Scared for my mum - breast clinic appointment

I agree with pps. My referral was classed as urgent 2ww. All clear after ultrasound and mammogram

I had an examination, mammogram and biopsy all on the same afternoon and told there and then to stop taking my HRT and that they were 90% sure my lump was cancerous.

It was confirmed two weeks later by the consultant .

It is likely that they will do a biopsy if lump appears suspicious on scan.

If the tests show she definitely doesn't have cancer, they will tell her there and then. If the tests (mammogram and ultra sound) are inconclusive, they will need to do a biopsy. They will try to do that in the sane appointment if they can fit it in. Biopsies need to be tested and this can take 7 to 14 days (that was what I was quoted, it might be different in different Trusts) so you will have to wait. If she does need a biopsy, that doesn't necessarily mean she has cancer, it just means that imaging isn't quite good enough. I had mammo/ultra sound and then a biopsy all on the same day and got my results back just under 2 weeks later. It turns out I just have lumpy boobs (a couple of cysts and a fibroadenoma) all benign. I also have really clear family history of breast cancer, much more than your mum. Don't let that worry you. Don't panic if she needs Biopsies, it just means they're making absolutely sure.

You referred to it as an 'urgent' referral. I wonder if they should change the wording of that. All breast lump investigations are referred to as 'urgent'. It doesn't mean they think your mum's lump needs extra special urgent care, that's just what they call it. I do think the word 'urgent' creates even more fear.

As others have said, the chances of it being cancer are low and, even if it is, treatment is brilliant these days. Not just in terms of saving lives but also in making the treatment a million times more bearable than it used to be.

This period of the unknown is horrible, even though the odds are very good. Take care of yourself as well as your mum. And fingers crossed all is well.

Ive been through this myself. It's very understandable that you are worried, but there's every likelihood there will be a good outcome. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago. I had to have a double mastectomy but the tumours were completely removed by the surgery and I didn't need to have chemo or radiotherapy. Now I just have oestrogen blocker medication that has been found to be very effective in preventing recurrence of the cancer. Most breast clinic patients are found not to have cancer, and the vast majority of cases with cancer (including me !) have a good outcome after treatment. Your mums investigations may well find the lump is not cancer, but even if cancer is diagnosed there are wide range of effective treatment options available.

Another breast cancer survivor here. Diagnosed in June 2021 bang in the midst of Covid. I had the works, surgery, chemo, radiotherapy and then a year of injections. Now on tablets to reduce oestrogen production and honestly living a great life. I'm 57.

I know you are extremely worried about your mum but she is in amazing hands. Whatever the outcome she will get whatever treatment is needed.

I had 6 lumps checked in my 20s and 30s. Only one was cancerous and that was 8 years ago.

The treatment I received was/ is excellent (I'm still on yearly mammograms due to my age at diagnosis).

The waiting is the worst bit.

I was diagnosed with BC just over a year ago, had chemotherapy then surgery, followed by radiotherapy just before Christmas. I’m now on hormone therapy for the next 10 years, but have otherwise made a full recovery and feel absolutely fine now (long may it continue). I’m 38, and have a 7yo DC.

Try not to get ahead of yourself, and just focus on being there for whatever your mum needs as she needs it, if it comes to that. As others have said though, most lumps that are investigated are totally benign. If they suspect it to be malignant, they’ll take a biopsy to confirm, so she won’t get the results of that the same day, but in my experience, the Dr will be honest if they suspect the result is going to go a particular way.

OP, whatever the results of the investigations, the chances of you losing your Mum anytime soon are really low. This waiting is the worst bit. Good luck xx

Sorry - I don’t know how to reply to a post! 😂
From my experience they may be able to say whether it’s cancerous or not but you won’t have a formal diagnosis in terms of staging and and what treatment would be etc as that’s information they would get from a biopsy. What I will say is breast cancer is so well researched and there are so many different treatments. The pathways are also really clear with breast cancer so if that is the diagnosis things will move quickly x

I went to breast clinic while OH looked after our preschoolers. Examined by doctor, then ultrasound where they said “it’s abnormal” and sent a biopsy. 3 weeks later appointment with surgeon: cancer. 3C. That night I googled my chances and then promptly denied myself access to the internet after 8pm ever again. The treatment felt the easy part after that biopsy wait. I meditated my way through 3 weeks.

You are letting your brain race ahead unnecessarily. You need to get a grip on your anxiety. Take it one step at a time. The appointment is tomorrow which is very soon, and then you will know what you are dealing with. Until then, stop thinking about all the possible outcomes as you will drive yourself mad.

Take it from someone who has been there, you will make yourself ill if you don't get a grip on yourself and you are no use to your mum if you are a frothing mess of anxiety.

My 82 year old mum has had breast cancer 3 times, once in her 60s and twice in her 70s. The first time they removed the lump and no further treatment asw it was so early (DCIS? I think) The 2nd and 3rd times she had radiotherapy and tamoxifen. All fine. In December 2024 she was diagnosed with throay, tongue and tonsil cancer, 2 long surgeries and a neck dissection and the cancer is gone but shes on 3 monthly check ups for 2 years but it has a high recurrence rate. Honestly the word cancer is terrifying but the treatment nowadays is incredible.My grandmother lived 20 plus yeats after breast cancer in the 1980s. Ive had 2 lumps - both benign. I onderstand your worry and send my best wishes for a positive outcome but even if it is cancer there is so much excellent treatment for it.

As others have said- the waiting is awful. The fear and the not knowing.

My Mum had breast cancer, had surgery and radiation therapy and had many cancer-free years after that. Some time later she got a completely different cancer which didn’t pan out so well but it was entirely unrelated to her breast cancer. The sad fact is that cancer is very common. Obviously I hope your mum hasn’t got cancer; or if she has that it will be treatable. I’m so sorry you have this awful wait and I hope you have some real life support while you wait- perhaps from your DH or friends.

Can I suggest that you try not to Google too much or at all as it is rarely helpful when you’re at the stage you are now (ie completely in the dark). I’m rooting for your Mum. 💐

Breast cancer survivor here. I had an aggressive cancer aged 43. My kids were 6 and 4.

I am 6 years clear now. Please don’t assume every cancer diagnosis has bad outcomes. it doesn’t work that way. It’s very treatable.

I hope she’s ok.

I don't want to give you false hope, but my breast lump turned out to benign and they didn't even remove it. I just have to mention it when I go for my routine mammograms. I had been on a 2 week wait and was terrified. At my hospital you were seen assessed, had an ultrasound and a biopsy all on the same day, and were told the result later in the day. The waiting around was awful but at least I had the answer quickly. Best of luck to your mum for tomorrow. Hugs for you xx

Breast cancer has an 84% 10 year survival rate OP. Even if the news today is bad, statistically the odds of a good outcome are very much in her favour.

My friend has had breast cancer twice. She's 61 and currently in fine health and holidaying in Sri Lanka!

All the best to your family and your mum.

The investigation/ diagnosis process is very hard on everyone.

Most breast lumps are benign. There are lots of things it could be which aren’t cancer. If it’s not benign it doesn’t necessarily mean mastectomy, chemo etc, particularly in older women. For some types of cancer they will “just” remove the lump and do some radiotherapy, for example.

And if it does mean the full works of treatment it’s still not usually a death sentence. But I know it’s hard not to panic.

Be prepared that your mum might not get a diagnosis or clear answer tomorrow and almost certainly won’t get a treatment plan.

1 in 10 women referred to breast cancer clinics have breast cancer. Really hope your mum is one of the 9 in 10 who hasn’t.

The recovery rates for breast cancer are very high.

I've had 2 lumps, one was painful, one not. Both resulted in quick referral to the breast clinic from the GP, and ultrasound. Neither were cancer. One was a cyst, the other was 'yeah you've just got lumpy boobs'