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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

721 replies

needabitof · 14/10/2021 06:56

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.

OP posts:
gurnnine · 14/10/2021 07:44

I'd keep trying the private hospitals. If you can drive I'd probably be trying every single one within a hundred mile radius! I wouldn't mess with this.
Not because I think it's cancer. It's most likely not, but I wouldn't be able to rest easy until it's diagnosed. In the meantime call your gp and tell them your are in pain and it's getting worse.
A&e won't be able to offer anything extra that your gp can't do

cricketmum84 · 14/10/2021 07:45

I think it might be more sensible to contact your GP first and explain that it's got much bigger and is very painful. They will decide whether you need a&e or not.

ifonly4 · 14/10/2021 07:46

Sadly you can't go to A&E because you're worried sick. However, if you're in unmanageable pain, which the GP doesn't think ABs or other treatment they can prescribe will help with (they can prescribe), then A&E.

Hollyhead · 14/10/2021 07:47

Contact your GP again, a&e won’t necessarily be able to do anything. However your GP might signpost you there.

MumInBrussels · 14/10/2021 07:48

I haven't lived in the UK for a while, so it may no longer be possible, but they used to have urgent care centers/walk in centers, where you could see a doctor for urgent stuff that wasn't necessarily life threatening. If they still exist, that's where I'd go. If they don't exist, I would call 111 and see if they can direct you to the right place - if you go to a&e, you might feel more confident about it if you can say 111 told you to come, at the very least! I'm sorry you're in pain and feeling worse - I do think you should see someone as soon as you can, because it might well be something infected that needs treatment before it gets much worse.

vivainsomnia · 14/10/2021 07:49

Going to A&E won't get you into the breast clinic sooner!
This, please don't clog the system trying to jump queues.

Sadly, this is the reality of our NHS. It's been neglected, staff have left in exodus and now people have to face the reality that they will face delays in accessing urgent treatment.

In your case,the fact that it appeared so quickly and is very painful points more towards a cyst, so even though it is correct to have it investigated, don't count on A&E to do it.

If you need stronger pain killers, contact your GP.

nordicnorth · 14/10/2021 07:50

No it's not an accident or an emergency. As bad as that sounds as to you it is an emergency. A&E can't magic up a mammogram. They don't have that facility in the departments.

There is a specialist pathway for breast screening and you won't get that from A&e. As you GP has already put you on the pathway things are in motion. I'd keep ringing the Breast clinic for an appointment though. The screening pathway is usually very fast so once you are seen everything moves very quickly.

vivainsomnia · 14/10/2021 07:50

If they still exist, that's where I'd go
What's the point? They don't have mammogram or ultrasounds. They will do nothing more than what the GP can.

speakout · 14/10/2021 07:53

OP I would phone BUPA- they have one stop breast clinics all over the UK- and no need for a GP referral.
I was given an appointment the next day-for a one off fee of £380 I had an examination, mammogram, ultrasound and consultation.
Results were given within 15 minutes- I was given the all clear.

I had a breast lump and was given an appointment on the NHS with a 6 week wait.
The £380 spent with Bupa was worth every penny.

GoingBacktoSchool123 · 14/10/2021 07:55

theharleystreetbreastclinic.co.uk

Kim82 · 14/10/2021 07:55

I have had exactly the same issue this week. Saw the gp on Monday with a painful lump which started on Saturday and was referred to the breast clinic under the 2 week wait rule. I was happy with this at the time but on Monday evening the lump suddenly grew much bigger and was so painful I couldn’t lie down or sleep and I was in tears through the night.

I rang the gp again in the morning and asked for some advice and they prescribed antibiotics which I’ve been taking since Tuesday lunch time and they seem to be helping. It’s still very sore but not as bad as it was on Monday evening.

I’d try calling your gp again and ask for antibiotics.

Artdecolover · 14/10/2021 07:55

Private hospitals will only do ROUTINE mammograms
Op will not get a private Mammogram as she is symptomatic and wants a diagnostic Mammogram
Op...if you feel like you are getting an infection toon phone 111 they night be able to help you access emergency care
A&E isn't appropriate

StrongArm · 14/10/2021 07:58

I also used the Bupa one stop clinic when I found a lump in my breast. Had a mammogram, ultrasound and a consultation fairly quickly. Unfortunately I have 'lumpy' breasts so I have to be ultra careful and in the end, they also concluded I needed a CAT scan.

but it was definitely all reassuring and happened much quicker

RosesAndHellebores · 14/10/2021 07:59

Go back to your gp and notify of the pain and growth. Your GP may be able on that basis to get you an earlier appointment. If you begin to feel unwell or the breast is hot there may be an infection and as others have said you need anti-biotics which your go can prescribe.

It's all very well paying for a mammogram and private consultation but if you do need some sort of procedure, then you will be shunted back to the NHS and will have to wait for it. I also suspect that the NHS will take another mammogram rather than rely on one from elsewhere.

GP today and then sit tight op. Good luck.

Pixxie7 · 14/10/2021 08:02

If it’s getting bigger and painful I likely to be anything nasty. I would ring your go in the morning and ask for some antibiotics.

MisgenderedSwan · 14/10/2021 08:02

Where are you? Most areas of the UK have a few private hospitals within driving distance. Have you checked with local Spire, Ramsey, BMI hospitals?

I'm not sure A and E would be able to do much. Also might be worth ringing round some private breast consultants - they may be able to get you in for ultrasound and mammogram quicker after you see them.

MisgenderedSwan · 14/10/2021 08:04

@RosesAndHellebores

Go back to your gp and notify of the pain and growth. Your GP may be able on that basis to get you an earlier appointment. If you begin to feel unwell or the breast is hot there may be an infection and as others have said you need anti-biotics which your go can prescribe.

It's all very well paying for a mammogram and private consultation but if you do need some sort of procedure, then you will be shunted back to the NHS and will have to wait for it. I also suspect that the NHS will take another mammogram rather than rely on one from elsewhere.

GP today and then sit tight op. Good luck.

If you see a consultant privately then they can transfer you to their NHS practice. Also NHS hospitals absolutely do accept mammograms done in the private sector at recognised hospitals and clinics - and it may end up saving the OP some waiting time.
MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 14/10/2021 08:08

GP again, not A&E

speakout · 14/10/2021 08:08

Artdecolover
Private hospitals will only do ROUTINE mammograms
Op will not get a private Mammogram as she is symptomatic and wants a diagnostic Mammogram

Sorry but that is not true.
I have just checked my local Spire hospital- they are absolutely running a diagnostic clinic to investigate breast lumps and symptoms.

Candleabra · 14/10/2021 08:09

Back to GP today. Not a&e.

StCharlotte · 14/10/2021 08:09

@Lougle

The GP won't necessarily be thinking cancer, but they refer under the 2 week wait in case it's cancer. A fast growing mass is less likely to be cancer and more likely to be a cyst or an abscess. If it's getting more painful, it could be an abscess.

If you're in pain, it's growing and you feel that 3 weeks is too long, then A&E sounds like your only option.

And if it is an abcess, I was sent to A&E by my GP to have mine drained so A&E may well be appropriate.
MrsClatterbuck · 14/10/2021 08:09

Here in NI one of the cancer charities do mammograms. They do them at their main place of business. Anything like that in your area.

I know of 2 people who had breast lumps and were seen privately.
I had a lump in 2005 and was seen in the 2 week time frame on the last day which was hard to wait. Fortunately it was a cyst.

speakout · 14/10/2021 08:11

*I also suspect that the NHS will take another mammogram rather than rely on one from elsewhere.
*

No- my BUPA clinic sent my breast results to my GP - who accepted them and tey are included in my medical records.
The consultant at the BUPA clinis was the same one I had been scheduled to see at an appointment 6 weeks later with the NHS.

KitKat1985 · 14/10/2021 08:11

A&E won't get you seen at the breast clinic sooner. I'm sorry as I know it's stressful. Can you call the breast clinic and explain the situation and ask to be put on the cancellation list?

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 14/10/2021 08:14

If you see a consultant privately then they can transfer you to their NHS practice. Also NHS hospitals absolutely do accept mammograms done in the private sector at recognised hospitals and clinics - and it may end up saving the OP some waiting time.

People spout this every time-No, consultants can’t just take your money then fast track you through the NHS-not without a referral letter or phone call from your GP requesting NHS treatment. 1)that’s immoral and unethical 2) funding from the CCG for your treatment is initiated by the referral