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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

anyone waiting for a breast clinic referral?

26 replies

phlebas · 12/02/2014 22:23

My GP referred me today - she said it should be two (or occasionally three) weeks. The 'thing' is in my armpit - it aches & is a bit tender, more thickened than a lump. She's prescribed antibiotics, I am trying very hard not to freak out. Can't get ideas of inflammatory breast cancer out of my head.

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Innogen · 12/02/2014 22:26

My little sister is waiting for a biopsy on her three lumps. She's only 17

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phlebas · 12/02/2014 22:29

17! Your poor sister

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Slothlorien · 12/02/2014 22:33

I was referred before Christmas and still waiting.
I will chase it up.

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malteserzz · 12/02/2014 22:34

I hope that you both get some good news soon. If you want any advice or hand holding do come over to the tamoxigang thread on here

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DontWannaBeObamasElf · 13/02/2014 09:09

I went to the clinic in January, was little over a month from GP appointment to breast clinic appointment.

Innogen I had my first visit at 18, it is daunting at any age but more so as a teenager.

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phlebas · 13/02/2014 12:05

Slothlorien, I hope you get your appointments soon, the waiting is awful.
malteserzz thank you :)
ObamasElf hope it went okay for you?

I think the antibiotics are starting to help a bit - it is less sore today (haven't needed to take any pain killers). Still feels really weird, can't really describe how but not at all right.

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paddyclampo · 13/02/2014 13:46

Not waiting right now but have been where you are SO many times - started when I was 18!

Just wanted to say Phlebas that if you are sore it is less likely to be anything sinister and more likely to be an infection / inflammation of some sort. But far better to be safe than sorry so it's good you have been referred.

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DontWannaBeObamasElf · 13/02/2014 14:06

Oh yes, sorry should have mentioned that the appointment went fine. Is just a lump, nothing sinister.

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Innogen · 13/02/2014 14:28

ObamasElf, I'm curious -and worried really.

Since your first problem at 18, has it been a life time of problems?

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Innogen · 13/02/2014 14:29

Same question to you paddy.

We are sure this isn't too sinister, just lumps to be removed and nothing cancerous.

But I'm terrified that starting so young will mean the process cycles for years. Fine a lump, be terrified, get it removed, wait for the next one

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DontWannaBeObamasElf · 13/02/2014 14:34

Innogen my first visit at 18 was for a large lump, biopsy came back as normal tissue, was actually a very large but very benign tumour which wasn't diagnosed until I was 20, totally fine, no issues apart from scar tissue. Last month was my first visit since then.

I know lots of people who have gone to the clinic for cysts, glandular and fatty tissue. I don't know anyone personally who has been diagnosed with anything serious.

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phlebas · 14/02/2014 13:09

I just found out that my paternal aunt had breast cancer when she was in her mid-40s. Previously I thought I had no family history, I'm 39 now. I guess I should pass that on to the GP.

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DontWannaBeObamasElf · 14/02/2014 13:18

Certainly let them know but please try not to worry.

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phlebas · 14/02/2014 14:25

they just called with an appointment date - 12 days time (day before my birthday!). DH has booked the day off work & if I can find someone to take my youngest 2 (I'm sure MIL would but I don't want to worry her) he'll come with me.

Thanks Obama ... it's nice to have a bit of virtual moral support!

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DontWannaBeObamasElf · 14/02/2014 14:28

I've had great support on MN the past week or so and I've been in your position so I'm more than happy to pay it forward.

I went in, saw the consultant, had an ultrasound then a needle biopsy. There was a bit of sitting around while they looked at it. I was there for about 3-4 hours.

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paddyclampo · 14/02/2014 14:54

Innogen I can't lie to you, I had lots more lumps - BUT all of them were benign. Mainly fibroadenomas but also cysts. Strangely enough they seemed to disappear when i got pregnant at 28. I never developed another breast lump after that!

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Innogen · 14/02/2014 19:09

Paddy is okay. It's what we think will happen to my sister. Our aunts have had similar experiences, and my sister already has pcos.

She just seems very cyst-y Iyswim?

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MrsBonkers · 17/02/2014 02:59

Sorry to hijack, but what happens at the clinic? How invasive is it?
Been putting off going to doctor for a while as I think its just thickening and I have other health issues I want docs to take seriously. Don't want them to think I'm a hypochondriac (sp?)

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Innogen · 17/02/2014 04:03

I'm not sure because I've never been personally, but you should go. Any changes are taken very seriously and it is better to be safe than sorry, and stuff like this is best caught early.

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DontWannaBeObamasElf · 17/02/2014 08:19

MrsBonkers You undress your top half and the doctor examines you. If they feel it necessary they will refer you to the breast clinic. It's usually two weeks but longer if the GP is pretty sure it's not sinister. But most are two weeks depending on how busy the clinic is.

When you get there you meet the consultant and he/she asks basic questions and examines again. Depending on your age you will be sent for a mammogram or ultrasound, maybe both and if anything unusual is seen a needle biopsy is taken. That's a bit stingy but not that bad at all.

You'll have your boobs out a lot but you'll be given a gown to protect your modesty.

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paddyclampo · 17/02/2014 19:09

There'll be a nurse there at all times, and the breast care nurses are lovely people.

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MrsBonkers · 17/02/2014 22:07

Thanks DontWanna. I have to go to Dr's every couple of months for other things, so I'll mention it next time I'm there.

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Catlou18 · 21/12/2017 22:45

Hi
I'm new here but promised myself if post after my recent referral to the breast clinic.
I brought myself to this page initially befire I had my results and wanted to share my story as I was so scared when I was referred twice in 6 months!
So in June I found a thickening a slight change of great size. After a visit to my gp she agreed the difference and that I needed a referral which came thriugh in two weeks.
On referral to the breast clinic after a sleepless 10 days and worried sick I was lucky enough to be discharged as the specialist breast nurse didn't feel any thickening and thought it was down to me also having immflamation of the rib joints from heavy lifting at work. (I had pain too aswel as my other concerns).

Just when I thought all was going swimmingly with no worries... this month December I find a lump in my other Breast! Panic worry scared mix of emotions. Round two of referred over to the great clinic after the gp confirms feeling a lump of 5cm in size!!! I was in shock firstly she felt anything as I thought maybe I was imagining the lump but when she said she felt it too I panicked.

So referred and off I went to the clinic another 8 days of worry and searching frantically on Google which is a big no no and strongly wouldn't advise as it just scared you senseless.
Again I was lucky and told it was just a normal breast lump and the specialist could feel many lumps after i argued with her to give me an ultra sound! She wouldn't as she was pretty good as spotting any lumps that needed further investigation assuring me that she felt 40 breasts a day and knew which mine was.
I've read a lot that 9/10 lumps are just normal breast lumps and feel the need to spread some relaxing vibes on this forum as twice I was reffered and nothing found to be anything worrying.
My heart goes out to all ladies worrying about recent referals please just remember my story to help put your mind at ease at least a little as I know the wait it dreadful and no one wants to be refered.

To add there are amazing treatments out there and lots of positive stories also of people who were that unlucky 9th person out of 10 to get the not so good result. I convinced myself somethig was wrong and looked further into treatment and do believe we are very lucky to have such a fantastic nhs and will one day beat these cruel diseases people face.

Good luck to everyone on here and a huge Merry Christmas :)

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PinkChestnut · 22/12/2017 21:20

Thank you Catlou :) glad you have gotten the all clear!

I've just been referred and am waiting for an appointment letter. Unfortunately already googled and convinced myself of the worst :( trying to forget about it til Christmas is over now!

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Catlou18 · 23/12/2017 07:29

Hi Pink Chestnut!
So sorry your having to go through the awful wait over Christmas.
Try to keep busy and stay positive, there are so many things these lumps could be and lots of women who havnt posted on here also have nothing sinister going on just lumpy boobs which change throughout your cycle!!
Cysts are a very common problem and increase in size with hormone levels so sometimes you don't even know they are there.
Crossing everything for you and everyone else waiting on referrals. It's a super scary time but majority of the time we worry ourselves sick over nothing.
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