News & Stories
Autumn 2026 Participant Newsletter
In this edition, two Breast Cancer Now Generations Study participants share their personal experiences of being diagnosed with benign breast disease. They reflect on how their condition was discovered, the information and support they received, and whether the diagnosis influenced their health or lifestyle choices.
Participants share their experiences of being diagnosed with benign breast disease
Karen L.
Breast Cancer Now Generations Study participant Karen L. shares her experience of finding several breast lumps and explains why accessible, reassuring breast services matter.
-
Over the past 20 years, I have found around four breast lumps. None of them were malignant, and I was reassured that they were benign. The first was discovered in 2003 and the most recent in October 2024.
The lumps were not all found in the same way. I noticed one because it was tender to the touch and felt quite large. I found the most recent lump, which was about the size of a pea, while having a shower.
I was not offered any special follow-up appointments after each diagnosis, but I was advised to continue attending routine breast screening and to check my breasts regularly.
Looking back, I feel the information I received was appropriate. Most importantly, the clinic reassured me that the lumps were not cancer.
The diagnoses did not lead me to make any particular health or lifestyle changes. Although I know that regular breast checking is important, I acknowledge that my own checks can be a little ad hoc.
One lump used to become tender around the time of my period, but it is now rarely tender, and I often forget about it. Since reaching menopause, it has become easier to forget to check my breasts. I also find touching the lumps uncomfortable, even though I understand why checking matters.
I feel reassured by the care and information I’ve received and, in my experience, the service for assessing breast lumps in Coventry has improved considerably.
Michelle G.
Breast Cancer Now Generations Study participant Michelle G. shares her experience of benign disease after a routine mammogram discovered a mass in her left breast
-
In 2011, a routine mammogram revealed a mass in my left breast. Given my strong family history of breast cancer - having lost my mother, aunt, and cousin, all at a young age - my consultant had recommended annual mammograms to monitor my breast health.
Following the discovery of the mass, I underwent a biopsy, during which a sample of the tissue was removed for testing. The wait for the results was particularly difficult, lasting eight weeks and bringing a great deal of uncertainty and worry. Fortunately, I was eventually told that the mass was benign.
After receiving the diagnosis, I was presented with two options, a preventative double mastectomy or continued annual mammogram screening. I chose to continue with regular mammograms. However, around five years ago, my screening schedule was changed to once every three years, meaning I have had only two mammograms in the past five years.
The experience influenced several health-related decisions. I made lifestyle changes to be as healthy as possible and, when I entered menopause, decided not to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because I had been advised that it could contribute to my breast cancer risk.
One question I would most like researchers to answer is whether having a benign breast mass affects future breast cancer risk. Does a previous benign diagnosis make someone more likely to develop a malignant tumour later, or does it indicate a lower level of risk?