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.

See the GP again. Call the clinic. Go to the A&E if you need to. It’s not true that you won’t get seen faster; you were given an appointment based on your condition then and it has changed lots since and progressing fast. They can and will see you sooner if necessary - pain and vomiting would imply that it is. I would not hesitate going to the A&E in your situation and I’m pretty sure that those telling you otherwise wouldn’t think about it twice if it came to their own health It must be terrifying and I have all my fingers crossed for you for a speedy treatment and recovery xx

My friend went private for one appointment, was diagnosed and then had her treatment on NHS.

She was told that you can be slotted back into the NHS easily unless private treatment has begun.

@Movinghouseatlast that is true. But I have heard from a number of people who said waiting lists are as long privately. It is a shortage of staff. Might be more possible if you are prepared to travel to London.

If it’s hot, hard, growing rapidly and you’re feeling unwell then you could have an abscess which would be something to go to A&E for.

Call the breast clinic (I had an appointment this year and the wait it awful) and say you want to be on the list for cancellations. Explain how bad the situation is.

If it’s painful go to a&e but otherwise they might just refer you to the breast clinic and back in a circle.

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to reply and wish me well. I don't have much of an update, but I have managed to move my appointment forward to Xmas Eve as there was a cancellation.
They did confirm I should have been seen by now and there has been some miscommunication as to how urgent my appointment was needed.
I feel a bit of relief knowing I will be seen sooner but I will post an update once I have been for my appointment.
Thank you all again

Good luck OP and I'm glad you're getting seen x

@MamaJustKilledAMan - I’m keeping everything crossed for you OP. I hope you get some good news at your appointment.

Good luck OP. I'm pleased you will be seen earlier.

Best of luck!!

It's ok if you feel you should still call them to try to find an earlier appointment

MY DIL fast tracked three weeks in now her appointment has come through for 14th January, breast Cancer in family, she's 32 in pain with two small children 🙈

I'm glad your application was brought forward . Good luck

Good luck OP. I've been thinking of you

Good luck OP, I'm glad you've managed to get an earlier appointment 💐

So glad you got an earlier appointment.
TBH my experience with various clinics has always been that if you are super flexible and say you will take any cancellation, you can always get seen much earlier.
I hope it goes well.

Good luck for Friday.

Glad you got a earlier appointment. I'm in hospital in Christmas eve to to see my consultant ( but for another condition). I hope you get answers

I’m glad you have a appointment. I’d still be tempted to keep ringing between now and Xmas eve for a last minute cancellation.

I really hope it’s positive news for you

You poor thing, how unbearably stressful.
Thinking of you.

Good news you have an appointment.
Wishing you all the best xx

I'd definitely call again tomorrow and Thursday on the off-chance of being seen sooner. I was at an outpatient appointment today and they said they're getting loads of same day cancellations

I ended up getting a phone call yesterday afternoon asking if I could get to an appointment this morning.
The good news is so far so good it might not be cancer. Fingers crossed for me.
An ultrasound has shown that my breast implant has ruptured and silicone has travelled to my lymph nodes and surrounding breast tissues.
Not the best news to receive as it means they have to come out, but they have also found some fluid around my implant which they are going to test for BIA-ALCL. It's rare but I would rather they did rule it out as my symptoms match the diagnosis.
So it's kind of bittersweet. Treatment is full mastectomy if you must plus removal of lymph nodes so it's not going to be an easy ride but i got the best of a bad bunch.

I thought it might be a rupture, which is truly awful but as you say it could be worse. So sorry 🥺

And E have no facilities for the type of exam your breast requires.

You've waited 6 months (despite family history) so sit tight till your appt.

@2bazookas

Please read the whole thread, especially before you give poor advice

I'm so glad they were able to fit you in sooner OP and that they have at least been able to rule out your worst fears ahead of Christmas, even if it isn't a total all-clear at this stage. I hope that it all goes as smoothly as it can from here. When will you know more?