Urgent Breast Clinic Referral

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Hi all,

A few weeka ago I found a lump (upper breast area) by chance as had noticed a 'dent' area where the skin dipped in. I monitored it until after my period and it was still there. Feels smooth/quite firm
and I think (?) mobile. Saw GP on Monday who had made an urgent referral and I am going to clinic on Friday. On the phone they said it was for a mammogram but no ultrasound had been requested. Is that normal? I am 47.

I am scared about having cancer and going into a hospital during the virus outbreak but I can't not know what's going on with the lump. Would the mammogram show more than the Ultrasound?

Many Thanks!

[MumOfOneAndAHalf]

Usually breast clinics are “one stop” clinics. This means that you see a doctor who takes history and examination and then requests appropriate investigations eg mammogram/and or ultrasound depending on clinical findings. It can usually all be done on the same day including a biopsy if needed. Good luck. I can’t see that any of that would be affected by Coronavirus, and hope it goes well.

[AnnaFiveTowns]

They'll give you a mammogram and then if they see anything suspicious they will give you an ultrasound, probably there and then. If it's a cyst - which it probably is - they might drain it there and then. It doesn't hurt as they numb it first and it takes about 5 minutes. If it's anything suspicious they will take a biopsy and send it off and then you'll get the results in a week usually.

You should go for your appointment, just make sure you're careful and keep washing / anti backing your hands. If you don't go you'll o my be worrying. It's not an "emergency" referral, all lumps have to be referred within 2 weeks, so thus is normal. Also, 9/10 lumps are cysts. Try not to worry. X

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Thanks all, I have had ongoing breast issues for the past 10 years - pain etc. and been told previously that they are very fibrous (?) but not had a distinct lump like this before. I last had a mammogram maybe 2 years ago. At least I don't have long to wait until Friday. Thank you x

[Theonlyoneiknow]

I am so anxious about the apt tomorrow, heart is racing and my breast is sore (stress or lump I don't know). Am so paranoid about putting myself into a hospital environment :(

[SnowsInWater]

Good luck, let us know how you go. I wouldn't stress about the hospital - they know what they are doing - it is really important to not neglect your general health in these crazy times,

[Dontsayyouloveme]

How did you get in at your appointment OP?

[memememe]

@Theonlyoneiknow how did it go? im in the same situation and going on friday. x

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Hi , sorry I didn't come back on has been a crazy busy week. All was ok - I was there for 845am and out before 10am!! I had a mammogram, nurse, consultant and ultrasound. The diagnosis was very dense breast tissue (so dense radiologist said that mammograms wouldnt be that benefical) and I am in 5% of women that have this. It was so quiet at the hospital though and they said these type of clinics you are usually there all day but as they had cut right back on cases it was very quiet.

How did you get on *memememe ?

[memememe]

glad its all ok!! i was much the same, they said allow 4 hours but i was done in 2 (i suppose if they find something you'll be there longer...) had a mammogram, and ultrasound and all is ok.

[SnowsInWater]

Glad you both got good news.

[EKGEMS]

Mammograms not that helpful? I had the most advanced available due to dense breast tissue and it detected my cancer very early

[Theonlyoneiknow]

That's good to know @EKGEMS. I will still obviously still keep having them but I think he meant that u/s is also beneficial- to be honest it's all a blur now!