To use A&E for suspected breast cancer?

[MamaJustKilledAMan]

Throwaway because my sister also uses MN and I don't want her to read this and twig it's me. Sorry it's long!

So I found a lump in my breast around 6 months ago, I could feel it sometimes and then not others so I put it down to a ripple or something in my breast implant.
However around 3 weeks ago I caught my arm against my breast and it felt a bit tender so I did a BSE and noticed a very solid hard formed lump in my breast tissue, my implant sits behind the muscle so this was definitely a growth in my breast.
I then had a proper good look at my boobs in the mirror and literally almost burst into tears when I noticed my full nipple had inverted and there is a crease right in the middle of my breast from left to right.
I made an appointment with my GP who I saw last week, she immediately referred me to the breast clinic under the 2ww and asked them to see me even more urgently than that due to the fact she believes this could be late stage breast cancer as unfortunately it is sadly rife in our family.
Anyway I've received my appointment, it's on 5th Jan. this makes it almost 5 weeks between my GP appointment and then. The pain has a increased a notch in the last few days, the breast has got a lot harder and is an awful lot bigger than my other.
I'm terrified. I know I aren't the only woman feeling this anxiety or fear and I know times are crazy right now and our NHS resources are much needed but I just can't help but feel this is urgent.
If it is a cyst the rapid rate it's grown in the last 2 weeks and the deformities it has caused to my breast makes me believe it could be at the point of rupturing hence the pain which could cause septacemia. So even though a cyst isn't urgent it could be if it's causing this pain. I just don't know what to do.
I called the breast clinic this morning and gave them my concerns and they promised to call me if there is a cancellation in the next 3 weeks but it really hasn't reassured me even though I know the lovely lady on the phone would have given me an appointment in a heartbeat if she could.

If I'm being out of order please just tell me as I maybe I could do with a reality check. I haven't slept for 48 hours because my mind is on overdrive. I have exhausted Google I've spent all of my time online and I'm afraid I've become obsessed with it. The not knowing is the worst. Any advice really will be much appreciated.

I would go. Good luck OP xxx

Honestly in your position I would go to A&E. If it is rapidly growing late stage breast cancer that is an emergency. Perhaps they'll just send you home and you'll have to ring the breast clinic every day, but I couldn't not try everything to get help sooner.

As others have said if at all possible I'd pay for a private check rather than go to A&E. If you pick a consultant that does NHS work they can always get you seen on the NHS if a problem is found. I've done that for lots of things. Plus seeing someone private doesn't stop you keeping your NHS appointment.

If it is a cyst a GP should deal with it as urgent unless it pops and gives you blood posining.if it pops and raptures the skins then dress it and change regularly. The clinic will be better at treating it long term than a&e.

My husband has had big cysts naturally popped and never been to a&e just kept it clean and waited on speclist to either cancel or go ahead with operation to remove it all.

I dont think its a case of A&E though you must be worried sick. I agree with going private if you can afford it. Though I expect these appointments will be delayed because of Christmas. But if you suspect sepsis maybe A&E. As that would be an emergency.

Agree with the PP who says to be a pest. I had cancer (not breast) in my 20s and had a suspected relapse last year. It has all turned out fine (despite a year of uncertainty) but I was told I'd be waiting months for a scan because of covid and just kept calling the booking centre. On the second try I got a cancellation the next day.

I am not one for being a pest and in my head I try to be a good patient. But something snapped when I realised if this was something and they took months to scan, then I was in big trouble. Fuck being a good, polite patient. Be a pest.

(Also, I agree with the private route, that was my next option and would have been worth it)

Dear OP, so sorry that you have this awful worry. If I were you, this moment I would wrap myself up in comfy clothes, pack a big handbag with snacks, a hot drink, a good book and headphones to listen to a podcast. I would head straight to A&E making no apology about going. I would share concerns about sepsis/severe pain and ask for review. Describe the vomiting. In your situation I would push to be seen soon.
As others have said, if you have any way of seeing someone privately, do so. In the South West the Spire Hospital at Bristol operate an amazing one stop breast clinic. It is £250 if I recall correctly. I expect that there are similar services around the country.
Frankly, the worry you are experiencing will only continue to be burdensome over the coming days if you don't go. I am praying for all to be well for you and for you to have the confidence to put yourself first and feel able to go to A&E. Can you leave your son with a partner tonight? You will have a long wait at A&E but you will have a book, snacks and podcasts to listen to. Xx

I had a very large cyst in my armpit that as soon as my GP saw, they referred me for surgery to drain it the next day due to the risk of septicaemia. Have you got a fever? If so that is indicative of an infection and I think you should go to A&E.

Definitely tell them how close you live and say you're available for any last minute cancellations
I did that while waiting for a neurosurgeon and they rang to say they had a consultant free "not her usual thing but she can see you" and could I get there in 30 mins

The GP has already referred her as an urgent 2ww though which is as urgent as it gets.

I would phone the breast clinic every day and say that you are terrified as it is changing so rapidly. I'd be very surprised if they didn't fit you in. Very very best of luck.

@2Rebecca

The GP has already referred her as an urgent 2ww though which is as urgent as it gets.

No, it's the most urgent pathway. That doesn't mean they can't slot you in sooner. The NHS prioritise patients according to clinical presentation. The 2WW is the deadline, not the required wait.

And OP will have been waiting 5 weeks which is well beyond the 2WW and isn't acceptable. Covid, Christmas, whatever. Cancer doesn't wait and neither should anyone with significant symptoms and genetic history. GPs absolutely can (and do) push for more urgent appts as needed.

Hi OP

I wanted to share a bit of insight as I was diagnosed with late stage (stage 4) breast cancer in my early 30s.

Your symptoms sound similar to mine - a thickening of the breast tissue rather than a lump which was rapidly growing and painful, causing my boob to change shape and my nipple to invert. THAT SAID, try to remember that 90% of referrals turn out not to be cancer, there are so many reasons for breast lumps, bumps and changes that I wouldn't jump to the worst conclusion yet.

If it is cancer, then I was reassured to learn that fast growing tumours are often fast shrinking with treatment - this was certainly the case with mine.

I'm doing well 2.5 years down the line of a stage 4 diagnosis - currently no evidence of active disease and living a pretty normal life with no side effects from my current treatment, and lots of optimism about my future. While I have every hope you're not in the same boat - perhaps my experience gives some comfort that even the worst outcomes are still full of hope and options. (I also have a son, he was 9 when I am diagnosed and I'm still here watching him morph into a grumpy teenager 😁).

Do whatever you can to get seen quickly: A&E, private, or calling the breast clinic daily are all valid options.

Keep us posted if you feel able.

Had a breast infection twice GP concerned fast tracked me. In the meantime I had antibiotics which cleared up the pain.

You are vomiting which makes me think you do have an infection. Check your temperature mine was up unbeknownst to me. Your implant is an added concern
Go back to the GP check for redness or red lines on the breast under your arms. Wear a non wired unsexy bra day and night for support taking the strain off your breast tissue

Go to A and E you're in pain and entitled to go x

Absolutely go to A&E @MamaJustKilledAMan You need urgent medical attention

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Hope you get seen really soon.

I would have thought cancellations are very likely with covid rife. I would phone your GP in the morning and emphasise this - your GP can push for you be seen sooner. I would also phone the clinic and say again what is happening and that you will take any cancellation no matter how last minute.
You can try private. Be aware thought that ins parts of the country you tend to wait as long privately as you do for the NHs.

A&E won't be able to do much for you. They won't have the state of the art mammogram machines with the right kind of specialists that you'll get at the breast clinic. I think it would be a waste of everyone's time. I'd keep phoning to ask if there's been a cancellation.

@CrotchetyQuaver

A&E won't be able to do much for you. They won't have the state of the art mammogram machines with the right kind of specialists that you'll get at the breast clinic. I think it would be a waste of everyone's time. I'd keep phoning to ask if there's been a cancellation.

They could assess for sepsis.

They could possibly spot anything else which is urgent. They have access to surgeons, you name it for urgent care.

A&E can do a lot for anything that is urgent. That's why they have 'emergency' in the title.

A&E will not do any ultrasound or x ray of breasts, they can assess for sepsis if you are concerned about that. My DD has an auto inflammatory condition that causes abscesses and has been to A&E with massive breast lumps before and they always send her to the breast unit.

My breast cancer was a huge lump by the time it was found and had spread right through my armpit. It was found during tests from discovering another cancer but it wasn’t painful. I’ve had a good response to chemo and surgery over the last year so there are positive stories out there.

I would contact the breast unit to ask them to offer you a cancellation if they have one, emphasise you can be there in 3 minutes. I know ours is working right to Christmas Eve because I was there yesterday discussing it whilst waiting to see my surgeon.
I really hope it turns out to be nothing much and it gets treated soon.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. You need urgent care. If I were you, and only lived 3 minutes from the breast clinic, I would probably turn up at reception first thing in the morning. Explain your concerns and plead with them.
I'd turn up every day.

Take a picture and email it to the clinic?

I would also explain to the breast clinic you are literally around the corner and can be there very quickly if there’s a short notice cancellation. It’s unlikely with covid, but would they let you sit in? Agree sending a pic could work too.

What an awful worry for you op.

I'd go to A&E. If you're in severe pain etc, then it's definitely worth a try. The last time I was in A&E was with DM - people were in there with splinters and other very minor ailments so don't worry about attending.
Also ring the breast clinic several times a day just in case they do have a cancellation at short notice.
Can your GP check other local hospitals to see if you can get seen quicker?

Only other option is to go private, at least for an initial scan. I'm not sure how soon you'd be seen though with covid.

Thinking of you x