This time feels different and I'm worried.

Hi , not sure I can answer your questions very well but wanted to say hi and welcome! Hopefully yours will be a temporary membership but this 'club' provides lots of support and shared experiences so you won't be alone during this horrible limbo time. Many here have said that the waiting is the worst. Re your questions: in my case, I had a fibroadenoma in my left breast about 15 years ago, and then a cancerous lump in that breast 2 years ago. The right breast has had 'duct ectasia' (inflammation of the ducts, resulting in a tearing pain) when breastfeeding 25 years ago and cysts many years later. So both sides have had benign lumps but of different sorts. Nobody medical (or otherwise) has suggested that any of my 'previous' was related to my recent cancer diagnosis and I wasn't given any extra monitoring so I assume no link? But if I'm honest I just don't know. However lots of my friends have also had an assortment of benign breast issues and none have then developed cancer. 

I hope you've had that call by now and have a date for the clinic. Try to stay away from Dr Google in the meantime as the info there is often out of date or even wrong. Remember that the majority of breast lumps are benign, but also that, if this lump turns out to be cancerous, breast cancer is very treatable nowadays. There are lots of us rattling around this site, some are many years post treatment and very much still here! Others drift away and simply get on with their post cancer lives. Soon you'll have some answers and will know what you're dealing with. Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

Thanks for the response, HappyFeet1.

No call yet.  I was told by the doctor to chase up tomorrow if I hadn't been given an appointment by then so will be ringing in the morning and hopefully get a date set.  The waiting feels a bit unbearable, though I know I'm in a queue and there are likely women being seen today who have already had to endure a wait of their own.

I was guilty of consulting Dr Google at first, but in all honesty I think I was looking for some conclusive way to tell whether the lump is serious or not just by the feel of it, which doesn't exist.  So I think I'm just going to wait to see the doctors now.

I keep waking up every morning and the first thing I do is check it's still there.  I guess I was hoping that it was hormonal and would just disappear overnight but I think it's too big of an area for that to feasibly happen.

Hi ,

I too am sorry to find you here - the waiting for a proper diagnosis is the worst thing .It may be that it is not cancer which will be good but if it is then be reassured that it is very treatable  these days .I can't comment on benign breast lumps as I have never had them, but you have made the first steps to sorting out your problem by  being referred by your GP.I can only echo HappyFeet1 in her advice about Dr Google .

Sending you big hugs and hope you get your appointment very soon .XXKwissy

KwissyThanks for the response to my post, and for the reassurance.

Chased up the referral with the doctors today as they told me to and was told I'm definitely on the list to be seen within 2 weeks and should hear from the breast clinic in the next couple of days but to call back on Friday if I haven't heard anything by then.

I'm really struggling a lot with sleep, have been awake until at least 3am the past few nights due to worrying.

Not sure if I've just become more aware so only just noticing it, or if it is new, but it does seem as though my right breast has slightly changed shape and size. There is a noticeably bigger outward curve to the upper outer part, especially when I raise my arms. I also noticed running my hand over the top part of the breast compared with the left side it feels as though there is much more tissue or as though it is swollen. This is something I haven't had when I've been referred previously and it's freaking me out a little bit.

Fingers crossed I will have a date for the appointment soon. 

HI ,

Glad you chased up your appointment but sorry to hear that you are still  waiting to hear when it is .As I've said

 before the waiting to hear what is happening really is the pits! Because you are looking at your breast so often you will see  changes that may or may not be significant. I found this after my radiotherapy- even a change in light seemed to make it look different ! I suspect that your sleep will not be as settled as usual until you have a diagnosis . Have you tried a few drops of Lavender oil on your pillow at night-I found that helped me settle to sleep.If you are awake during the night try looking at the AWAKE thread on here- usually others around there 24/7 Sending you very big and gentle hugs - you are in my thoughts xx Kwissy