r/doihavebreastcancer

Noticed the lymph nodes on one side only around a month ago. I didn't have any infections or an obvious reason for the swelling. The nodes feel hard but not super big — anywhere from a pea to more like a kidney bean. They mostly seem mobile, but with deeper ones it's hard to tell. My armpit area is swollen, but at this point, maybe I did that with my frequent checks.

I'm 50 and have had biopsies before (including an excisional biopsy) for a radial scar, and I'm so annoyed that all my brain wants to do is research all day. 😭 I don't share with people in my life because they're all of the "oh, it's going to be fine" variety. And it probably is! But I hate secretly wasting days coping with health anxiety via Google.

*ETA: I do realize that if all I end up with is a few wasted days, that's still a happy outcome in the scheme of things!

It didn't hurt when they were doing it. It just felt a bit uncomfortable. I got it done at a public hospital. I was hoping to send it to a private lab but they wouldn't allow me to. Apparently becouse some people take the samples to fake results. Now I have to wait THREE f*ing weeks for my results.

I would have gotten my results in two to three days if they'd give it to me. How am I supposed to keep my sanity while waiting? I was feeling so much better when I thought it'd be done in a couple days. I feel cheated.

I know it's very unlikely I have cancer. The wait is low-key worse than knowing the answer. I was already stressing these past two weeks since I got my ultrasound and they scheduled this biopsy. I had a panic attack at work a week before. How am I supposed to be fine about this?

Mammogram results how long do you wait? I had a mammogram this morning at 8am. I’m years past I had results in my portal the same day. No results in my portal today. Is that a bad sign?

I noticed this today when I was getting in the shower, I thought maybe it was a zit or something and passed it off, but then noticed the pattern and was a little concerned. Anyone have an insight on this?

I had my first MRI guided biopsy today and it hurt like heck. I’ve had ultrasound guided biopsies before and they were fine. This one was so painful comparatively and I’m way more sore after. That’s all, just a vent.

Hi everyone. You might remember that I previously asked for advice on whether I should push for an MRI after the radiologist recommended it when my ultrasound/mammogram came back as birad-3 but was inconclusive for finding the cause of my ongoing symptoms. I did end up scheduling with a breast surgeon oncologist and had my appointment last Monday. My symptoms remain unchanged on my left side. Still have swelling/thickening, tenderness/pain (which I feel in my armpit sometimes), inverting of the nipple & the clear discharge from what seems to a single duct. The doctor explained that while my symptoms could be caused by cysts which were seen in the ultrasound my symptoms do align with those that she’s seen in cancer diagnoses as well. Regardless, she agreed that an MRI is definitely necessary to be sure.

In addition to my left sided symptoms I’ve had since March, I’ve now started having issues with the right side which was included in the mammogram but not the ultrasound. I found a thickened area on the outer right upper quadrant the Wednesday the week prior to my appt that by Sunday seemed to spread above & behind the nipple area. The area feels weirdly numb like when you hit a nerve and lose some skin sensation. The doctor noticed that the area above the nipple seemed to causing slight indenting of the skin in that area.

I’m trying to not think too much into her mentioning that she’s seen my symptoms in cancer patients but I am also sort of glad she said this because it in a way has validated my feeling that something clearly isn’t normal here. Anyway, my MRI is scheduled for 7/16, and my follow up with the doctor is the 27th. Hopefully this means I’ll at least have some explanation as to what is actually going on by the end of the month.

I know i posted here before, i got an appointment for my biopsy but not before next month. I am totally nuts from anxiety and being nauseous, my primary put me on sertraline25 mg I started a couple of days ago and for sure it doesn't help, I stay busy most of the morning day, but my mind is just overwhelmed having that biopsy back in my mind, i know I am the only one how you deal with waiting and then again waiting for results, i always had health anxiety but now its out of control

Thank you for reading

Hi all,

I am 45 and just had my 5th mammogram + breast ultrasound today due to dense breasts. They have never found anything suspicious before. My paternal aunt had breast cancer at age 48 (she's now 80) but I don't know what type.

My results say "There are possible grouped calcifications in the right lower central breast." It's categorized as BI-RADs 0: Needs Additional Imaging Evaluation with a recommendation for a recall. My doctor already sent an Rx for a diagnostic mammogram (which I scheduled for Wednesday 7/15). The code on that Rx says "212.31 Encounter for Screening Mammogram for Malignant Neoplasm of Breast."

I am freaking out. Should I be worried?

This morning I noticed a lump in my armpit. It’s small and feels like a marble but it’s stiff not squishy in any way. My family has a history of breast cancer. My grandma got stage 4 cancer 3 times and two other aunts got it. One died. I have not cut my skin with a razor or anything like that. I don’t have the money to go the the doctor every time I panic and think I’m about to die so should I get this looked at or no

Hi, my wife had a breast biopsy a week ago and today she received a sms requesting her to attend an appointment at CGH tomorrow morning. We are very worried. Does anyone able to share the experience whether the results of the biopsy will determine if the hospital will want you to attend the appointment physical or just call you?

Hi! I had a diagnostic mammogram today. I’ve had one before which turned out to be nothing. Today? They want a biopsy of my right breast due to, “a 12 mm loose grouping of coarse heterogeneous microcalcifications.”

Is 12 mm big? Here is the complete report. I know no one can say whether the biopsy will be benign or malignant, but I was hoping to hear your story if you had a similar diagnostic mammogram result. Thanks!

“Impression: Calcifications in the lower central right breast are suspicious.

Recommendations: Stereotactic guided core needle biopsy. The patient has been notified of the results. This biopsy will be scheduled for the prone table.

BI-RADS 4: Suspicious. Electronically Signed by: xxxxx, MD on 7/6/2026 2:38 PM

Narrative Exam: Right diagnostic mammography, 7/6/2026

Clinical History: Patient is a 51-year-old female who was recalled from screening mammography to further evaluate the right breast.

Comparison: 5/18/2019 through 4/25/2025

Findings:

Density: The breasts are heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses

Screening mammogram: Screening mammography demonstrated calcifications in the central lateral right breast. No mammographic findings to suggest malignancy were identified in the left breast.

Diagnostic mammogram: The patient returned for additional full-field lateral and spot compression magnification views of the right breast. Today's magnified views demonstrate a 12 mm loose grouping of coarse heterogeneous microcalcifications in the lower central breast. These demonstrate some suspicious features.”

Hiii, I’m actually 23 as I’m writing this lol, but I just got done with my ultrasound biopsy (maybe an hour or so ago) so I thought I’d share to ease anyone’s mind that might be in a similar situation or has a biopsy coming up and is nervous. The actual procedure didn’t hurt at all and it was super fast. I asked the doctors if I could cover my eyes because needles freak me out and they were very understanding and gave me a towel to cover my eyes:) they also gave me a warm towel for my legs because the room was a little cold lol, so they went above and beyond what I expected. I also asked them to go over every step before actually doing it and doing a little countdown, I think that helped with my anxiety. Please advocate for yourself if you’re anxious like me! The lidocaine felt like getting a vaccinated basically (I have nothing else to compare it to) except on my breast😂? I didn’t feel any burning sensation like some people say, just a tiny pinch for a second in each area they inserted the needle into. As for the tool they use for the actual biopsy(not sure what it’s called), I was told I might feel some pressure while it’s being inserted, but I didn’t feel it whatsoever. I also didn’t feel it every-time they took a sample or when they removed it. There was a loud clicking noise every-time they took a sample but it didn’t startle me because they counted down each time. They gave me a few ice packs and some Tylenol in the end and some instructions for post biopsy care. I’m a little sore now but nothing I can’t handle personally. I will do a little update once I get my results:) let me know if you have any questions!

Within the last 5 years my mom has had both colon and breast cancer which led us to finding that we both have lynch syndrome. Likely others in our family did too and just didn’t know until now. My mom’s dad and brother both died young of colon cancer. My mom is the first one to have breast cancer in the family and it seems to still be debated on if breast cancer is lynch related or not. Since finding out I have lynch, I have been getting breast exams, mammograms or ultrasounds every 6 months as preventative care as well as colonoscopies yearly. I already had one breast lump scare that they basically said was nothing. I missed my last 6 month check up so it’s been closer to a year since my last breast ultrasound and mammogram.

Last week I found a new lump. It is a little bigger than pea size and it’s thick but not super hard. It is right under the top of my areola and right above the nipple. The breast it is on has been tender and looks slightly bigger than the other and I have been having general random dull stinging/burning pain all over the breast and armpit area. I called my gyno oncologist that I see for lynch and my regular gyno who helps monitor as well and the soonest they can get me in is still two full weeks away even with them knowing my history.

Idk what I’m looking for but I just constantly feel like a ticking time bomb with my family history and lynch syndrome. The family history is so direct with my moms dad and her only sibling all having colon cancer and me being the oldest child of my moms plus the only one with a lynch syndrome diagnosis so far. I am only 33 but my uncle died at 26, grandfather was 55 and my mom turns 55 this year and has been battling both agressive colon and breast cancer on and off for several years now. Is it even possible to have developed cancer this quickly with all the monitoring I have? Is that even a normal spot for a tumor or something else?

I have 2 and 3 year old daughters. I am just so terrified of them losing me early. I also developed an absolutely severe death anxiety when my youngest was born. I developed this anxiety seemingly out of nowhere right before finding out about the lynch syndrome so you can only imagine the spiral after. I have always been someone who focused on eating whole foods and working out, living holistically but being in the trenches of two toddlers my health has completely gone down the drain with lack of sleep and eating process foods just to survive each day. I know I have to get a grip back on my health, stress and sleep with my already high risk but it is so hard.

Thanks for reading my vent, please pray for me and send any wishes or advice you may have especially if you also have lynch.

I posted a few times about my experience over the last month+ waiting to get this biopsy done. I am 29 and have a mass that was found in my right breast. I have the biopsy in 2 days and I am freaking out. I am not as worried about the biopsy procedure itself I’m just so worried for the results. My radiologist told me she has a “low suspicion of cancer” so I’m trying to convince myself the odds are in my favor. But the other half of my brain wants to protect me I think to prepare for the worst. I am just freaking out overall! Any reassurance would be so helpful :(

I have heard many sources cite that dense breast tissue raises cancer risk, including the online calculators. I am 64 with density C and have been having mammograms and ultrasounds since mid thirties due to complex cysts. So even 30 years ago my reports noted this density. I understand it is a law now here in the US that we be informed. What I can't figure out is why density in itself is a risk factor. l understand the mammogram is harder to read angle, is that the sole reason?

Mammogram tomorrow. Scared. It always ends up in call backs, biopsies, what feels like a loss of control and unknowns. Scared. Will go but scared.

So, I’ve had a few breast fibroadenomas confirmed from a young age and reconfirmed recently, I’ve have always been very aware of breast checks. Last year my mother was diagnosed with Lobular breast cancer and has had a single mastectomy and they were able to remove the infected tissue and has been going well. In the last couple of months I’ve noticed a new lump in my breast so I presented to the doctors and who sent me for an ultrasound, but they weren’t able to find anything at all in the ultrasound even though the lump was palpable. She then out of caution and with my mother’s history referred me for a breast MRI with contrast as this was how my mothers lump presented, very palpable but unable to see it on 2 ultrasound so needed MRI with contrast. Unfortunately 3 days after the referral I went overseas for 2 weeks, and wasn’t able to complete it before I left. The day I got back from my trip I found out I was pregnant, we’d been trying for the last 6 months with no luck, so wasn’t expecting for it to happen necessarily. So I’m now unable to go and get the MRI with contrast. The doctor has said we’ll put it on the back burner for now and address it post baby, but I’m quite concerned waiting 9+ months now, and it’s all I seem to think about, and get shooting pain to the lump every so often.
Has anyone else been in this position, did you wait until after birth, or were there alternative routes you took?

I'm over the moon that my results were benign!!!!!

But this recovery is really dragging me down.

The bruising started as light yellow when I took the top bandage off. Today the yellow is darker and has spread. I'm still experiencing a fair amount of tenderness/soreness. I don't think there's anything super wrong but because the steri-strips are still on there I can't say if there's discharge or redness underneath (6 steri-strips in a star pattern). I don't have a fever. I don't feel a noticeable bump. There is some blood-like color under the steri-strips but I *think* it's been like that and is residual from the procedure? I wish I had paid better attention.

I can remove the steri-strips tomorrow per my care sheet. I'd like to take them off so I can look but they're still on there pretty good. Using alcohol and a q-tip was how the care sheet said to remove them without further guidance. I don't understand how this works. Plus I get a queasy sensation thinking about removing them.

I guess I'm just having a lot of anxiety.

Anyone here sore/tender/bruised 6 days post biopsy?
If you took off stubborn steri-strips how did you do it?

Thanks, y'all. x

I've had itchiness mainly on left side. I had an ultrasound last year for a lump and it was just a small mildly complex cyst. Getting it rechecked. But the left itchiness on one tiny small warty or hyperkeratosis like bump. I feel lumps on both breast around areola and nipple, but I have always had ropey breast. Dr checked it 2 wks ago and said he doesn't feel anything abnormal and doubts it is pagets as he sews no destruction of nipple or inversion or abnormalities. I however itch almost daily for the past yr. It had calmed down for a while and came back. He says it is my anxiety causing it. Anyone had this and it turned out to be benign cause? Itchy on only one nipple or mainly one.

Hi guys I have this concern that I feel like I am not getting a satisfactory answer on. My breasts have this white liquid come out every time I squeeze it close to the nipples. I first noticed it a couple years after I got my period. I went to a doctor and they said it might be normal for me because i have a higher testosterone level than usual. It might or might not go away when i am grown up. I was 14 then. The next time i got it checked, I was like 19/20 yo. They told me the same thing. I got a whole extensive mammogram and everything last year on both my breasts last year, 22 yo, and they did not find anything wrong. My idea is that it might not be ‘milk’, could be just a discharge? It’s translucent mostly, very rarely milky white. I am concerned that the doctors cannot catch something that might be going on inside my body. My breasts are growing in size too, which I thought was me gaining weight. But I have not significantly gained weight for my breasts to grow so rapidly in a few months. When I lost the weight, my breasts were the same size. I am concerned because when I gain weight, it mostly deposits in my belly and back first, then the leftover ones in breasts. I hope it’s just my body changing going from a teen to an adult. But I am just not sure about the lactation part. Is there anything else I should check to ensure it’s not taking the cancerous turn?