Try to stay calm while you wait, even though I know it's hard. Hopefully, it will be nothing, but if it is something, you will be better off knowing what you're fighting. You'll be in my thoughts & prayers. Let us know what happens.

naomi123 · 06-19-2005, 08:05 PM

Thank you all for your replies I have been away for the weekend to the beach and it has really helped me take my mind off things. Im feeling alot more positive now- the chances of it being cancer are small at my age so Im just going to wait and see what happens when I get to the hospital. They said I should be seen within 2 weeks so I dont have long to wait. Thanks again and I will keep you updated when I get to the hospital.

nyk22dp · 06-19-2005, 08:38 PM

I know exactly how you are feeling, I am 20 and found a lump a month or so ago in my left breast. I went to the gyno for some other problems I've been having and asked her to take a look at it. She said it was definately a formed cyst, and not like the other little lumps I had felt that are just fibrous tissue... but we're going to check it out when I go back in August, since my breasts were so swollen and sore from having my period over 3 weeks at that time. I wish you the best of luck, and I know its going to be near impossible to keep your mind off it, so I will say try to stay positive, and keep us posted
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~D

Jen312 · 06-19-2005, 09:04 PM

Just wanted to wish you good luck...my GYN found a lump on my VERY FIRST gyn visit when I was 19! Talk about freaking someone out...I had an ultrasound, saw a surgeon, but it was just some fibrous tissue. I hope it's something VERY benign for you, and please keep us posted after you see your doctor.

hormonalwv · 06-20-2005, 01:31 AM

My bf (now dh) found a lump in my breast about four years ago. I went to the doctor the next day and she felt is as well. She sent me for an immediate mammogram, and before I even got the results back, the lump started shrinking. It turnedout just to be a clogged gland, but it very scary when you just don't know. Stay calm, stay positive...

{{{HUGS}}}

Dreaming Wolf · 06-20-2005, 09:36 AM

Wow so many of us young 'uns have had breast cancer scares! I had one a couple of years ago when I was 21. It was about two weeks after we got married. I didn't have a doctor here in Sydney yet so I just went to a random female GP. She referred me for a mammogram and U/S. They did the U/S first because they're less harmful for you than mammograms. They couldn't see anything at all, so they didn't even bother with the mammogram at all. They said to come back if it didn't go away after my next period, and by then it was gone.

I hope things are the same for you Naomi!

notcrazy · 06-20-2005, 12:13 PM

My husband found my lump on our first anniversary. Talk about a mood killer. Did a mamogram and a ultrasound. Had a solid mass about 5 cm in size. They were pretty sure it was benign but I was still scared poopless. They removed it and it's fine. Was pretty sore for about 3 days but that's about it. have to go back next month for my 6month follow up mammogram. My pre-op nurse has had 9 removed.

If it's solid, they will cut it out. If it's fluid filled they will drain it with a needle.

Probably not cancer
feels smooth
feels moveable
feels symmetrical
not very painful

probably cancer
not symmetrical
painful
feels like it's attached to the chest wall
discharge

canadianmutation · 06-20-2005, 10:09 PM

((hugs)) I think there have been a few of us in that spot. I didn't have a big lump but I was also leaking when I found mine. Scarriest part was it was when my dad was going through breast cancer at the time-- but it was due to a hormonal imbalance and a bit of a clog. PM me if you need to talk.

Rebecca527 · 06-20-2005, 10:33 PM

I just wanted to wish you luck with everything. My doc found a lump in my breast 5 years ago, and after having it checked out we found out it was just a clogged or infected gland or duct. Lots of women have this at one point or another, and it's really nothing to worry much about. A friend of mine has problems with fibrous masses in her breasts, and has had to have 3 surgeries to remove them. Thank God none of them have been malignant. I'll be saying extra prayers that everything is clear for you!

Esmeralda0328 · 06-21-2005, 12:18 PM

Well my situation is a little bit different. I got a dianosis of Thyroid Cancer which ended up being Thyroid Cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes then they did the surgery. I was 22 at the time they felt the lump in my throat and got told not to worry about it because it was probably not cancer given my age. Well it ended up being cancer. I got pregnant on one of the radiation treatments and I just had him. I also got told I would be sterile for at least a couple years because of the radiation but it wasn't recommended to get pregnant within a year of radiation because of the risks to the baby (baby is fine BTW). But my point isn't to scare you but give you some advice about something that I learned along the way.....worrying about it isn't going to help you. If it's there it's there. It's horrible to feel like a sitting duck waiting for labs feeling like things are almost surreal. But I think what would help is coming up with a plan of action based on what if. I think it's important to be informed. If nothing else it's just more knowledge. It sucks to be on that boat and I'm sorry you are going through it. (((hugs))) and good luck.

naomi123 · 06-21-2005, 02:47 PM

Thanks for all your replies again. I was hoping the appointment would have come through in the post today but Ive just got back from work and there is nothing for me

. Hopefully Ill have an appointment time tomorrow