Found a lump - what happens next?

[PiratePenguin]

I found a lump over the weekend in my breast. I've filled out the online doctor's form and will wait for them to contact me. What happens next?
I am a little worried, but common sense says that many women get lumps and most turn out to benign, I am just curious about how the process works.
Has anyone been through this?

I’d expect you to be referred on the 2 week pathway.
It’s easy to say dont worry, but try not to. I’ve been referred twice and it was something simple.

Thank you! Just googled '2 week pathway' (not heard that term before) - really useful.

How old are you, do you have regular periods?

The two week pathway is no longer a target used by nhs, it was dropped September 2023 and instead replaced with a target date to get confirmation of diagnosis of cancer/ not cancer of 30 days.

i have found it 50/50 talking to nhs staff if they actually know this themselves. The gp that referred me didn’t and told me I was mistaken when I fed that back!

but I’m telling you so you don’t fall to bits like I did IF your wait for a mammogram is more than 2 weeks. Some nhs trusts still do two week rule but it’s a voluntary thing.

Gps nearly always refer lumps out of caution and if they don’t I would challenge that. You need peace of mind really.

most places will have one stop clinics since they will do ultrasound/mammogram if both or either seem necessary and unless they can see it’s clearly a cyst or something else benign will biopsy it which can take a couple of weeks.

my time from gp to cancer diagnosis was 35 days. So you will probably be fine but unfortunately might need to buckle down for a tense /miserable month.

When I found one the dr referred me on the two week pathway. Appointment was about 10 days later. I was sent to breast clinic where the specialist felt the lump am and told me she didn't think it was suspicious but sent me for an ultrasound.
The sonographer scanned it and told me step by step what she was doing and looking at and told me she couldn't see anything to worry about.
Back into the waiting room, then drs room where the Dr reviewed it. Agreed it was a fibroadenoma and harmless but told me to come back if any concerns of it growing or becoming painful. Was discharged that day.

It did grow and I was referred again but to a different hospital who were very rude with me because they didn't have the records from the other hospital. Scanned me again and disagreed with it being a fibroadenoma and that it was just fatty breast tissue. I heard them slagging me off from the waiting room that I would never have been told thats what it was. I was....I was given leaflets etc. Didnt fill me with much confidence being told two different things and with it growing.

I went to the drs a third time when it grew more and was told it had been checked twice and both times told it was nothing to worry about and I just had anxiety.....made me too embarrassed to go back. Its still there but its been about 4 years now and I'm still here so I guess ultimately it was nothing! Was so worried for so long that I stopped checking it because it turned my stomach each time to know it was getting bigger and they thought I was a hypochondriac.

Just make sure you write a list of questions before you go for any eventuality because its hard to remember at the time. Don't be afraid to ask for more information if you need that reassurance. Don't worry though, the appointments came through quick and the days ran smoothly in clinic.

I wish you all the best.

From my own experience (in 2021): I completed the online form at the weekend, a GP called me on the Monday morning to ask further questions. I saw a GP on the Tuesday who examined me and referred me to the hospital. I was seen at the hospital the following Wednesday, it seemed likely it was cancer so biopsies were done and got the actual diagnosis the Wednesday afterwards. It was 2 weeks and 2 days from speaking to the GP to official diagnosis. They were still waiting for one lot of results and I also needed a MRI.
The time will vary place to place but remember 90% of referrals aren't cancer.
Don't Google anything! I hope the GP contacts you soon and all is ok.

I'm 49. Only had one period since having my daughter 17 years ago. I have the coil though, so that might be a reason for no periods.

The two week pathway does seem to still be a thing, maybe it depends which area you are in though.
I found a lump a couple of weeks ago.
After trying unsuccessfully to ignore it, I saw the Dr on Monday evening.
On Tuesday my urgent referral was sent through.
On Wednesday I had a text message advising of an appointment tomorrow at a breast clinic.
It's a 'one stop' clinic, where they can do mammograms, ultrasounds and a biopsy if required. They have advised me it could take up to three hours at the clinic.
Obviously I'm hoping all turns out OK tomorrow, I'll try and come back and update on the experience if I can.

Just back from the doctors. Had an external examination. I'm being referred to the 'one stop' clinic for an ultra sound and biopsy if needed.
I'll try to put it out of my mind till that appt (hopefully in less than three weeks).