Anyone referred to breast clinic? Experiences please

[CaughtInTheCovid]

Hello,

I found a lump/thickened patch in my left breast a few days ago. I’ve been to the GP (it hurt the other day when my child jumped on me and I realised I ought to get it checked). He has sent me to the breast clinic on a 2 week wait.

I’m only 33 and I’m a bit nervous. I’m also worried that I’ve had it a while and not really taken much notice which I known is really silly. I’ve 3 small kids and am now scared it’s cancer obviously.

Any reassurance?

@CaughtInTheCovid I'm sorry you are in this position. I am also waiting for an appointment from the breast clinic. I don't know what the position is in your area but I hadn't heard from the breast clinic in the timescale you would normally hear from them and I phoned them up and they said it is more like 4 -6 week wait rather than 2 weeks.

This is the third time I have had to go through this. First time I was 30 and had an ultrasound scan (as mammograms are not usually used if you are under 40). Also had a biopsy (very long fine needle). Everything was clear. Had another scare a couple of years later, again clear. Most lumps are not cancerous. I obviously have lumpy boobs! Hoping it will be the same this time, but now in my 50s so more worrying.

Many lumps turn out to be cysts, which are benign.

When I went through this when 30, I kept putting off going to see the GP, as kept telling myself it was hormonal. so was probably 6 months before I actually went to have it examined.

Fingers crossed everything will be ok for you.

Mammogram, ultrasound, consultation. In & out in under an hour, pre-covid. Excellent service, GP said it would be good, results on the day. Try not to worry.

Good luck.

I was referred due to pain and GP said he could feel a ridge which he thought was tissue but wanted to make sure. With my health anxiety I immediately thought the worse and was very teary when I went for my appointment. They couldn't have been nicer at the clinic. Very warm and calm. I had an appointment with the doctor first who examined me and was reassuring. I then had a mammogram and was called back to the doctor to be told that my GPs assessment was correct, that all was well and that I could go home.

My husband went with me, and the majority of women there did have someone with them - it was good just to chat to take your mind off things - so if you have someone to go with you I'd advise it.

I know it is frightening but please be reassured that a large number of cases that are referred turn out to be nothing. Fingers crossed that all will be well.

I have a dent in my left breast and was referred to the breast clinic about 11 years ago. They did a physical exam where he felt for lumps etc and then did an ultrasound scan. It was all clear. The dent is still there and hasn't changed at all since.

I’ve had 3 fibroids looked at in my 20s and 30s. Always had mammograms.

At my mammogram last September nobody had anyone with them. We had to wait outside until 10 minutes before appointment time, then had a waiting area allocated.

The chances are that it will be nothing. The staff are always very calm and reassuring.

I was sent 2 years ago and it was a good experience, in my case it was a cyst.

I had a mammography, unpleasant but hey, necessary and ultrasound. Due to the size of the clinic it was a full morning experience but the staff was lovely and made it as relaxing as possible.

About a month ago. 2 week fast track to breast clinic.
More detailed mammogram, examination by consultant, then spoke to the consultant, was a milk duct apparently.
(I didn’t go to university but I kinda think that there’s thousands of them in there isn’t there?)
Absolutely normal.
Whole thing done & dusted, in and out within the hour.
I agree, fantastic efficient service.
All the best.

Have been referred twice.

Once was 20 years ago, I had a biopsy, I think I just had a letter confirming that there was nothing of concern.

Last year I had a sudden painful lump, was really worried. Referred immediately, breast clinic was about ten days later. Mammogram, ultrasound, consultant at start and end. It was a harmless cyst and was drained on the day.

Always best to be checked. Good luck.

Thanks all I appreciate your stories! I hope it is within the 2 weeks just want to get it over with!

I was seen a couple of weeks ago, it was within the 2 week timescale dispite Christmas and covid.

It wasn't an all combined one stop shop like most clinics I had read about on here. And I googled everything while waiting for the appointment. I saw the consultant, who said there was a lump but he thought it was a cyst. Pain is apparently a good symptom as it suggests hormonal. I had another appointment a week later for an ultrasound scan, am 32 so no mammogram. It showed a clear cyst.

I'm a boob clinic regular (they actually joke that I need frequent flyer miles!) but I still remember how terrifying that initial wait for the appointment was. First things first, make lots of time for tlc while you wait for the appointment. Books, podcasts, long baths - anything that will stop you thinking about it. But I know that is much easier said than done.

My clinic is a one stop shop so an appointment there goes something like this.

1. See one of the consulting team who will take your history and examine your boob. Once they've had a look, they may tell you there and then that it's nothing and send you on your way or they might decide to do some further checks.
2. back to the waiting room until you're called for an ultrasound. They may also do a biopsy while you are in there.
3. back in to see the consulting team who will have a look at your scans and decide what to do next.

You'll be taking your bra on and off all the time so you might want to invest in a front fastening one. Also, take some baby wipes as the ultrasound gel is sticky and the blue towel they give you for cleaning is not the best 😀

I was referred to the breast clinic last october for a lump. My appointment was 10 days after my GP referred me.

I couldn't take anyone in with me due to covid but I took a book. I was seen and examined by the consultant, then sent for a mammogram and ultrasound before going back in to see the consultant again for the results. It turned out to be a cyst fortunately. The whole process was about an hour and half in total.

The staff were all lovely and had been when my mum had breast cancer some years ago. Calm, efficient and reassuring.

I have been to the breast clinic 3 times so I know how you feel, it is a nerve racking wait. Each time I have been seen very quickly and the staff are amazing.

The first time I was only 21 (I am now 37) and found a hard lump, which turned out to be a benign fibrodenoma.

The second time was about 3 years ago, I was getting a lot of pain. I had an ultrasound and they found a lump, which was biopsied and again was benign (I can't remember what had actually caused it).

Most recently was last October. Again I found a lump & panicked because I didn't know if I would have to wait a long time with the covid situation. I was seen the same day by my GP & got an appointment at the breast clinic within 2 weeks. It turned out to be a cyst.

The waiting is horrible and each time I was so worked up about it but they were all absolutely fine. You are doing absolutely the right thing by being checked out.

I went to the breast clinic in September within the two week referral. I saw the nurse first who said she thought it would be a cyst, then went for a mammogram followed by an ultrasound (all a very well organised and no hanging around).

The doctor who did the ultrasound also thought it would be a cyst from the mammogram but when he looked under ultrasound he diagnosed it as a fibroadenoma. Due to my age (41) this meant I had to go back and have a biopsy.

The biopsy was fine just a bit uncomfortable. They do it with ultrasound so they can see the lump. Unfortunately even with the ultrasound they missed it first time round (fibroadenomas are quite 'bouncy'!) so I had to go back the following week to have it redone.

This confirmed that it was a fibroadenoma but because of my age (41 is quite old to find a fibroadenoma) and the size of it (quite big at 3.5 cm) the surgeon said it would be best to remove it anyway so I had the lump removed in December. I've had the final histology report and it is all clear.

I feel very lucky and have nothing but praise for how well the NHS treated me especially with dealing with the Covid pressures.

Hold onto the fact that it will most likely be nothing to worry about and that you're going to be in the right place to get it sorted.

Best wishes

I’ve also been in twice and like most people it was all in one day - an appointment with consultant, then an ultrasound (never had mammogram, I assume because I’m under 40 and smaller-boobed). The ultrasound lady told me all was well and sent me home.
Once it was a small cyst, which they drained there and then (they asked me first of course!), and the other time it was just a slightly lumpy bit of boob.
My GP said they will always refer a lump, however tiny or benign it seems, and it’s always under the 2-week wait so don’t be freaked out by that.
There was a lot of waiting around so I’d take a book or something.