Urgent breast cancer referral

[Beautifulbouquet]

I've been referred today.

My lump is one third the size of my breast (doctors words. I just think it's massive!). It is hard. It is an irregular shape. It is very painful even when not touched.

Do you think it will be a mammogram? I can't think how painful that will be!!

Will they look at both breasts?

Lump appeared fully sized overnight.

Thanks for any advice or experiences. Obviously I know 90% of referrals aren't cancer and you can't diagnose it for me!

Might be an ultrasound instead of a mammogram depending on your age as breast tissue is denser when younger so mammograms aren't as clear.

I've been through the same when younger and had an ultrasound and biopsy. All was ok in the end but the waiting for the appointment and tests was not easy! Hope you get seen and sorted soon op

Hi, it must be scary. All I can say is that my mum had substancial lumps running from her armpit down into her breast, and the doctor was pretty convinced it was cancer. She had a mammogram and a biopsy and was confirmed as non cancerous tissue build up. That has since all disappeared. Got all my fingers crossed for you. She did have the biggest bruise on her breast though!

I didn't find mammograms painful but others may.

I wonder if it could be a fluid filled cyst?

I had an indentation which was caused by a cyst of pooling lymph in the middle of the breast. Had a mammogram and ultrasound.

If they are doing a mammogram both breasts will be done.

The examination was of both breasts as far as I remember. But the ultrasound was only the affected breast.

I’m the biggest wimp going and I didn’t find the mammogram painful or even uncomfortable so no need to worry about that OP. Best of luck

Thanks. I mean touching the breast at all is so painful / doctors exam painful so I was worried about the mammogram!!! My mum has complained about them being painful without any tennis ball sized lumps!

Even if it is ill have to put up with it I guess lol xx

Ah of course. Sorry I forgot the lump was sore. Mention it to the radiographer.

Try not to worry 💐. You're doing the right thing getting it sorted.

They may give you advice on not using talc or deodorant for the mammogram - just a heads up. (Could be wrong about the deodorant)

Hospital rang on Friday. The urgent two weeks referral has been upgraded to a very urgent 48 hour referral.

I'm going in tomorrow.

Has anyone else had this??? Obviously grateful to be seen quickly but the 48 hour referral seems quite rare for adults.

I have no experience of this so I can't help put your mind at ease, but I just wanted to wish you well.
Try not to panic and take comfort in the fact that you don't have to wait much longer.

I've no experience of this but I'd say they want to see you sooner as the lump has appeared overnight and is large. Could still just be a large cyst.

I know it's hard not to be concerned (I've been to the breast clinic a few times) but as the other poster said, at least you are being seen soon. 💐

if its a one stop breast clinic then they do everything at your appointment and can often tell you what it is likely to be.
I’ve been 4 times in the last 5 years.
They checked both breasts, I had mammogram, and ultrasounds. They are reviewed while you wait. If it’s a cyst they drain them there and then.

Hope it all goes well. X

Thanks lovelies. You've really calmed me down.

I'll let you know how it goes xx

Good luck OP. I had a painful lump in my breast earlier this year and was terrified but the Dr I saw said pain was a "good" thing as cancer is not normally painful. I had a biopsy anyway as I was so worried and, as he'd expected, it was nothing.

At our hospital its a one-stop shop so if over 40 you have mammogram, and ultrasound and biopsy and meet with doctors if thought needed. Mammogram didn't hurt me. My lump also appeared overnight. Hope yours isn't cancer, most aren't but mine was (lobular) and the sooner its found if it is the better. Mine was painful.

Now you're not to let it get to you. You're in good hands tomorrow.

I had a long wait to get to the clinic once ( I got COVID during 2021 just as I was about to go and had to cancel). During the wait to attend, I read about US women dealing with scanxiety as they have yearly mammograms. One woman said you've got to face the fear head on and take a run at it and get checked out. So I kind of have that as my mantra.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow 💐

I've only gone and got bloody COVID again.

I wonder with the pain if they think it could be an abscess so want you in quickly to get it drained if it needs it.

Thank you. I hope you are doing ok. I really appreciate you sharing your experience as this does sound similar to me. A nurse friend has looked at it and though not a specialist I think is quite concerned.

Little more than 24 hours til the appointment and the one stop shop concept sounds fabulous.

Good luck op 💐

I agree with this. And I don't have kids or a partner so a lot of the worries other women will have I don't have. It's just me so that makes it easier.

Keeping busy by cleaning!!!!

Good luck OP.

I think if it's something that large over night then although it's horrible and painful I wouldn't be overally worried that it is anything sinister.

I hope they manage to sort it for you quickly tomorrow to ease any pain. Try not to worry x

I had a suspicious lump in the summer. It was irregular and firm but painless. I was referred on the 2 week pathway. Had a physical exam, mammogram and ultrasound (was 40 at the time). Diagnosed fluid filled cyst that was drained during the ultrasound.

The mammogram was uncomfortable but not painful. Hoping for positive news for you 🙏

I’ve had two separate breast cysts, came up overnight, painful. Both times seen within a week, drained at the breast clinic on the day. They’d gone down a bit by the time I was seen so the mammogram wasn’t too painful. Good luck with your appointment.

Yes the one stop shop is really good, obviously cancer checks are never pleasant but having it done in one go is better than having to go multiple times. Mine felt like a walnut and was a similar size, did appear overnight, which lobular breast cancer does, grows as a spiders web to start with. I was diagnosed in late 21, first GP dismissed second GP said over phone that is definitely cancer. When I raised my arm it went quite misshapen. But most referrals it is a benign cause and hope it will be for you. I finished treatment in August 22, apart from Tamoxifen hormone tablets and the delayed DIEP reconstruction which is cosmetic from mastectomy but long NHS lists if delayed so was in Sept 24 and I have had no evidence of cancer on scans since after the second surgery in Jan 22. I did need chemo but a lot of people don't. At this stage would just distract yourself, could well be all clear. And if not its a rough time during treatment but then you get your life back and I've travelled to Borneo, Maldives, Mauritius since, had my DD start Oxford Uni and about to start my dream job abroad. Obviously it can come back at stage 4 but again you are best just to live life and not focus on that. That gets easier with time. There's a lot of support for cancer.