Vertical indent, breast clinic referral!

[Lashana83]

Hey everyone..
On Tuesday i found a vertical indent on my right breast, i only noticed it when i lifted my arm. I went into absolute panic mode thanks to my health anxiety. Was able to see my Gp on Wednesday, she had a good poke about and wasnt able to feel any lumps at all but just as a precaution she has reffered me to the breast clinc because she could see the indentation. Ive got my appointment on the 23rd and im an absolute basket case, im a 36yr old mum to 4 girls and ive convinced myself that im going to die! I feel so stupid.

Anyone else had anything similar and it turned out to be something other that the worst case scenario xx

[Sydney100]

Hi I'm sorry u are having a rough time. Me too if that helps. I have been having nipple discharge and I was told last Thursday I need surgery to find out conclusively what is happening. I too am freaking out and presuming the worst. Fingers crossed u are ok x

[Carys]

Laddiiiieeessssssss

I can't say to you yes or no, I can't say there is nothing, I can't say there is something. Only the specialists, via their tests and checks can give you the answers you need and certainly checking up on-line would be a complete waste of your time and emotional reserves.

It would be wrong to actually even give the impression that everything will be alright for everyone, as we are sensible women and know that for some women, at some point in life, there may be some need for breast treatment. However, this I can tell you, the fact that you have both been proactive and gone to get checked immediately is the best possible thing you could have done. Even IF (and it is a big IF, as most referrals to breast clinic are for benign reasons) there were some cancer cells, it would be dealt with and you would be in very early stages. This makes effective treatment and recovery the norm for the majority of women (myself included) with a high 90s percent chance of no recurrence most likely. There isn't a 'death sentence' with Breast Cancer as there used to be decades ago, it is the most treatable type and even women with stage 4 'untreatable/secondary/latest stage' breast cancer can live for many years with the right medication. So, why do I tell you this, it might seem unfair as you just want to be told 'you are fine, it is fine'....well.....I am a believer in facing possibilities and removing the fear from them. If you understand that you wouldn't be alone (this is a really really common cancer type), and you understand that the huge majority of women do just fine and move on with their lives after treatment and you know that advanced and individual targeted treatments are very effective....then it could help you rationalise the fear whilst you are awaiting your appointments. The chances are, statistically, that you will both get a good outcome. However, even if you didn't, the chances are after treatment, that you will both get a good outcome. Waiting is horrible, awful, and the mind goes off on frightening paths. There will be lots of women here who have had a vertical indentation and it be nothing, there will also be those with discharge and it be nothing, however, knowing that it was nothing for them probably won't help remove your fear that it 'might' be something for you. Happy to talk if you need to....

[Leslie735]

Hey there! I'm SO SO SO sorry you are experiencing this anxiety. I couldn't read and no reply because I went through this EXACT thing 3 and 1/2 years ago. Back in January 2016, I discovered a vertical line dent on the side of my right breast (arm side), like you, I noticed it when I raised my arm. It scared me to no end! I, thankfully, had an appointment already scheduled for my yearly gynecologist check up made for a week or so later. I pointed it out to her and she gave me an order for a mammogram and ultrasound. Thankfully, I got in a couple days later neither test found anything and the radiologist said nothing was there that it was just how my breast was. Ok, great! I celebrated and felt better for a couple days. Well, my anxiety ran crazy mainly because I was googling and reading on the breast C. forums (I don't recommend) so many stories about dents seen, no lumps, mammograms wrong yada yada. I was terrified all over again! I made an appointment with a breast surgeon and went and saw him about a month after my mammogram. He did the best breast exam I've ever had, he really took his time covering each area and explaining what he felt etc. He took a look at my dent and felt the area and said he could only feel normal tissue and that is was from me aging (I was 31 at the time) and having kids (I have 2) and past breastfeeding. Ok, great! I felt so much better and left feeling so relieved! Well, that lasted about a week before the anxiety came back, because again, I was googling and reading around on the forums and scaring myself so I made ANOTHER appointment to see him. I got in about a week later, had ANOTHER breast exam and he said the exact same thing. Well, I was still not happy, just couldn't let it go (see a trend here?) so I went back to him again. At this point, its the beginning of April 2016. At that point, I had a mammogram & ultrasound, and 3 breast exams (one by my gynecologist and 2 by the breast surgeon) all concluding it was nothing other than some stretched skin. But I couldn't relax about it so I BEGGED him to send me for a breast MRI. He gave in because he felt bad I was so hung up on this. So, at the end of April I had one (had to pay out of pocket for it), got the results a few days later, clear! Guess what it was? A stretched ligament from aging, breastfeeding, having kids or maybe a previous injury I had to the area made the ligament right there lazy so when I raised my arm it dented in slightly. I FINALLY was able to put it to bed after that. That didn't stop me from other breast worries, but it did stop that one at least. Sorry for the long story, but just wanted you to know that you're not alone, that I so understand how you feel. I bet it'll be a similar result for you, too! Praying all goes well at your appointment!! I'm here if you need to chat, just private message me. *Hugs*


ETA: The breast surgeon told me, a good way to test a "dent" is to see if you can straighten the skin out. If something is in there pulling the skin inward you wouldn't be able to make it straighten it out by tightening the skin when it appears. So, raise your arm and pull on your skin to see if it goes away. Mine did, but I didn't learn that trick until after this was all said and done. Now, I do have another dent (same breast, different area) that is more scary looking but its from a breast biopsy I had (different issue, came back benign praise God!) and that one I can straighten out as well. Now, that isn't to say that if it doesn't straighten out that its something bad it just means its a skin issue and not an internal issue. He said, a cyst, an injury etc. can also tug on the skin.

Also, I have old posts that I made on this issue if you want to search for them.

[Carys]

HI Lashana, I see you've not been back to see your replies, but hope your appointment goes well tomorrow.

[Lashana83]

Hi Ladies.. Thank you so much for all your replies, sorry i havent been on sooner but ive just been trying to keep busy so that im not constantly thinking about the what ifs!
Ive used every bit of will power i have not to google or poke and prod because I know 100% that A) its only gonna make things worse and B) its not gonna change anything.
Anyways... Appointment is a quarter past 10 tomorrow so i will pop on and let you know how i get on xx

[Leslie735]

Hi Ladies.. Thank you so much for all your replies, sorry i havent been on sooner but ive just been trying to keep busy so that im not constantly thinking about the what ifs!
Ive used every bit of will power i have not to google or poke and prod because I know 100% that A) its only gonna make things worse and B) its not gonna change anything.
Anyways... Appointment is a quarter past 10 tomorrow so i will pop on and let you know how i get on xx

Praying all goes well tomorrow!

[Lashana83]

Sooooo i went to my appointment, the staff were amazing. The consultant did an exam and said there was nothing there that concerned her but sent me through for an ultrasound and reassured me that id done the right thing by having it checked out! Another consultant did the scan and there was nothing overly concerning to her either and was happy enough to send me home! Its all put down to age, weight loss and kids! I've never been so relieved 😌

[Carys]

Yep - age, weightloss and kids certainly take their toll on boobs. LOL Glad all is well.

[Leslie735]

Sooooo i went to my appointment, the staff were amazing. The consultant did an exam and said there was nothing there that concerned her but sent me through for an ultrasound and reassured me that id done the right thing by having it checked out! Another consultant did the scan and there was nothing overly concerning to her either and was happy enough to send me home! Its all put down to age, weight loss and kids! I've never been so relieved 😌

Wonderful news! YAY! Just like mine, probably a lazy ligament/stretched skin from what you said. Age/kids take their toll that is for sure! Enjoy your weekend!