Found a lump - Scared it's cancer.

[Rua]

I found a lump in my breast a couple months ago, and kept it in the back of my mind to ask my GP about it at my next checkup which was last week. She examined me and has arranged for me to be given a triple assessment (mammo, ultrasound, needle aspiration) at the local breast clinic.

My appointment isn't until the first of March. So I've basically got 5 more weeks to sit and worry about the "what ifs".

I gotta say, this whole thing has kinda freaked me out. Whatever the outcome, I can deal with it. But it's the not knowing that's driving me mad.

Has anyone else here ever dealt with a scare like this?

[jocoyn]

Yes. Lumps in breasts are fairly common and most are benign. It is unnerving but the odds are in your favor.

I had fibrocycstic breasts when I was young. They cleared up with pregnancy and nursing. Then had a lump about 10 years ago that they aspirated and it was benign.

[Shaolin]

Yes. I had the same issue as jocoyn. The 'what if' game is horrible, but as she said, usually it's benign. I'm sorry you are having to deal with his.

[onyx'girl]

same for me, aspiration and benign....too bad you have to wait so long to have the procedures done. Keeping you in my thoughts that all will be well.

[elisabeth_00117]

Same here. I am 27 now and a few years ago had a lump in my breast. I had the mammogram, ultrasounds and the needle aspiration... all checked out fine.

I still can't believe how long it takes for these appointments.. ugh.

[Midnight12]

A lot of times it's nothing, but I understand your fear and it will seem like forever till March for you. I had cervical cancer and had to wait a couple months for surgery. Had awful stress during that time but all came out good. That was 10 years ago.

[Rua]

Thanks so much for your replies. Yeah...I think my own fears are plaguing me more than anything else. I always tend to assume the worst anyway. The fact I am mum to two wee boys makes me all the more anxious to find out what this is. I grew up with a lot of sickness/doctors/nurses/medicines/etc in my house as a child because of caring for a very sickly relative. And I don't want that for my sons.
I really should stay well away from Google searches as well. I'll freak myself out even more. ha!

[katdog5911]

I have had several lumps and aspirations. I got myself crazy before the official it's benign. The waiting is so hard. And absolutely stay off the internet!
I work in a hospital where I schedule the exact appts you are going to have. And it really is true.....most of the time it turns out to be nothing serious.

[M&J]

If it helps, 80% of breast lumps that are biopsied are benign findings. 80%!!!! Those are good odds in your favor.
I'd be chugging down Hyland's CALMS like they are skittles. The anxiety of waiting is the worst.
Good luck!

[Rua]

I know. All the statistics are definitely in my favour. But I think the fact that I went through a long painful ordeal about 6 years ago when my doctors thought I had inflammatory breast cancer has kind of knocked my confidence a bit. Especially as the lump is on the same breast as when that whole incident took place.

I'm gonna do my best to keep myself as occupied as possible until March arrives. It's a good thing I've got human kids and furkids to help me do that!