I have hesitated to write this because I believe firmly in self breast examination. However I used to faithfully examine my breasts (my sister had bc) and yet had no sign that I had breast cancer. It wasn't until my mammogram (which hurt my left breast like crazy) was done and I said to my husband that I will get a call back because the pain was quite bad. The pain didn't last but sure enough I got the call back, had the scan, another mammogram and the biopsies and was told that I have a very large lump, at least 5cm by 1cm in my left breast. HOW DID I NOT FEEL SOMETHING THAT BIG. Long story short, had a left breast radical mastectomy which revealed a lump 8cm by 2cm tapering to 1cm. My surgeon said the lump was close to my chest wall which made it difficult to feel. I only have small breasts so it makes me wonder abouit women who have larger breasts. Anyway I had the chemo and all the side effects.Chemo is the gift of life but it does keep on giving doesn't it? Am currently having radiotherapy which I finish next week on 29/10/14. I then go onto Arimadex for at least five years. My medical team have been marvellous and I hope, when I have my next bone scan etc that it will reveal no further nasties. Keep examining your breasts - mine was unusual I think.

I had 2 tumours 15mm and 8mm, I felt neither one. A mammogram picked up the smaller one and a physical examination picked up the 15mm one. I don't understand how the mammogram picked up one and not the other. They were only 1cm apart in the same quandrant of the one breast. Good luck with your bone scan and your recovery, all the best, Hazel xx

I also had an inverted nipple and I didn't know what that meant. I kept feeling my boobs and sure enough about 3 days after noticing the nipple up popped a lump. After going through all the tests I was diagnosed with multifocal invasive ductal carcinoma - 3 tumours in all, and the biggest one was 3.5cm. So I also asked myself - how did I miss it? My surgeon said it had been growing for months - I had no idea. I"m now halfway through chemo after a radical mastectomy a couple of months ago. Struggling to stay positive at the moment but I'll get there and so will you. Tink

Hi I too missed a 4.5cm lump and around 5cm lump total in lymph nodes. The lymph nodes they say are a bit hard to feel but a golf ball in my boob!!! But I allways did what we were advised years ago, checked myself in the shower!! Even when I knew it was there I battled to feel it standing up. I tell all my friends now lay down to check your boobs. And as they are saying in the leaflets look at your boobs, know them, any changes get them checked. Pam

Anyone else this has happened to?

15 Replies

rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi I have never called it a journey either to me it haas been a sh.....y trip.

Good to hear you have fiished radiotherapy, take carexx
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi I have never called it a journey either to me it haas been a sh.....y trip.

Good to hear you have fiished radiotherapy, take carexx
jayjen
Member
11 years ago
I am still bemused by the fact that I had no changes whatsoever in my breast. No nipple inversion, no skin changes or any outward signs. If I hadn't had the scheduled mammogram I would still be growing the monstrous lump. The only soreness occurred when I had the mammogram. Although they are uncomfortable, they have never actually hurt before. But this one did - only whilst I was having it, but being reasonably small breasted I guess the squashing etc must have impacted the lump. BreastScreen Qld didn't bother with the letter, I just got a phone call so I knew it must be fairly serious. I had 31 lymph nodes removed from under my arm and 21 of them were cancerous.

All that aside I finished my radio therapy yesterday. Apart from being burnt qjuite severely all over the left side of my chest and up my neck (for the lymph nodes that are left) and a large portion of my back as well, I and glad that part is all over. It is a huge trip to take isn't it? I do hesitate to call it a journey because in my mind a journey ends in a cocktail and a sunset!! So this has been my trip and I am hoping and praying that it is mainly all over.

Best wishes to everyone out there. Stay strong.
mica2704
Member
11 years ago
I also did not have a lump, rather a persistent soreness in spots that I noticed weren't going away after the usual monthly cycle (one breast only). As we were in the middle of moving, and my dad was unwell, it took a couple of months for me to getting around to checking this out (I'm 41 and wondered if it could be my breast just changing with age? or getting pre-menopausal?) So went off for my first mammogram and got the dreaded callback letter. Note, by this stage I could feel the tissue had "thickened" a little over one area and I was getting some occasional shooting pains in the breast. Anyway, you know the drill..... eventual mastectomy, chemo etc

So many people have told me they didn't know to look for these symptoms as well. And some one I know has the same symptoms but has been fully checked and is fine. Go figure!
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi my husband noticed a change in my nipple, I was already due to have my mamogram. I wasn't to concerned went and had my mamogram and got a call back. The shock was that i did have a lump that we couldn't feel as well.

Since that dreaded day I have had 2 surgeries, chemo and mastectomy and in the middle of reconstruction. It just goes to show ANY change is a warning.
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi my husband noticed a change in my nipple, I was already due to have my mamogram. I wasn't to concerned went and had my mamogram and got a call back. The shock was that i did have a lump that we couldn't feel as well.

Since that dreaded day I have had 2 surgeries, chemo and mastectomy and in the middle of reconstruction. It just goes to show ANY change is a warning.
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi my husband noticed a change in my nipple, I was already due to have my mamogram. I wasn't to concerned went and had my mamogram and got a call back. The shock was that i did have a lump that we couldn't feel as well.

Since that dreaded day I have had 2 surgeries, chemo and mastectomy and in the middle of reconstruction. It just goes to show ANY change is a warning.
mgndam1603
Member
11 years ago
I too didn't feel my lump, it was found during my routine mammogram and was close to my chest wall. None of my doctors could feel it either on my pysical examinations.

I still constantly examine my breasts even though its yearly mammograms with ultrasounds now.

I am almost 2 years post surgery and 1 year post treatment and my doctors have extended my meds to 10 years.

Good luck with finishing your treatment.

Donna
mgndam1603
Member
11 years ago
I too didn't feel my lump, it was found during my routine mammogram and was close to my chest wall. None of my doctors could feel it either on my pysical examinations.

I still constantly examine my breasts even though its yearly mammograms with ultrasounds now.

I am almost 2 years post surgery and 1 year post treatment and my doctors have extended my meds to 10 years.

Good luck with finishing your treatment.

Donna
HIT
Member
11 years ago
Hi I too missed a 4.5cm lump and around 5cm lump total in lymph nodes. The lymph nodes they say are a bit hard to feel but a golf ball in my boob!!! But I allways did what we were advised years ago, checked myself in the shower!! Even when I knew it was there I battled to feel it standing up. I tell all my friends now lay down to check your boobs. And as they are saying in the leaflets look at your boobs, know them, any changes get them checked. Pam