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Original poster

Would you trust GP regarding breast lump

125 replies

Notateacher2020 · 09/04/2021 18:14

Hi all,

In summary- smooth flat/slightly rounded disk sort of thing in breast. Perfect circle. Like a squashed very small grape! Not omg noticeable but I've felt it so its there.....
Went to GP this week, one whom I feel has lots of experience and I usually trust whole heartedly with other things. Mental health for example.

She felt lump and said it's too smooth to be cancer. She has felt cancer and it doesn't feel like that. She said it feels like normal tissue or glandular. She told me to forget about it.

Would you? Without a scan? I really want to trust her but have a little voice in my head, what if.
Suffer with a little anxiety in general so that doesn't help things.

What are your thoughts?

OP posts:
Original poster
Notateacher2020 · 10/04/2021 09:36

Yes i will definitely get a scan one way or the other. Better to be sure!

OP posts:
IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 10/04/2021 09:50

You can book a private mammogram and speed up the process if you wish or the second opinion doesn’t include a scan. Worthwhile for peace of mind.

theteachesofpeaches · 10/04/2021 09:54

@TheVanguardSix

My DH is a GP. EVERY lump is investigated. Every single patient with a breast lump is referred. You cannot tell if a lump is cancerous by palpation. If that were the case, who'd bother with mammograms? Your GP is sailing so close to the wind. If your GP does not refer, even after you request a referral, pay for a private mammogram and put in a complaint to the practice. Best of luck, OP. Flowers
This is correct- all breast lumps, even ones where cancer is not suspected, need to be referred on the 2 week wait breast pathway for diagnostic testing, which means you should be seen within 2 weeks.

The NHS guidance about this is clear, and your GP should know this. I would be making a complaint to the practice manager.

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Original poster
Notateacher2020 · 10/04/2021 10:29

God I've already wasted a week waiting for the first appointment :-( not great looking back.
I will let you all know how i get on on Monday and will go from there- thank you 😊

OP posts:
agentmichaelscarn · 10/04/2021 10:39

It's more than likely fine (sorry my first post sounded so harsh reading it back but it's only because I feel v strongly about it!). I remember reading it's something like 90% of breast clinic referrals aren't serious but I'm so glad you're getting seen one way or another and wish you lots of luck and good health. I'm sure you'll be fine Star

Original poster
Notateacher2020 · 10/04/2021 10:43

@agentmichaelscarn thank you. It didn't read harsh, I needed a reality check!

OP posts:
Original poster
Notateacher2020 · 10/04/2021 11:44

Just want to let you all know that my GP emailed me back, on a Saturday! She is sending me on the 2 week pathway, no questions. I'm pleased, well as much as you can be in this situation.
Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Lordamighty · 10/04/2021 11:49

Well done, it’s what the GP should have done in the first place without you having to push for it.
I’m sure everything will be ok but better to have the reassurance of a full check up at the breast clinic.
I have been through the same myself & it turned out to be a cyst.

StormyLovesOdd · 10/04/2021 11:53

My GP was 100% convinced my lump was nothing to worry about, I wanted to make sure he was right so pushed to be referred and it was cancer. 5 years on after chemo, mastectomy and a breast reconstruction I'm ok now thank goodness but I often thank my lucky stars I didn't just accept my GP's diagnosis.

I hope yours is nothing OP but please ask to be referred to the breast clinic to make sure x

CatChant · 10/04/2021 11:55

Good to hear. Best of luck OP.

Original poster
Notateacher2020 · 10/04/2021 12:16

She did say in the email, that she wasn't sure breast clinic would pick it up as she thinks it's all normal...

There's no way GP could phrase it on the form to put them off seeing me?

OP posts:
CatChant · 10/04/2021 12:54

I think the consultant will make up his or her own mind regardless of the GP's opinion. After all enough of us on this thread have had GPs who thought there was nothing wrong with us before we saw a consultant.

FindingMeno · 10/04/2021 13:25

I think they do triage referrals at the breast clinic, or at least that's the gist of what I was told.
Hopefully if it is that the breast clinic decide you don't need to be seen, it will be because of a more specific expertise informing that decision.
And I guess you could possibly ask for a fuller explanation of the decision if that were the case and you're still not happy.

Troyhelena · 10/04/2021 13:29

Why is the GP spouting such utter nonsense? Why was she so reluctant to do her job properly and now trying to make out that other people won’t be interested? They will be. That’s what the clinic is there for Confused very odd and completely unacceptable

Mugginyouleftrightandcentre · 10/04/2021 13:52

Great news that your GP is sending you, but I still don't understand why she would be reluctant. Any change to the breast is supposed to be referred, cancer doesn't just show up as a lump.

Another anecdote, but Emma Agnew, the wife of cricket commentator Jonathan has told her story of breast cancer - she had already had a clear mammogram the year before and her only symptom was that she had a loss of sensation in her nipple and it wasn't 'reacting' as it should. She went to her GP, they couldn't feel or see anything at all, but they said that as it was a change they would refer, and it was cancer.

The overwhelming chance is that yours is nothing OP - the vast majority of breast referrals are nothing. I'm sorry for hijacking the thread a bit!

But it really pisses me off that myths about breast cancer are still being peddled and that apparently some GPs are still believing them - that cancerous lumps are never smooth and round, that pain is not a sign of breast cancer, that women under 30 don't get breast cancer. It's just bullshit.

Anyway, so glad you are getting a referral OP, and hopefully you will be updating us soon to say that you have been given the all clear! Smile

2bazookas · 10/04/2021 14:20

I would insist on mammography. She will have to refer you as GP's don't provide that service.

Squidelicious · 10/04/2021 14:39

Yes I would trust my GP, actually most of the GPs in my practice.

Mammograms are useless if you are under 40ish - insisting on something that is useless is pretty pointless. Then can do an ultrasound, and may do a biopsy, but again, biopsies can come with risk and isn't always a great way forwards in some cases.

I hope all is OK OP.

Mugginyouleftrightandcentre · 10/04/2021 14:47

Mammograms are useless if you are under 40ish - insisting on something that is useless is pretty pointless.

They are not 'useless'. My (very round, very smooth!) tumour showed up as clear as day on the mammogram of my well under 40 year old boobs!

There are certainly issues with mammograms on younger women, but they are definitely not useless.

Squidelicious · 10/04/2021 14:49

@Mugginyouleftrightandcentre I was told that by a consultant in the Breast Surgery team just the other week (I actually have had several, in a different hospital over the previous years)... They panicked that is how the diagnosis had been made - had an ultrasound and MRI that day.

Glad yours showed up but I'll go with the Consultants use of the word useless still!

Delamero · 10/04/2021 14:58

Gosh get it booked ASAP. I’m disappointed your doctor took that approach. I have lots of cysts and my doctor could easily have dismissed mine as being another cyst.

I am currently awaiting a lumpectomy, there is no family history and I am 44. It was found quite by chance but it I had waited it could have been a very different outcome. As it is having the op is going to be a relief.

I say this with no exaggeration the last few months have been awful. Personally I would remind your doctor of the 2 week pathway.

You will probably find it is a cyst but it is imperative you are checked out.

RoomForPud · 10/04/2021 15:03

I had a large round hard lump in my breast, I ignored it for months and it sometimes felt painful. Eventually went to GP didn’t think it was cancer but referred me to breast clinic, she said any breast changes warrant a referral. Clinic seen me within 48 hours. I had a scan then core needle biopsy the same day, turned out to be a hamartoma and not anything to worry about. For peace of mind I’d push for a referral.

Chailatteplease · 10/04/2021 15:06

No I wouldn’t accept it. Had a relative consistently told by GP that her lump was a cyst and it turned out to be cancer.
Not wishing to scare you OP, I know how crippling health anxiety can be but I wouldn’t take the risk of accepting an opinion without a scan. Although, that said, a smooth perfectly round lump does indicate a benign cause, so I’d insist on the scan but also reassure myself with that.

quince2figs · 10/04/2021 18:28

Glad to hear your persistence has resulted in a referral, OP.
Keeping my fingers crossed that it is good news - please do let us know

Original poster
Notateacher2020 · 10/04/2021 19:02

Thanks all for your messages this afternoon. I have been away, trying to distract myself from boob prodding :-(
I have definitely done the right thing. I am a bit worried they won't prioritise my referral but hoping the GP is wrong and i am seen.
I am planning to chase it up on Monday and call the clinic to say that i can attend any cancellations that may come up. Will definitely keep you all posted!

OP posts:
Cokecake · 10/04/2021 19:21

I’m surprise with the gp comment that the clinic might not pick you up. If so I would go a private one. I wouldn’t just trust the gp.