I found a lump

[aodirjjd]

Sorry you probably get hundreds of these on the board. I’m only 35 and found a breast lump when showering today. I’m shit scared and just really worried that I won’t get seen quickly because the nhs is such a mess right now. I’m going to call gp in morning and beg for an appt.

do all lumps get referred to breast clinic or is there chance doctor will poke it and say it’s not needed ? Are people still actually seen in two weeks if a referral is needed ? I’ve spent all evening googling private breast scans trying to get an idea of costs because I can’t bear the idea of waiting weeks for a referral that is delayed or some other drama like lost test results. Has anyone done this? It seems initial appt is £250 which I could afford but I wasn’t sure how much biopsy’s etc might run too. If I’m seen with nhs do I have to wait ages for any results or can they give me all clear quite quickly from breast clinics?

I’ve got a holiday in 6 week that I’m desperate to go on as well. I know logically this lump is almost definitely nothing and I’m really upset that if I don’t get seen quickly I might struggle to get travel insurance.

62 attempts but have an appt for 11:40! Stupid thing is when I actually got on phone I was only position 1 in queue so they obviously have turned queing function off.

@aodirjjd hope appointment goes okay

Op when I found a breast lump my GP sent to the hospital. Had mammogram, ultrasound and needle biopsy done in one day. Results in a week, and on the NHS. They are usually very quick at this. Good luck and keep us updated x

If your lump is smooth and moveable then it’s highly likely to be a cyst or fibrodaema. Obviously this isn’t always accurate and you need all the tests but if that’s the case and especially if it appeared quickly and is quite big this is the more likely but not definite outcome. I have incredibly lumpy breasts and have had more ultrasound and mammograms than I can count on them and my consultant gave me this rule of thumb. Obviously hard non moveable lumps are not automatically cancer so everything must be checked

Don't let the GP or anyone fob you off due to your age. I was 27 when I was diagnosed and everyone along the journey told me it was so so rare at that age. But I'm living proof it happens. It's so much more likely to be benign but even if it is cancer it doesn't mean a death sentence. I needed surgery, major surgery but no chemo etc and I'm almost 6 years all clear.

I saw GP on the 4th. Appointment at scary sounding breast cancer clinic on the 12th. Examined and told that I have suspicions changes and will get a letter in the next two weeks for a mammogram and ultrasound. A week on I've heard nothing. I can't eat or sleep. Clearly some places do a one stop appointment on the NHS, but not this one. I looked at a private clinic but that wasn't until 3 May.

I hope you get a faster answer than me OP. It's utterly nerve wracking. You are young so it's most likely to be a cyst. Fingers crossed for you. Mine is definitely not a cyst as it's a painful hard area.

I found a lump in September, was seen within 2 weeks and my GP just referred me after a phone appointment as she said there was no point examining me. After a few failed attempts to get a biopsy I had a lumpectomy in early November and they found a small tumour, so was sent to the oncologist who recommended radiotherapy. I had that in January and am now ok again.

The whole process was pretty smooth, there was just quite a lot of coming and going between the clinic and the surgeon because of the problems getting a decent biopsy.

I'm 53 and pretty much through the menopause,

I found a lump last year at 36, went to the doctors who said it felt like a cyst but would refer me under the 2WW, it actually took four weeks to be seen because they were busy - in that time the lump grew quickly but my doctors still thought it felt like a cyst.

Turns out it wasn't a cyst, it was cancer - on my first appointment they did biopsies, mammogram and ultrasound so it moved very fast. Cancer confirmed within two weeks and chemo started a couple of weeks later.

I had my last chemo this week and now waiting for surgery.

If it is cancer, it can be dealt with and treatments are excellent.

On the two week referral. My heart sunk a bit when she found the lump straight away. I think there was a part of me that thought she’d dig around and say everything just felt like normal breast structure and I’d come home feeling a bit silly. I have really small boobs though so I guess less place to hide. And it’s obviously good I didn’t have to argue for a referral. I feel quite sick now though I just hope that appt comes soon

I had a lump in my breast late 20’s and another one late 40’s, both times I freaked out and both times I was sent for a mammogram, they were fat lumps that eventually dissapeared.

Remember that most lumps are nothing serious, but absolutely best to get it checked out. Your appointment might not come until next week, but most likely it will be within the 2 weeks.

Fingers crossed for you that it's a cyst. Now I know this is harder said than done, but fill the next week with activities so you can't think about it too much. Sending hugs.

thank you. that’s good advice. I’m with the inlaws this weekend which is a good distraction.

i do feel a bit torn because I feel like I want to talk about it with my family for support but I don’t want to worry anyone when it’s 99% a cyst . I have a partner though who knows and has been really helpful. So I think I’ll keep it between us.

I just need to keep busy for the next couple of weeks and keep telling myself that 1 in 100 referrals to this clinic are benign

i am climbing the walls waiting to hear when my appt is. I’ve got today of work as was away this weekend. Was supppsed to be out and about but it got cancelled. Just been glued to my phone for 5 hours refreshing the nhs app which I know is really pointless. Partner keeps trying to suggest I read a book or watch a film but I can’t face any of it.

Aw Op that sounds stressful!

Have you seen the dropout on BBC iPlayer? Saw it recently and it was really good! Maybe we can help you find something to distract yourself? What do you like doing usually?

Do you have the mind app also? Maybe doing some meditation, listening to calming music while you have a nice long shower/bath might help?

Or if relaxing is no good, do you have any life admin to sort out? Any furniture that needs replacing? Or a party that needs planning? What about looking at what activities you'll do on your holiday in 6 weeks, getting trip to the airport all organized, etc?

I feel for you OP; waiting for that appointment really is the hardest part, whatever the outcome. Try and keep yourself busy, and away from your phone and Google - easier said than done, I know, but it won't hurry things along by constantly checking it. I hope everything turns out well for you.

Im going through the same - off to GP today - reading these posts for a bit of perspective as i too am climbing the walls here! It's just awful.

Hope everything turns out okay for you OP - as people are saying, most turn out to be nothing serious and even if it is, there's options for treatment etc. I have to keep telling myself this as I'm terrified of my daughter being left with no mum :-(

I've been to breast clinic. I found a lump and saw my GP same day I called the surgery.
The Dr had a feel and said she wasn't concerned, but because it's there she had to follow protocol and I got referred on the 2 week cancer pathway.
I had my breast clinic appointment just after 2 weeks since when I originally saw the GP.
They tell you there and then at the breast clinic if it's cancer or not (after physical examination, mammogram & ultrasound). I was there for 1 hr 30 mins in total, it was very efficient, they don't keep you waiting. Mine turned out to be normal breast tissue & I worried myself sick.
Stats are 9/10 referrals turn out not to be cancer, so that's on your side.
Make sure you get in touch with GP asap, they treat it very seriously even if they don't think it is cancer.

Just seen you already saw your GP, that's great.
Breast clinic rang me, so they will probably call.
I wish you all the best & update us once you've been. I know it's a very scary feeling being on the 2 week pathway but it doesn't mean it's cancer. Wish I told myself that when I was on it. I literally made myself so ill and had terrible mental health/anxiety because of it.

I empathise OP, I’ve been on the 2 week pathway three times over 9 years, none were cancerous, one was excised, one aspirated, one just left and gets reviewed when I have my mammogram.
Each time I was an utter wreck 🙄
Hopefully you’ll be seen soon 🙏🤞🏻

Sudden lumps are usually a blockage or infection, long term lumps that slowly grow are the worry, finding out whether it has now grown to a size to find or whether it is a more sudden formation is a big part of knowing the likelihood of whether the issue is mostly benign. I wish the absolute best for you and your results. I have been told I had cancer and likely 3 years to live (at the oncology appointment 2 weeks later we found it was a duct blockage and no issue!) and now 10 years later that I have an "easy" cancer which will be worked on next month. Neither situation is/was any fun; I very much empathize!

Glad you have got through and are on 2ww. Your age is definitely on your side and about 9 out of 10 are not cancer. Mine was and it did come on suddenly as a large lump - lobular breast cancer grows as a spidersweb then forms a lump at end so all lumps do need to be checked out.

Thank you for all your messages today. I put my phone away and just rearranged all the kitchen cupboards then felt able to read which helped. Have just rechecked the app now and no appt so I’m presuming I won’t hear today. The ap says I should be contacted BY Tuesday 23rd and to call if I’m not. I’m not sure if that means I should have heard today and should chase them up tomorrow if I should be hearing from them by end of tomorrow?

what a rubbish waste of annual leave anyway. I think I’ll feel a lot better when I know when the appt is even if it’s not for a bit longer.

Sorry I forgot to correct my last post, they tell you there & then if it isn't cancer, but if it looks like it can be or looks suspicious then they take a biopsy there & then & you wait for the results of that. That can take a few weeks I think.
I'm sure everything will be fine tho. Stats are on your side.
You can drive yourself nuts waiting for the call. NHS app wasn't accurate for me when waiting on the 2WW as they called a few days after the app said they should.

Thank you that’s helpful information. I think I’ll go to clinic alone but take my partner to the next appt if there is one.

also helpful about the app. I am quite scared of getting messed around and delays that would cause so on high alert for it. I would never have thought it should have come as quick as yesteday if app hadn’t said that! There is a number to call but I think I’ll do it tomorrow not today as planned.