Breast Cancer 2 week pathway

[AnxiousHippie]

Hi all, I apologise if this isn't appropriate for cancer chat but I'm feeling so incredibly alone.
I'm 43. Single parent to two boys (8 & 13). Yesterday I found a lump in my left breast (upper right quadrant). I saw the doctor earlier today and she has put me on the pathway.
I'm a little confused. As when examining me she said she felt similar tissue in my other breast aswell (she wasn't sure if there was a lump or lumpiness). This reassured me somewhat - as I could put it down to normal breast tissue. She kept telling me I need to do genetic testing due to familial bc and that they would do a mammogram. I asked would I also be referred to the breast clinic in the meantime and she replied that she thinks so - she would have to check!!

Since I came home I checked the NHS app to see what she had written and it's left me even more confused and concerned. I've attached it - I'm not sure what I'm looking for here. I just keep going worst case scenarios. Thanks in advance for any insight into what she wrote.

Anyone??

Hey OP, I was put on the 2 week pathway yesterday morning and then got phoned with an appointment for Monday morning at lunchtime yesterday. Which I am really grateful for but now I am worried it must be really bad. I’m sorry I can’t help with your notes, but mine say “suspected breast cancer” even though the GP told me mine may well be a cyst, but it has continued growing whilst trying antibiotics for it.

I would make sure you are referred and then get the hospital to check - GPs are not experts and often wrongly tell people they don't have or do have cancer. When I had cancer the first GP said I didn't have cancer and no referral made, 4.5 months later the second GP said definitely had cancer and she was right. Best thing is to get checked, most turn out to be benign but with a family history as well its very important to get checked. I hope you both get the all clear but if not the best thing is to get it treated straightaway. I found it best to pretend I didn't have cancer and distract myself in the wait, easier said than done though.

Hi op. I had a similar appointment to you and was put on a 2 week pathway. When I checked what the Doctor put he mentioned that he highly suspected cancer. So you can imagine my fear. It turned out it wasn't cancer thankfully

Hi OP, if you look in the 'Documents' section of your app, do you have a 'Fast track referral for suspected breast cancer' (which is a document you can view or download)? If there is, that will mean she's referred you to the breast clinic and they should be in touch to give you an appointment within two weeks. (I've just checked in my app and that's what showed up when I was referred by my GP back in May.) At the breast clinic, they would give a mammogram and maybe also an ultrasound. This is a standard check-up on the 2-week cancer pathway and doesn't mean you have cancer (most lumps turn out to be benign).

If this isn't there, I'd ring first thing Monday and ask for her to refer you.

@ShaunaSadeki Wishing you all the best for your appointment. Let us know how you get on xx

@Penguinsa I've been trying to distract myself by reading or being outside. I just hope I hear something soon - the waiting is horrible. How are you doing now?

@lele2221 I'm so glad everything turned out OK. Even though I'm grateful for the app I think it can really make feelings worse.

@PaperbackWrighter the only thing under documents is the genetic testing forms which they printed out for me. I'll definitely call them tomorrow. She seemed really unsure about protocol and kept saying she'd "have to check with a senior colleague" as to whether or not I'd be put on the pathway.

Thank you all for the replies. I'm finding distraction is helping. But, I will be calling my GP surgery tomorrow to makesure the referral was done xx

Hey @AnxiousHippie how are you doing? Did you manage to find out of your referral has been processed properly?

I went today and the consultant had a good feel & said he really thinks it is a cyst, but he would have thought antibiotics should be working by now, so he did no furthers tests but gave me another week of antibiotics and topical cream. I am to return next week for a mammogram just to be on the safe side. I feel so much better.

Have you shared your worries with a friend or are you keeping it to yourself?

Thanks for replying @ShaunaSadeki. I sent the GP surgery a message asking if they could confirm the referral was done.... it wasn't! The GP did it straight away and I now have an appointment on Monday.

I'm doing OK. Thankfully I have a very supportive network - although it all seems very real now. I've mostly been busying myself with the kids and doing things to distract myself.

I'm so pleased you had a positive appointment. You must be feeling so relieved! xx

I'm 40 I've found numerous lumps since I turned 37 and 3 times I've been referred on the 2ww breast clinic. All were fine. Did the doctor not warn you that the referral says suspected cancer and not to worry as its probably fine but that's just what the referrals called? They tell me that every time because understandably people see the word cancer and freak out. I was found to have cysts twice and lumpy breast tissue the 3rd time and inbetween I had more cysts that have come and gone but now I know how they feel Im a bit more relaxed about them. I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow x

Anxious I am 2.5 years clear now (though 1 year of that was in treatment) but last year and a half have become very fit and well again and never get ill. Travelled a lot, new job coming up, though yesterday my delayed reconstruction got cancelled 2 mins before they were due to start an 11 hour op because of a 2022 blood test which no-one had noticed for 2 years, so I am not happy about that. Though am kind of wondering do I want 3 more years with scars and numb stomach and breast.

I'm glad you chased OP. I also have an appointment at the breast clinic on Monday - which is pretty much two weeks after I went to the GP. I've been a bit all over the place as I also have a two week wait appointment with a gynaecologist on Tuesday 😬

I normally don't meet trouble halfway, but am feeling pretty wobbly.

How are you feeling OP?
Good you chased the referral.

I had a GP appointment this afternoon and just received referral appointment at hospital for tomorrow afternoon! Which I cannot attend as taking daughter to the Eras tour 🤦🏻‍♀️

Have rebooked for next Wednesday, earliest possible. Hope I am.not going to regret it. I don't think referral.time is linked to believed risk...is it?

Also had the same message from doc - likely cyst but lets check to be sure. I have had tenderness in both breasts throughout my cycle for the last few months. She said fact tenderness is in both is reassuring and potentially put it down to menopause (am also 43)

I had a referral about twenty years ago in other breast, including biopsy, but which turned out to be fibroadenoma.

Fingers crossed for all.

@AnxiousHippie how are you bearing up?

Hi all.... today's my appointment. After a really rubbish night's sleep where I've lay awake imagining all sorts of potential outcomes I'm now feeling pretty rubbish.

All my thoughts are "what if...." For the most part I've been OK, I've been distracting myself with the kids and enjoying the weather. It's only now - it all seems very real.

I'm due my period aswell which isn't helping matters and I'm wondering if this will affect the examination? I'm pretty tender in both breasts and my left one is quite achy where the lump is (not sure if it's with prodding 🙄)

I thank you all for the replies. They definitely help me to feel more reassured.
@BatshitCrazyWoman I hope your appointment goes well today and that Tuesday is also a positive outcome. The waiting is just horrible and it's hard not to feel wobbly xx
@Penguinsa I'm so glad you made a full recovery. Reconstruction is a big decision to make and whatever you decide will be the right choice x
@MsInterpret I hope your daughter enjoyed the Eras tour!! And good luck for Wednesday. I'll be keeping fingers crossed for us all 🩷

I am thinking of you today @AnxiousHippie

Just about to leave for my appointment.

Thinking of you and hoping for some good news, @anxioushippie and @batshitcrazywoman

Thinking of you and all who are getting updates this week (including me …).

Thank you @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic I'm getting full results from lumpectomy on Wednesday, plus hopefully results of gene test. Thinking of you and everyone else getting results too.

@PaperbackWrighter me too. You couldn’t make this summer up, eh? Hoping for good news for us all.

My appointment was pretty useless - for some reason no imaging facilities available at the breast clinic. The doctor wanted to do an ultrasound, but obviously couldn't. I'd have to wait two weeks for an urgent ultrasound, then a week later go back to the breast clinic. I've already waited two weeks ...

I've made an appointment in a couple of days with a private breast specialist who will do an ultrasound too. I can't wait any longer.

Hope others got on better than me!

I know, this summer is not a favourite! Next year we'll look back on it!😘

I don't blame you - that's a shocker. I went to my breast clinic and they did a mammogram which they had no one to read results of, and no one to do the ultrasound, so I had to go back a week later. Wasn't too pleased either. They had imaging facilities but no staff. Good luck at the private appointment @BatshitCrazyWoman

@BatshitCrazyWoman bloomin heck as if things weren’t stressful enough eh? Glad you’ve got a private appointment but it shouldn’t be that way! Good luck with it.

Thinking of you today xx

NICE guidelines say that anyone with a breast lump should be put on the 2 week referral pathway. 9/10 breast lumps are benign. You should be seen within 2 weeks.