Huge mass in breast aibu to go to a&e ? **Diagnosis in and treatment underway for the OP** Title edited by MNHQ

[needabitof]

Last week I went to the doctors - my right breast has a big mass in it that has appeared in the previous week.
He checked my liver, lymph nodes, so I know what he's thinking, and referred me to the breast clinic under the 14 day rule. Except it isn't 14 days, it's over three weeks before you can be seen. The gp can do nothing to speed things up apparently.
I thought I need to pay for a private mammogram, it's £400. I'm desperate - imagining the worst constantly.
Managed to get a referral sent by the gp to the private hospital, only to be told they're breast clinic has been cancelled for the next three weeks.
Aibu to go to a&e to get some medical advice or wait? The mass is getting bigger and painful each day.
What would you do? Thanks in advance.

I had the 3D mammogram this morning and also a biopsy. They said something like this presents once or twice a year where they don't know what's going on until the biopsy results are in. I'll see the consultant again at the end of next week, hopefully.

Ah ok so not as unheard of as you would expect albeit rare. You’re a medical mystery OP! Good luck

Hope it's all clear on the biopsy, @needabitof

glad you are getting investigated. I hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

I had something similar years ago where whatever it was kind of grows in on itself in a tangle so feels very lumpy but ultimately benign.
Can't remember the name for it as 22 years ago but took a while including biopsies to get an answer. Glad you have been seen.

I knew someone this happened to and it turned out to be a reaction to something, almost like an allergy

Could it be a lipoma (benign fatty lump)? I'm not sure how fast they can grow though, but they don't show up well on mammograms.

The human body is weird, I’ve had lots of things that I’ve never got the bottom of & the doctors have just had to shrug. And then they’ve disappeared.

@needabitof

I had the 3D mammogram this morning and also a biopsy. They said something like this presents once or twice a year where they don't know what's going on until the biopsy results are in. I'll see the consultant again at the end of next week, hopefully.

If something is wrong you will hear sooner. Been in your shoes twice now. It's terrifying to be honest

Glad you're being seen Op. All the very best.

Fingers crossed for you next week- what a wait!

Good luck 💐

Did they give you anything for the pain, op?
Glad you're being seen and having it looked into thoroughly.

All the best OP, thinking of you

Any news OP?

I hope you’re going ok and don’t have to wait too long.

I saw the consultant today - it's breast cancer. I will have an mri next week then an operation at the beginning of December, either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy depending on the mri results. Not the news I was hoping for but the care is impressive.

I'm sorry to see that news but it's good that you are getting the right care.

@needabitof I'm sorry to see your update. I went through this during lockdown 1. There is a support board on here who are really welcoming if you wish to chat to those who've been through it. My top tip, for what it's worth, is when the radiographer asks you to tape cod liver oil tablets to your nipples, you do not need to look for the candid camera! Apparently it's a thing they do as they glow bright white on the scan so it helps them pinpoint your nipples. personally, I think if they can't figure out that, perhaps it would be better to get someone else to review the scan. Anyway, I'm out the other side of mastectomy, chemo, radio and am waiting for my third kickboxing lesson of the week to start. You CAN do this. Yes, it's shit, but they are treating you - hang on tight to that thought 🤗

So sorry to hear this OP, do you have a good support system around you while you process this news? Hopefully your hospital can put you in touch with the breast specialist nurse team who are very good at talking people through treatment and providing support

I’m so sorry OP. I hope you carry on getting excellent care and have a good support network around you.

Sorry its cancer but pleased you're getting good care.
Very good wishes to you.

So sorry to hear this. Glad you're getting the right care, you can do this x

I'm so sorry to read this. So good you pushed to be seen and get results, so far so good, all the right boxes ticked.

I'm sorry to hear this but I'm pleased you feel you are getting the care you should and being looked after.