Breast cancer 2 week referral

[GoodnightJude1]

Hi, I found a lump in my breast last week and am waiting for my appointment at the breast clinic next week.

Can anyone talk me through what will happen when I’m there? I feel a little bit lost….

Thanks!

Hello OP. If your breast clinic is like mine it will be a one-stop-shop. You will likely have an ultrasound and maybe a mammogram, followed by a physical examination. If the lump is very worrying, they might biopsy same day, if the imaging is reassuring they might not biopsy at all, or it might be a few weeks delay.

if they suspect cancer you will likely know that before you leave, but it will possibly be up to a week or so for formal diagnosis. Something like 90% of lumps examined are not cancerous, with risk and probability varying with your age.

There are many many causes of lumps, and most of them are not cancer. Good luck!

Thankyou @PeppermintyPatty for answering so quickly.
My GP didn’t really say much to reassure me…just, “yep that’s a marble sized lump, I’ll refer you to the breast clinic” and off I went. Then the usual million questions pop in to your head on the way home.
I’m only 40 but quite concerned as my grandma had BC twice and my auntie had it at 50 (maternal side)

I get that that wasn’t very reassuring but there isn’t very much they can say. They won’t know either way, they might suspect but they could be wrong. Hopefully the next week will go quickly for you.

Thankyou @PeppermintyPatty

The exact checks seem to vary then. I’ve had lumps checked 5 times, once was cancer. It’s always been examination by the consultant, mammogram, scan and biopsy on the same day.The biopsy was painless.

It's difficult waiting but the odds are in your favour.

I got referred to clinic and they scanned and did a biopsy there and then. They said to me that they could see the lump was harmless but had to biopsy anyway to prove it. It was a fibroadenoma.

Just to add to the reassurance (incase you're a wimp like me!), I had the call back letter from a mammogram. Lump was marble size, but deep in my breast so couldn't feel it.

The breast assessment centre was brilliant. I arrived an absolute bundle of nerves, had a repeat mammogram, ultrasound and ultimately biopsies, and left a couple of hours later knowing that 'it was more likely than not to be cancer, but it wouldn't kill me'. Nothing was painful or awkward - they were such an amazingly professional team, and I have felt well cared for throughout the process.

Obviously I hope your lump is nothing, but if it is cancer, I hope you get the level of care that I did, and it can be sorted for you quickly.

I’ve just been to the doctor this morning and I’m in the same position.

I’ve found a lump before, 8 years ago I found a lump, so GP and then 2 week appointment. Saw the consultant, then had a mammogram in the same area, then back to the consultant. Not sure what the mammogram showed, but consultant then got senior consultant (at this point half the hospital had seen my boobs!) who said I needed a biopsy. I’m a complete wuss, and found this really unpleasant. Local anaesthetic and then they make an incision in the skin to put the ‘grabber’ thing in. It was loud and I found the idea of it unpleasant, but obviously it was painless. Taped up and sent home, results came back as clear a few days later.

At least it was all done in a few weeks last time. Hopefully it’ll be quick this time too

Thanks everyone. I’m pretty tough and it takes a fair bit to scare me but it just felt like I had no idea what to expect….and that scared me!
Thanks again x

@GoodnightJude1 have you gotten your letter yet? I got mine yesterday for 1st

I had the appointment come through on my MyChart app on Wednesday

I had one of these 2 week referrals and cancer was ruled out by an ultrasound.

The doctor told me that she was very risk adverse for women of my age (which is your age) and basically always refer. So, it’s good that you are being seen so quickly, but doesn’t necessarily mean a cause for concern.

All the best with it.

Had my mammogram and biopsy on Wednesday morning and just had the results back….all fine, just a little cyst.
Thanks for the reassurance during a pretty worrying time.
Everyone at the hospital was wonderful and I’m certainly very grateful for our NHS x

Congratulations that’s great news!! Enjoy your weekend.

Brilliant - so happy for you!

Very pleased for you.

I’ve experienced the lump in breast, they will do a chat, then examination where the DR will feel the lump, then ultra sound, this may be a cyst, so ultra sound will show that, they will take measurements. Might do a mammogram.

it might be a good idea to take pain relief, ibuprofen or similar about half an hour before. It does hurt but a bit uncomfortable should they need to do a biopsy they numb the area first.

good luck, you will know everything very soon

family history will be discussed also

Cross post but I’m delighted to see your update OP!!

Glad you had a good result.