TWW breast lump

[user80]

Hello. Posting for a bit of support.

I found a lump in my breast about 3-4 weeks ago. I didn’t think much of it, and then found it again when copping a feel in the shower last Friday. I saw the GP the same day (awesome surgery), she said it doesn’t feel like anything sinister but they refer all breast lumps; I had a call yesterday with an appt for Thu 8 Aug. That will be just short of 2 weeks from referral to appt.

I wasn’t really worried until I got the call with the appt and looked up the breast clinic website. It all suddenly became worryingly real. The website says not all lumps are referred, but GP said they do refer all lumps 🤔 Website also said they prioritise appts in order of urgency - so now I’m torturing myself that being seen so quickly is a bad sign 😬

Any insight here please? I’m in Wales.

I think (but not certain) that the standard is that you should be seen within two weeks. I am also in Wales. I had a breast lump two years ago…I was seen within about ten days of seeing GP. Saw consultant and had a scan, it turned out to be a cyst which was drained - all on the same day. Try not to worry - easier said than done I know - but it’s wasted energy if it does turn out to be nothing to worry about. Xxx

Please try not to worry - your GP won’t have lied to you and the clinic won’t have been able to guess at what the lump is without scanning you. Be pleased that you have an efficient local service that is working as it should.

Breast clinics are generally brilliant - it’s like a one stop shop of all the possible equipment and specialists they could need to try to help you find out on the day what is going on. Most lumps (I think maybe 90% but might have remembered wrongly) are benign so there is a very strong chance yours will be.

I’ve been there, unfortunately mine was cancer. But if you are unlucky like me there is so much knowledge and experience of treating breast cancer now that it’s not the scary death sentence it once was. The treatment can be tough but mine was 10 years ago now and for the most part a distant memory, it doesn’t define my life.

Best wishes, be kind to yourself on the wait for appointment and try to avoid google!

My GP, who is pretty honest told me they refer all breast lumps at our surgery. She also told me that GPs can generally tell if it's something or nothing. I've had four of the damn things; all turned out to be nothing. 90% of breast lumps are benign.

Thank you all for your reassuring messages. Glad to hear you are far out the other side @madrush. I do know that the odds are in my favour, but you can’t help but worry eh.
I am super glad to have been given an appt so quickly. Just have to stay distracted until 8 Aug.
I actually had a breast reduction on the NHS just over a year ago, and I was so impressed with the care I received. Absolutely no complaints whatsoever - in fact I compared it to winning the lottery at the time 😆

49 hours until my appointment 😵‍💫 I’m getting more and more nervous the closer it gets. Keep feeling the lump in case it mysteriously disappears or I have an epiphany about what it actually is. Have now convinced myself there are 2 lumps 😬 In conclusion, waiting is torture.

The waiting is a form of torture in itself , I’m two weeks from my biopsy’s and my appointment for next Tuesday had been cancelled 🙈…
I poked and prodded my poor boob so much in the lead up to the appointment ! Thursday will soon be here and you’ll hopefully get some answers x

Sorry to hear you’re waiting too @Rockschooldropout Did you already have mammogram and/or ultrasound? How did they go?

Yes they did everything the same day x

@Rockschooldropout did they give you any indication of a diagnosis or what they think is going on?

Yes in my case I was told on the day that it was most likely cancer . I’m going to get my results today and am expecting a cancer diagnosis and idea of a treatment plan x

Okay. Best wishes for your appointment @Rockschooldropout

Best wishes for both of your appointments. The waiting is absolute torture, both for diagnosis and for treatment plan is needed. Hopefully you’ll both get some positive outcomes that settle your stress a little bit soon - take care of yourselves

Thank you x It’s grade 2 invasive ductal cancer so the journey starts now .

Thank you - I have a confirmed cancer diagnosis but im
wishing you all the best for your appointment xxx

I’m so sorry to hear that @Rockschooldropout I am sending you an unMumsnetty virtual hug 💐

Good luck today @user80. I am in the same boat and still awaiting my appointment coming through. Let us know how you get on. X

Thank you ☺️
Good luck today , everything crossed for you xx

I've just got my appointment for the 19th my GP said that she didn't think it was sinister either that in her experience cancerous lumps feel gnarly and not smooth. Made me feel a bit better. Good luck for today.

user80 another thinking about you today.

I have my appointment tomorrow.

It's literally turned my life upside down recently.

Finding it so hard to listen to all the platitudes and to carry on as normal.

hoping for happiness for you today

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Have confidence in your care team - there is (unfortunately) such fine-tuned knowledge about breast cancer that you’ll find you are put on a well trodden treatment path designed for cases like yours. Very best wishes for your treatment, do take the opportunities to meet up with fellow patients. As well as the physical treatment you have to get your head around the cancer diagnosis - groups might help you with that and give you an outlet for the fears and frustrations that you are bound to experience. Take care of yourself

Hope all went well today

Thank you @madrush x I’ve come away for the weekend to visit family and four weeks of utter stress have caught up with me !

@user80 How did it go ? X

Mammogram and ultrasound both clear. They told me to keep an eye on the lump, feel it again in a few weeks and if there are any changes, call them directly. You get 12 months where you don’t have to wait for a GP referral, apparently.

All the best with your treatment @Rockschooldropout x

Great news @user80 🥳
Did they say what it was?