Breast Cancer fears, only 22

Hi Bethany and so sorry you’ve found a need to find the group!

j too hope it’s nothing serious - BUT - you’ve done the right thing in getting checked out! And should it prove anything serious, well, you know where we are! 

i too had breast lumps, and got them checked too, in those far off days they surgically removed cysts but now just drain them and only investigate if there’s anything serious. 

For now, keep busy and use mindfulness and ignore google as it’s full of scare stories plus some VERY odd ones, and is usually out of date too. 
Sending hugs xxx

Oh I'm so sorry you have this worry , especially at your age but well done on getting it checked out and great your GP took you seriously and referred you. Most breast clinics are one stop shops so they scan you - probably ultrasound not mammogram as due to your age breasts denser so mammogram won't give best image but they might try one.  If there is a lump that needs a biopsy they will do it there and then .  You get a local anaesthetic then a few cells removed !  It's painless just a small prick like blood test from local an anaesthetic.  Results usually a week later. 

I sincerely hope you are back here soon saying all is well xxx

Hi , and another warm welcome to the forum. I’m hoping you’ll be a short term member but whatever happens we’ll be here for you. When you mention feeling like you’re just waiting for the inevitable cancer diagnosis, it reminded me of feeling exactly like that around 15 years ago. I’d found a lump and was waiting for the clinic referral. It’s such a clear memory, sitting in the bath thinking ok so you’re here, I’ve been expecting you. My parents both died from cancer, my mum at 53, so relatively young. But on this occasion it eventually turned out to be benign! They initially called it ‘suspicious’ but after inconclusive biopsies they removed it, and it was a fibroadenoma. So I wouldn’t read too much into your feelings of inevitability, I was so convinced mine was cancer on that occasion and nearly fell off the chair when I was eventually told it was benign. Try to bear in mind that the majority of breast lumps and bumps are not cancer. 
At around your age I was referred for ‘nodular’ breasts but was assured at the hospital that they were fine. When breastfeeding many years later I had tearing pain on one side and had another referral - duct ectasia this time, sorted by stopping feeding on that side. After the fibroadenoma I had yet another referral for a ‘lumpy’ breast - the other side - an ultrasound revealed cysts that time, which they left alone. Finally at 59 I found the lump which turned out to be cancer. I’m finished my ‘active’ treatment and am on ongoing hormone therapy. 
Sorry you’re now in the tortuous limbo stage of waiting for tests, as moomy has said, try to keep busy but do stay away from Dr Google. Will be thinking of you on Monday, please let us know how you get on. Love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

Hi Bethany - nice to meet you, although I wish it was under better circumstances. I'm not going to chuck the "you're too young" or any other platitudes at you as you said it doesn't ease your nerves anyway but what I will chuck at you is that when I was 32, I was diagnosed for the first time with breast cancer. My first symptom was a pain. The pain was nothing like you describe. It was not in the whole boob and it was not burning. 

It felt like someone had taken an extremely thin - like needle thin - bladed and jabbed it once,  very sharply and very quickly. It went within seconds. I hope this will go a little way towards easing your fears.

Others have said "stay away from Google" and whilst I concur, I also know that you're not going to. Just try to stay on reputable sites (here and other well known cancer charities/NHS sites.) Don't go wandering off into the world of the hypochondriacs and nutjobs - you will drive yourself insane. 

Keep us updated and try not to worry TOO much.