I went to gp as I found a lump , he told me because of the markings down my breast and my nipple looks different and the lump is size of a marble ,I asked him straight and he said yes , it's looking like you have breast cancer , he then went on about his training and working on breast cancer wards but that all became a blur ,this was last week...I'm.now waiting fir appointment to see specialist....I'm petrified ,my mind won't stop ,I don't want to open up too much to my 3 grown up sons ,my youngest being only 16 ....my partner has alot of health issues ,I'm his full time carer , he got rushed to hospital yesterday as he had massive fit , he don't suffer with them but always gets ill with stress ,so I'm blaming myself, can anyone help me with what happens next please and how to start to control the anxiety from this as I'm so stressed ,thankyou
Hi Janye738, sorry you are feeling so stressed, the waiting to get tests, find out results and get a treatment plan (if it turns out to be breast cancer) are the worst part.
You will have been referred to a Breast Cancer Clinic, which are 'one stop shops'. My experience of that was that I saw the surgeon who examined me and took a medical history, then I was sent to have mammogram, then ultrasound. During the ultrasound, they decided to take a biopsy so I had that too and they put in a titanium clip at the same time and sent me around for another mammogram, this time with the titanium clip. I was then sent back around to the surgeon, who told me I likely had cancer. I was then taken to another room to talk to the Breast Cancer Nurse, who explained likely treatment and gave me loads of leaflets to take away.
They cannot determine cancer from the scans alone, so you have to wait for the biopsy results before you know for certain. I was really lucky, and my medical team told me exactly when I would get all of my results, and my next appointment was always booked in before I left the last one. I got my results a week later over the phone from my BCN, and she was able to tell me what type and grade and what would happen next.
I then had an MRI as they can better see how big it is and the shape. As I have dense breasts, they needed this as the mammogram didn't show my tumour and the ultrasound can only show so much. I then went on to have a whole body CT scan to check it wasn't anywhere else and also a heart scan prior to chemo. I had chemo, then lumpectomy then radiotherapy and I'm on hormone therapy for 5 years.
Everyone's cancer is unique to them and if it does turn out to be cancer, you may have a slightly different journey. Your team will do the absolute best and right thing for you every step.
Good luck, you should get a breast cancer clinic appointment soon - I think waiting time is supposed to be within 2 weeks, though I was told longer due to covid and then ended up having an appointment less than a week after I saw the GP
Thankyou so much for sharing your journey with me, its so scary of the unknown and like you say its the waiting , you have helped me so much from what you have told me , I hope your journey continues to go well , and I'm sure I'll hear something soon ,I'll post on here when I know more ,thankyou again.
You are welcome. I remember how terrifying it was at the beginning. Once you know what your treatment plan is, you will feel much better. I am through all treatment now, except the 5 years of hormone therapy and zoledronic acid every 6 months. I feel great and glad to have my life back. You'll get through this.
No still not heard anything ,I went last week to gp he said I would hear within 2 weeks ,but this is the longest week and half of my life akd still not there yet, I understand how overwhelmed you are ,this is the hardest thing I've ever had to face and I've been through alot with my health amd I'm only 49..I've everything crossed for you zx
I have just had my phone call ,I'm going on Monday at 3.30 ,the worst thing is I'm not allowed to take my partner ....his going to sit in the car and wait fir me ,he's my rock ..
Glad you’ve got appt through, you can now feel like you’re moving forward. My husband waited outside in car for all my appointments, never complaining, it’s so difficult for partners too.
I go for mastectomy on Monday, so he’ll be dropping me off and then waiting for phone call to pick me up and bring me home ( maybe same day ), feels like the last few weeks have been non stop coming and going!
im 37 and have no risk factors so I’m praying it’s nothing but it’s quite shocking to find a lump. Hope you’re holding up ok! I called the breast clinic yesterday but they have no cancellations although they were lovely and said to keep trying x
