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Original poster

Should I be worried at quick referral?

26 replies

TomAllenWife · 31/03/2022 14:34

Went to see GP last night at 6pm about breast lump

She said she would do an urgent referral and I would be seen within 2 weeks

The breast clinic phoned me this morning and offered me an appointment tomorrow Shock which I can't do
So they've offered me Monday

Now I'm super paranoid Sad

OP posts:
WoolyMammoth55 · 31/03/2022 14:38

Hi OP, it means that you're being checked quickly which is good.

I'm not a HCP but a few years ago I was worried about a skin bump and got referred for an appointment within 24 hours.

I spent the whole time shaking and in tears and they did a small biopsy and it was all fine.

Just because it warrants a fast track check, does not mean it's cancer.

Wish you all the best, try not to worry! x

SheWoreYellow · 31/03/2022 14:39

They might have lots of cancellations because of covid.

SheWoreYellow · 31/03/2022 14:40

Sorry, that was a bit blunt! So it might just be that they have spaces that they’ll want to fill.

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BigWoollyJumpers · 31/03/2022 14:43

I understand completely how you feel. I got a call back from a mammogram and was seen within the week. It's hell, all sorts of horrible thoughts. Turns out the mammogram folded some breast skin over, so it looked "odd". I had another mammogram and an ultrasound, and got to see a consultant. All good.

A few years ago I was also referred under the 2 week rule and seen that week. Turns out I am very "cysty", which is great, but doesn't help with the stress of finding lumps.

I think it is good you are being seen quickly, I think it is pretty much the norm for breast issues these days, and that can only be a good thing.

I hope all goes well xx

Jaxinthebox · 31/03/2022 14:47

The breast clinic try to see women as quickly as possible. Im going to assume the same as many departments in NHS that lots of cancellations due to covid.

Please try not to worry (easier said than done) but you will be well looked after, I promise. And I do work for NHS, also had a lump last year and the breast care team were amazing. I

ts like a 1 stop shop in our borough in SW Scotland, you see the consultant, have mammogram and US in same day and get your results. I hope all is well.

KirstenBlest · 31/03/2022 14:51

Hi @TomAllenWife, I found a lump a few years ago and was seen within 3 weeks. I was worried sick. It turned out to be a cyst.

You are being seen quickly, which is good because even if it does turn out to be a lump, it might not be malignant, and if it is, they'll be dealing with it without delay.

Wishing you good luck Flowers

JosephineDeBeauharnais · 31/03/2022 14:53

@SheWoreYellow

They might have lots of cancellations because of covid.
This is the most likely scenario. I was called yesterday to go in for a procedure next week when I was expecting to wait six weeks. The irony is that I can’t take up the appointment because I’ve got Covid…
RosieLemonadeAndSugar · 31/03/2022 15:00

Did the GP who referred you say anything? I'd try not to worry and just hope its a quick appointment due to covid cancellations! I had to wait the full two weeks and it was horrible! Luckily all was ok!

TodayWeShark · 31/03/2022 15:04

In our GP area the only way you can do a breast lump referral is via the 2WW path - I was referred in the morning and seen that afternoon - but it was explained to me that this may happen due to the fact that that was the only referral option.

It's good to be seen quickly, I do hope you are OK. I was in the clinic for quite a long time (7 hours) so do take water a book with a snack!

Original poster
TomAllenWife · 31/03/2022 15:07

Thank you all for your support.
They said this will be a 20 minute mammogram appointment then I will have to go back to see the consultant for results

OP posts:
Thingsdogetbetter · 31/03/2022 15:10

Happened to me with MRI scan for possible brain tumour. Told within 6 weeks, but got a phone call at work 3 days later to come in that afternoon. Total freakout panic. Turns out there'd been a cancellation and as I was the last person referred, my file was on the top of the pile.

They'll have no idea if your case is more urgent than the other referrals that come in. Much more likely that is was administratively easier to call you than others.

whineybing · 31/03/2022 15:11

I'm a medical secretary in a GP surgery. Please don't worry, in the area I work in all breast problems have to be referred via the 2ww pathway. The overwhelming majority of the referrals we do for breast problems are nothing to worry about.

tryanotherone123 · 31/03/2022 15:12

2 week referral is a standard across NHS for anyone who presents to the GP with certain symptoms.

In itself it's nothing to worry about. I had one for a breast lump which turned out to be nothing.

Simplelobsterhat · 31/03/2022 15:15

I had same timeframe last year and it was all fine so try not to panic. In my case I got the impression all along that the gp thought I was nothing and was putting my mind at rest/ double checking by referring, so I think the speed was a combination of standard process and spare mammogram appointments, not it bring seen as urgent. I did have to wait a few weeks between mammogram and consultant appointment for results though so that was very nerve-wracking. But nothing there. Hope it's the same for you.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 31/03/2022 15:18

The two week referral is normal if you present with potential cancer symptoms, so please try not to worry :)

TodayWeShark · 31/03/2022 15:19

@TomAllenWife Yes, similar to me - I had a few other bits and pieces after the mammogram and then saw a consultant in the evening.

It was nothing serious in my case. I was just very hungry and grumpy by the end of it!

BSky · 31/03/2022 15:20

As much as this sounds really stressful an urgent referral is a nationally set target where patients should be seen within two weeks and GPs think this is more appropriate than a routine referral which can be around six weeks for investigations and up to 18 weeks for treatment. This means you are getting the nhs as it should be and IF anything is found treatment can be given. Early diagnosis and treatment means better outcomes.
Please note only around 3% of these referrals end up as a cancer diagnosis. As people have described here there are lots of non serious explanations of what can be found.

GPs are incredibly knowledgeable but they do not have the expertise to rule in or out certain things and that's why they refer on. It sounds like you're in safe hands. Hope all goes ok on Monday.

Chloemol · 31/03/2022 15:51

It’s because of the two week referral, not necessarily something to worry about

peachy3 · 31/03/2022 16:00

I had the same thing in 2020, which I was extra freaked about as you could barely get a doctors acknowledgment that year let alone a quick referral. Luckily my breast lump was just a fatty lump so nothing to worry about but I was happy to just know ASAP than have to wait weeks or months for an appointment. Totally understand your worry but you’ll be grateful to know as soon as you can as if there is anything that needs treating they can plan for you straight away. Fingers crossed for you that you’re all clear Flowers

CrowUpNorth · 31/03/2022 16:00

The threshold for when to make referrals under the 2 week wait potential cancer pathways is designed to get people seen quickly if there is only a 1 in 20 chance of cancer. Because they need to be seen within 14 days they are good at filling any cancellations so getting a next day appointment isn't a sign of something bad!

NeedleNoodle3 · 31/03/2022 16:06

The same thing happened to me, 10 days after going to the doctor I had seen a consultant and had a mammogram. I had a calcium lump that had been there for years and was harmless and everything else was fine. I was so impressed with the NHS.

passport123 · 31/03/2022 16:13

Probably just means someone has cancelled their appt at short notice.

dontgobaconmyheart · 31/03/2022 16:58

The two week pathway for this is a standard one OP, if that helps.

It's most likely that there has been a cancellation and they are ringing around to fill it. If you'd declined it would go to the next on the list.

I attend hospital appointments often (including a similar referral last year to the breast clinic on the 2 week pathway- all was fine, just a cyst, was given the findings on the day after a physical examination and an ultrasound) and they do often ring around with cancellations to fill appointment slots, so I often go at short notice.

Hope all goes well, try to remember any worse case scenario is very unlikely and the appointment is to rule out something serious, not because anyone suspects or firmly believes it is something serious.

Original poster
TomAllenWife · 31/03/2022 21:01

Thank you all
There's a family hx which makes me worry more.
DP is away tomorrow until Monday too Sad

OP posts:
OldWivesTale · 31/03/2022 21:08

All breast lumps should be seen within two weeks. 90% turn out to be nothing serious.

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