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.

I saw three GPs with the same small lump from age 29 to she 36. The first two would not refer me but the third one reluctantly referred me on a non-urgent pathway. It was 6 weeks, the consultant didn’t bother with a proper examination and told me it was totally normal, hormonal. I was handed a leaflet about breast pain. I insisted on a scan because the pain was constant by then. The consultant told me I was wasting NHS resources.

Two weeks later I had a mammogram that showed nothing and an ultrasound, was asked to go back the same week for a biopsy. The following week I was told I had a little cancer. I had a lumpectomy followed by another surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and 5 years of Tamoxifen. The cancer had spread to at least two lymph nodes so 30 lymph nodes were removed. That was 16 years ago.

I don’t want to scare anyone because 9/10 breast lumps are non-cancerous, but I believe it’s best to be referred and to get an ultrasound if you are under 40. I wouldn’t have needed such aggressive treatment if I had been referred the first or second time.

Any news?

After another exam, I had a mammogram and ultrasound at my appointment today and whilst they noted my very old fibroadenoma showed some calcification (shudder...) the tissue elsewhere was normal.

Feeling very grateful for the smooth running of my appointment. I really couldn't praise them highly enough today. I am very lucky I know to live in a city with a number of good hospitals.

Sending positivity for the same outcome to all ✨️

I had my private appointment today. Ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy. Consultant said he is 60 to 70 % sure it's cancer. I have an MRI next week.

Sorry to hear this OP and hope there’s a straightforward way to put you in the non cancer %.

Fingers crossed you're in the other 30-40%