Hi!
Just feeling very low and anxious and confused.
Around 10 days ago I discovered a small hard lump on the top of my left breast. I went to the GP and she referred me to the breast clinic on the two week programme. Having found the lump I felt a dull ache in the breast and at odd times a needle like prick, although this could be in my head or as I feel the lump quite a lot.
I have small lumpy breasts and am likely in perimenopause. I have had a lymph node that comes up and goes down every so often on that same side, which GP have said is not a concern as it goes away.
Yesterday I had my referral. The doctor for the initial physical exam could not really find anything and had to ask me where it was. Lying down its not so obvious, but can easily be felt when when sitting or standing. She marked the area, said she did not think anything of concern and sent me for mammogram and ultra-sound. The ultra sound doctor did examine all over that breast and I then had a second 3D mammogram. When the breast was squeezed in the mammogram it definitely hurt as though there was a thing there being squished.
But then the doctor who had done the ultra-sound just came to the waiting room and said I could go, the scans did not show anything. I asked what the lump could be and he said he could not say but not unusual for women to come in with a lump and for scans not to show anything. And the other doctor had no concerns and he could see nothing on the scans. He said just to monitor and if grows or changes to go back.
I was not offered a biopsy. I did not ask for one at the time as I was on edge. Butt now wish I had.
Is it normal to just have scans and no biopsy of a lump if scans don't show anything?
Am I being paranoid? I do have health anxiety following my dad's sudden death from cancer and all you read about online and in the papers. And its getting worse as I get older, I am on my own now and no partner after bad break up a few years ago so lot of time to over-think things. And I wonder if perimenopause increases these feelings.
The waiting for the referral was terrible and just wanted it over and to be given all clear so I could relax and move on. But I don't feel much better. The couple of friends I told were all over joyed that I was given all clear and said I could now forget it and relax after a terrible week. But I still just want to cry all the time and have niggling doubts maybe there is more to it.
Part of me knows this is irrational as initially i was hoping quick trip to GP and she would say it was nothing and off I would go - happy and back to normal.
Still feel I have this lump and no explanation. If I had been told it was a cyst (its not, I did ask) or a fibrous lump, just part of my breast etc......I think I would feel better. But I am stuck with a lump, be it fairly small and no other symptoms and no explanation for it.
And an ache in the breast but then my breast as been squished a lot yesterday and prodded by me alot. I am trying to remember as its all now this horrid anxious blur, but don't think it was an ache or pain that alerted me to lump, just a check in the shower, which I do often, probably far too often as nurse at clinic said to really only do once a month.
I guess you read all these stories on here and other forums where people had all clear and then a few months later - wham......
Anyone else had the same or advice on if its normal not to have biopsy and I should just trust the doctors? I am not good with that as my dad was fobbed off for ages until symptoms progressed and it was too late. And I am a definite worrier and over-thinker.
I just want to enjoy my garden, my dogs, make plans but trapped in this horrible anxiety. And then feel guilty as know so many others are much worse off and not been given the 'all clear'.
Thanks.
