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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have insisted on referral to breast clinic?

30 replies

DuckAndPancakes · 28/02/2018 12:10

I noticed a dimpling on one of my breasts when I wasn’t pregnant with DC2 2 years ago. Put it down to potential hormones etc.
Dimpling is still there and have had random pain symptoms as well as mastitis three times in that breast and LO seems to dislike feeding from it.

Visited doctors last week. GP said she couldn’t feel any lump but would get partner GP to look at it. Had that appointment this morning. She also couldn’t feel any lump and said she wasn’t concerned as it may be scar tissue from mastitis (which occurred after I first noticed this). She couldn’t give me a definitive explanation for the change or any reason for it to be simple/puckering when I move.

I said I wasn’t happy to have no idea what’s going on and not understand why this is there. There has been the story in the news recently of the lady who had no signs but a dimple under her breast (the same as me) and when I mentioned this she rolled her eyes and said she would refer me to breast clinic as I was being insistent.

Am I wasting people’s time? I’m feeling far more paranoid after discovering my DF has cancer and has done for the last few years.

OP posts:
viques · 28/02/2018 12:18

No, you are not wasting anyone's time. you have done the right things, checked your breasts, noted changes and spoken to your doctor. Going to the clinic will I hope give you reassurance that nothing is wrong which will stop you getting anxious and stressed, if however the clinic finds cause for concern( though chances are they won't) then you will get help if it is needed.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 28/02/2018 12:22

That's not good OP. Dimpling is one of the things that needs looking at where BC is concerned.
Hope everything is ok but you're right to ask for it to be checked out.

beepthemeep · 28/02/2018 12:43

YAabsolutelyNBU.

Ignore the eye rolling. It's positive that she thinks it's nothing, which is good, but she can't tell from looking/poking alone. You are absolutely right to have it checked out further.

Hopefully it's nothing more than random fat distribution on the breast, but lots of luck with the appointment.

Flynnshine · 28/02/2018 12:44

No. Don't feel bad and don't feel that you are wasting anyone's time. I've been where you are but I was lucky my GP was great. The breast clinic actually thanked me for going and said if I was ever concerned about anything to push to see them. Thankfully my concerns turned out to be a few cysts.
Don't ever leave these things to chance. If it does nothing but put your mind at rest then that is good enough. Breast cancer treatment costs a lot more than a quick ultrasound to rule out a concern.
Good luck OP x

Flynnshine · 28/02/2018 12:47

Too add to that, the breast consultant that physically examined me before my ultrasound gave a different diagnosis, the ultrasound confirmed he was completely wrong so the GP should not be assuming anything without a proper scan! x

blondebuddha · 28/02/2018 12:57

Never feel bad for felling a GP you want a second opinion. You know your body better than they do (as much as they won't admit it)

Good luck x

Alwayslumpyporridge · 28/02/2018 13:01

The breast clinic will be lovely with you, try not to dwell on the GP appointment. You have done the right thing.

TitaniasCloset · 28/02/2018 13:16

Don't feel bad at all. Years ago a friend of mine had trouble with her breasts, she kept going to her GP with it over the course of a year and he kept sending her away because she had "young beautiful breasts", she was 27 at the time but had severe mental health issues which I think is why he didn't take her seriously.

One day she went in and brought her blood soaked night dress with her. The GP freaked out, sent her for an emergency biopsy and while she was there they realised she needed a mastectomy and had to operate to save her life. Then Ashe was burnt badly with the radio therapy but that's another story.

My point is, her story taught me to take these things seriously, if it turns out to be nothing, great and you will have peace of mind. No point constantly feeling anxious over something they can check.

Original poster
DuckAndPancakes · 28/02/2018 13:34

Thank you all.

Having two GPs tell me it’s nothing to worry about but not being able to tell me what it was just didn’t seem right. I know there’s a huge change and an obvious difference between breasts. I’m only 28 so know my chances are high that there’s nothing to worry about but it doesn’t fully put my mind at ease. Hopefully I’ll get the appointment through fairly quickly and be able to go along and be suitably calmed down or dealt with if necessary.

Fingers crossed it is nothing to worry about. Thank you again for reassuring me I wasn’t being silly to push for more investigations.

OP posts:
Cookiesandwine · 28/02/2018 13:42

I’m sure everything is fine, but I’m really glad you were insistent. I was misdiagnosed for a long time (not BC) and I now tell all of my friends/family, they must advocate for themselves.

Drs have a huge workload and short appointments. You have to really make your case. I am never rude, but I always stand my ground now. Forget about the GP, that was unkind of them, but just focus on the next appointment and getting this all sorted.

borlottibeans · 28/02/2018 13:52

YANBU. I lost an aunt to cancer (not breast) because the GP wouldn't take her symptoms seriously until it was too late and she was too polite to push it.

CrispsForTea · 28/02/2018 14:40

YADNBU! I've heard that doctors tend to brush young women off as there is a much lower risk, but these things are much more treatable when theyre diagnosed early. I'm sure it's nothing, but if you're worried then you need to put your mind at rest (also think GP was BU to roll their eyes at a concerned patient).

Original poster
DuckAndPancakes · 28/02/2018 15:33

MY researching into my dads cancer diagnosis also worried me as apparently a familial history of prostate cancer in men can increase a woman’s chance of breast cancer.

I somewhat understand her eye rolling as I’m sure doctors have to deal with an increase in patients that have seen things on Facebook or in the news that are without symptoms but panicking.

Now very glad I pushed the referral.

OP posts:
beepthemeep · 28/02/2018 15:35

I'm sure the breast clinic would rather see you 10 times for nothing than once to tell you that you should have come in earlier, OP.

Statistically you are so so likely to be absolutely fine, but you need that peace of mind.

Over600Ecalypts · 28/02/2018 15:49

You were right to insist. 28 is not too young. It's more common than your GP thinks.

Not all lumps are be felt easily. LO not wanting to feed from that breast can be another sign. Take someone with you just in case it's bad news. Hope you get reassurance though. The breast clinic will take you seriously and look after you.

NanFlanders · 28/02/2018 16:02

No. You are not being unreasonable. The GP didn't take my cousin seriously until her husband (a doctor) insisted on a referral - by which time she had secondaries. You did exactly the right thing - although statistically, it is much more likely to not be cancer, and, even if it is, breast cancer survival rates in the UK are very good and have doubled in the last 40 years. Hope all goes well at the clinic.

OneInEight · 28/02/2018 16:03

YANBU. Dimpling was the first sign of my bc. Thank goodness for doctor google as else I wouldn't have gone to see my gp as I felt no specific lump.

purplecorkheart · 28/02/2018 16:05

You were right. It is most likely nothing but the symptoms you describe are an automatic referral to my local breast clinic (GP showed me the form). You would not get an urgent appointment ( within 2 weeks) but you would get an appointment with 4 - 6 weeks.

If you went private here you could get an appointment within 3 days. Private Clinic works Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

You were right, you can't take risks with your health.

SersioulycanitgetWORSE · 28/02/2018 16:09

The anxiety and worry it's causes... Well done op at least your being seen.

No wonder cancer survival is low compared to other countries.

Original poster
DuckAndPancakes · 28/02/2018 17:27

I was told I’d be seen within two weeks at the practice this morning, not sure if that’s our trusts standard or not. I’d go private if I could afford it but not in the position to financially.

Gonna try and get my mum to come with me if my other half can’t and DF has offered to sit with the kids, bless him.

Doctor google can be awful, but I’d have probably continued to ignore this if it weren’t for a combination of the lady who was trending online, googling and a huge kick up the arse because of DFs diagnosis.

OP posts:
OutyMcOutface · 28/02/2018 17:30

YANBU. NHS GPs notoriously under refer. YANBU to want to make sure there is nothing wrong with you when annunexplaibed cancer symptom appears. I hope it's a false alarm Flowers

Marmalizes · 28/02/2018 18:00

Do not feel as if your a time waster. I don’t want to frighten you (but probably will..sorry) my lovely DiL went to her g.p and was told she was wasting everyone’s time and being a drama queen. She returned with back pain and was told the same but sent to physo who after a few months insisted on a referral for a scan. Turns out because she waited so long she has breast and bone cancer and it’s terminal. Her gorgeous children were 15, 6, ,5 and 4 at the time of her diagnosis. She’s still with us but the treatment is brutal and we’re two years in of a life expectancy of 3-5 years. Your wasting no ones time your being sensible. I wish to god some one anyone had given us this advice. Sooner freighted you than let any family have to live with what’s happening to us. Good luck.

Minxmumma · 28/02/2018 18:08

You are never wasting anyones time in these circumstances. You should have been referred under the maximum 2 week wait system.

From a survivor the clinic usually do a battery of scans and tests, possibly a needle biopsy if the scans indicate a problem and consultation with a specialist surgeon who may give you an answer on the day or you may need to wait for biopsy results.

Better to be safe and get checked always! It is quite likely to be nothing but if not you are fast tracked through into whatever treatment is necessary.

Worrying won't help but I know you can't help it. Please try and avoid Dr Google.

Cookiesandwine · 28/02/2018 18:46

It's a two week wait - that's standard NHS procedure for any cancer investigations.
I googled the bejesus out of my symptoms - I gained nothing!!

If you don't hear anything, don't be afraid to call the GP and let them now. What's the worst that happens? Honestly, make sure you get the best treatment possible. It's more than likely nothing but being involved will get you away from Google!

SunnyCoco · 28/02/2018 19:27

You are absolutely right to insist
There does not need to be a lump for there to be a problem
Anything that is a big change in what’s normal FOR YOU is what you need to take notice of and get investigated.
Google ‘touch look check’ on the breast cancer now website for reliable information on signs and symptoms
Best of luck