Small bunch of grapes 🍇

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YouMe
YouMe Member Posts: 6
edited May 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi ladies & gents

First time poster. I hope I’m posting in the right place. Apologies if I haven't.

Historically I have been diagnosed with breast thickening and dense breast tissue. I was told some breast thickening was normal for some people and not a cause for concern. Mine fell into that category. No change for 3 years.

More recently I’ve felt in the area were the thickening was, what can only be described as a small bunch of grapes under the skin in the upper, outside quadrant of my left breast. They are firm but not solid. I would describe them as rubbery and tend to move (all the bunch, not separately) when touched. However I can only locate them when standing. They kind of disappear when I lay down. So. I’m kinda thinking it’s nothing sinister.

As I was aware that I am due for my 3 yearly breast mammogram I contacted my GP. They advised contacting the Breast Clinic. On discussing my findings they advised as the screening programme was behind schedule and I would not be called for screening for another year, and to make an appointment with my GP. Who would refer to Breast clinic if necessary. I have an appointment next week. I’m not overly concerned but I am intrigued as to if benign thickening can later develop into the big C.

Have any of you ladies and gents had a set of circumstances like these?

Side note - only yesterday I had a CT scan with contrast on my abdominal cavity due to intermittent significant bloating. This was through a referral via my Gastrologist (sp). Only today I’ve wondered if the two could be connected.

Thanks in advance for reading & responding (if you do that is, no pressure).

Wishing you all good health.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited April 2018

    YouMe

    Have you ever had this area evaluated with ultrasound?

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  • YouMe
    YouMe Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2018

    Thank you for your response.

    Yes I did 3 years ago. They did not us the whole breast, which I was surprised about. Just the area where the thickening was.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited April 2018

    YouMe

    It is standard practice to stick to the area of clinical interest unless ordered as a 'whole breast ultrasound' for screening.

    What did they call this area in the report? Three years stability is a good thing if this is documented by measurements on imaging.

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  • YouMe
    YouMe Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2018

    Hi

    Attended appointment at GP surgery today. They made an urgent referral to Breast Screening clinic for an appointment within 2 weeks. They said not worry, they always make urgent referrals when it concerns lumps & bumps.

    At least I’m a step closer to knowing what it is and the odds are it will be benign. Good luck to all you ladies seeking answers/piece of mind/treatment.


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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    YouMe - hoping you get the all clear at your appointment, hang in there during the wait. Sending positives your way! Let us know what happens please

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  • YouMe
    YouMe Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2018

    Thank you ‘007 :)

    During my examine yesterday they kinda found fluid under the armpit, same side. She actually said it feels like fluid under my arm.

    As for my lump, you can actually see it as it’s raised above the natural level of my breast. Fingers crossed it’s just a cyst or something, although never had a cyst anywhere ever before.

    Are you back to good health now ‘007

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    YouMe - thanks for asking! I’m 4.5 years out now and doing great!

    What is the next step for you? Are they planning on doing a biopsy on your lump? How do they intend on investigating the arm fluid situation

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  • YouMe
    YouMe Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2018

    that’s great news 007 :).

    I’m awaiting a response from the Breast Clinic; my GP has submitted an urgent referral and has told me I will be offered an appointment within a 2 week window.

    I know everyone is unique and different in their journeys ... may I ask how your symptoms presented? I understand if you don’t wish to talk about it.

    Take care

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    YouMe - be sure to ask to be put on a cancellation list if they have one and you are available last minute...could shorten the dreadful waiting time.

    I don’t mind telling anyone here my history, I probably bore most people with it LOL! I put my hand to my chest one day while laughing at something and my finger felt a small pea sized very hard lump that didn’t move. By the time I hit chemo 3.5 months later (so many diagnostics, but too long if you ask me) it was the size of a golf ball...you could have skied off it! They thought it was triple neg but I squeaked by into the ER+ side at 15%.

    Your rubbery squishy grapes sound a lot like cysts to me...I get them all the time and they are always benign.

    Hanging in there

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  • YouMe
    YouMe Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2018

    Thank you for sharing 007. I agree mine doesn’t sound anything like yours at all. The squishy grapes has now levelled out and not as definite. Still considerable thickening that covers quite a bit of area up to arm pit. Fingers crossed it’s just a benign problem. Nonetheless there is a niggle at the back of my mind it isn’t but I can image all ladies in my position think that even when it does turn out benign if that makes sense.

    If I’ve not heard from the breast clinic by Wednesday I will be ringing them as a week will have passed since I was seen at GP surgery; who had said I’d be seen within 2 weeks.

    Thank you again, you’ve reassured me some what.

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  • Mommyof1
    Mommyof1 Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2018

    Hope everything turned out well for you! Would you mind to help me understand what an area of Thickening exactly feels like?

    Thanks

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